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Meet Canada's first iPhone buyer

OLIVER MOORE AND MATT TREVISAN

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 8:20 AM EDT 11/07/08

Halifax casino employee stood in line for almost six hours to buy the device ...Read the full article

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  1. K D from Canada writes: Who would stand in line for this? Apple is so over rated and Rogers is ripping people off on this product.

    Pass.
  2. Pierre Santa Ana from Costa Rica writes: This should have been a fun and cool event because the iPhone seems to be on of the great innovations of this decade.

    Rogers' marketing team deserves a medal for making of this a true PR disaster. Or, was is a CEO decision? Sounds more like it.

    Nevertheless, Canadians deserve what is happening to them. Ultimately, the ones to blame are the CRTC and the politicians who maintain this last-century creature.
  3. Sean O'Reilly from Kitchener, Canada writes: Pathetic.........
  4. F/A josquin from Canada writes:

    the product is interesting

    the lineup thing is boring
  5. Danny Major from Calgary, Canada writes: The only thing weaker than lining up for a consumer product is the globe reporting on it... and me commenting on the stupid story.
  6. F/A josquin from Canada writes:
    Surely there are better things in life to line up for?

    Something with a little heart, something with a little soul.

    A phone/camera/Ipod-------Boring
  7. SZ LSK from Canada writes: How pathetic that one would waste precious hours of their life lining up. When I read stories like this, I think of guru investors who would say 'buy shares instead'. Let them wait in line and buy a silly phone that will probably be cheaper in a couple weeks...I'll buy shares of Apple and Rogers.
  8. Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: Too many people in this world with too much money, and, who need to get a life. :-(
  9. Darcy D from Ottawa, Canada writes: Its like opening night for a Star Wars movie, only the nerds left their costumes at home!
  10. I_Hate_David Miller from Toronto, Canada writes: I'm waiting for the new Instinct that Bell will be offering in under a month. The monthly costs will be far less and I try to give Ted as few of my hard earned $$$ as I can...Bell, StarChoice, etc...you save hundreds a month if you do the math.
  11. John Doucette from Canada writes: Christian, get a life!
  12. Tom Araya from Canada writes: this is a ridiculous story.

    i've had an iphone for 6 months and i certainly wasn't the first!
  13. Ob Server from Canada writes: You know you are desperately in need of a life when......: You line up 6 hours to get a cell phone and then do interviews about it. I hate crApple stuff...its all hype...BB's the real thing.
  14. C C from Canada writes: Considering the cost of the phone and contract, I'm surprised that more of these lineups are targets of crime. These people are screaming, 'I have $4000 to burn on the iPhone. Rob me!'
  15. Hail to the Conservatives ! from London, Canada writes: I really do not understand the appeal of the Iphone. It is not a new phenomena - talk about a marketing score for apple. Grab any PDA with Windows Mobile on it, expand the memory, and boom - there is your Iphone. They have the ability to play divx movies, install new applications and games, listen to mp3s, use MsWord and Excel, Adobe Acrobat, etc, etc etc. My wife and I picked some up used two years ago for $100 each. They are great.
  16. MKK Flatron from Canada writes: Idiot. People like him just makes us so much more vulnerable to predatory pricing practices.

    At any rate, he wasn't the first to buy an iPhone in Canada. Are you people at the G&M mad? They were selling it months ago at your local Chinese malls!
  17. David Gehring from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada writes: So some casino worker waited over 5 hours in a line to buy an overpriced smart phone. He should put in 5 hours of volunteer work then take all of that money that he makes robbing the poor and donate it to charity. This guy obviously has too much money and time on his hands.
  18. Common Sense from Laughs, Canada writes: 'BB's the real thing.'

    Agreed! And RIM's Canadian.
  19. Jon O from Canada writes: Wow - apparently a lot of bitter people read the G&M online. I don't understand why so many people are ready to hate a guy they've never met because he was excited to buy a product that he wanted. And you're mocking of him....
  20. vincent furnier from Montreal, Canada writes: I'm one of the old school who can remember a time when the morning paper would come stuffed with advertising fliers - not BE the advertising flier.
  21. Phil M from Toronto, Canada writes: I can't believe the G&M supports this nonsense by printing these stories. Everyone knows Apple hires locals to stand outside waiting for their product releases. Gah! The real story will be how many people are buying these things in a week. I'm getting very tired of how the online G&M basically rehashes product advertisements as 'news'.
  22. Anthony B from Maritimes, Canada writes: Imagine that! Someone actually standing in line for 6 hours to get scr*w*d, and then saying, 'There was a lot of hype for it – I don't know if it will live up to it.' He must be the same guy who owns all those shares in the Brooklyn Bridge and Florida swampland.
  23. E B from Canada writes: 'fools rush in'
  24. J M from Calgaristan, Canada writes: No wonder Al Quaeda hates us. We deserve annihilation or at least those clones do.
  25. Jim Ray from the GTA, Canada writes: I must be really stupid. Or old. Or both. I don't really know what an i-phone is. Maybe I'm just too busy working, looking after my family, etc.
  26. Karen Lieberman from Toronto, Canada writes: baaa..... baaaaa.....
  27. Kim Philby from Canada writes: I won't even comment on lining up for hours for this thing. What's with the obsession with all these little electronic gizmos? Do people really think owning this stuff is going to make for a life-altering experience?

    Ah well...I guess it's symptomatic of the consumer culture: buy your way to happiness.
  28. Billy Talon from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Meet Canada's first iPhone buyer'

    Meet Canada's first loser.
  29. Sask Langer from Canada writes: Is this guy in the photo actually wearing a black beret?

    Hello, walking apple fanboy stereotype? Yeah, we have a black turtleneck and undeserved sense of self-superiority for you.
  30. Piltdown Man from Canada writes: Jim Ray from the GTA, Canada writes: I must be really stupid. Or old. Or both. I don't really know what an i-phone is. Maybe I'm just too busy working, looking after my family, etc.

    so you are saying that you need to be yound AND smart to know what an iphone is and perhaps even buy one? apparently not judging from this lummox's behaviour - clearly not a reader of these comment boards.
  31. Charlie R from Richmond Hill, Canada writes: wow... I really feel for this guy. Have any of you been in a casino lately??? I was the Fallsview casino in Niagara on sunday with my inlaws. It has got to be the most depressing place on earth. I can't even begin to imagine having to work there. This guy must be close to going postal. Working there has driven him to buy this thing just to bring him some temporary joy.

    If I got off work at 2:15 in the morning, the first thing I'd do is head straight home to my wife/girlfriend/partner and be thankful I'm out of that dreadful place.
  32. Nadia Boudkina from Ottawa, Canada writes: “I feel so happy I've finally got hold of one of these. I've never felt an iPhone before,&8221; Mr. Brown said, gripping his new phone..............

    WOW! While people in impoverished countries line up in hopes of getting a tiny portion of food, we - Canadians - cannot wait for a stupid phone! This is ridiculous! Wake up, people, and see how many things we take for granted. You don't NEED an iPhone.....
  33. Jim Ray from the GTA, Canada writes: Okay, seriously, can someone please humour me here. What could I do with an i-phone that I can't do with my blackberry? Specificly, what additional features are worth camping out in the rain all night?
  34. muriel z from Toronto, Canada writes: One more 'TOY' to play with in the car, to take your mind off 'safe driving'.

    I can't imagine how we got through life, when the only phones were at home or in a call box.

    For business calls, you waited until you got to the office and the world didn't grind to a halt.

    Boy; we were underprivileged then , life was such a drag then.
  35. Peter S from Toronto, Canada writes: How pathetic. To quote a man I heard on CBC the other morning talking about these people who line up for a new gadget - they're poster children for the Get a Life club.
  36. Peter S from Toronto, Canada writes: Phil M from Toronto, Canada writes: I can't believe the G&M supports this nonsense by printing these stories. Everyone knows Apple hires locals to stand outside waiting for their product releases. Gah! The real story will be how many people are buying these things in a week. I'm getting very tired of how the online G&M basically rehashes product advertisements as 'news'.

    Couldn't agree more - our so called news media has become puppets of the marketing hype machine.
  37. Any Guy At Home from Canada writes: $4,000 over 3 years for a phone? You have to have your head read to pay this kind of dough. 'There's one born every minute' - PT Barnum. In this case, there will be millions of them....
  38. Charles Murray from Toronto, Canada writes: It's the absolute fanboys who can't help themselves. After the initial rush, the fingernails will be drumming. Canadian consumers are fed up with state sponsored monopolies.
  39. Steven B from Ottawa, Canada writes: This guy is not the first Canadian to buy an iPhone in Canada! There are already several thousands of iPhones that are owned by Canadians and actively in use (legally) in Canada, that were purchased on a 're-sell' market in Canada. I've been talking, surfing, showing pictures, listening to music on my iPhone for several months. Unless you are a business person who wants the push email capabilities, and a little more 'edge' speed, the previous gen phone has all the 'wow'ness' that the current model does.
  40. none of your business from leningrad, Russian Federation writes: 'Meet Canada's first iPhone buyer

    Halifax casino employee stood in line for almost six hours overnight to buy the device...'

    what a pathetic loser!
  41. Tough Camper from Canada writes: CENSORSHIP from the 'newspaper'

    Notice how this paper looks more and more a slave to corporate interests? This ROBBERS/Apple thing is just the latest.

    There's another article about how 1500 people PER STORE were lined up all over Japan, and lest anyone get in there and comment on their superior networks, ubiquitous coverage and reasonable rates, the Globe has CLOSED COMMENTS!!

    Man, this 'newspaper' veneer is getting pretty thin!!
  42. Robert Vincent from Winnipeg, Canada writes: There is a difference between 'need' and 'want.' The i-phone may be something one 'wants'. In that circumstance, if there is objectionalble pricing involved, DON'T BUY IT. It's no different than not buying from Exxon. Unfortunately, the lemming-like instinct to 'be cool' and to 'be the first ony your block to ...' over rides the best tools consumers have to control prices. We pay too much for almost everything on this basis.
  43. Arec Bardwin from Canada writes: He stood in line to buy a phone. Are there limited supplies? Has apple stopped making them?

    I'm guessing this guy is just killer with the ladies.

    Of course,
    by ladies I mean credit card funded internet ladies.

    Loser.
  44. ken g from Canadian in Mexico, Canada writes: This goes to show you the 'shift' that is happening in the world of economics and entertainment. We now are willing to spend thousands of dollars a year on a telephone. The entertainment industry should take note: 'This money is NOT going to you.'
  45. daver d from Canada writes: sucka
  46. Crusty Curmudgeon from Ottawa, Canada writes:
    A fool with a tool (or is that an iPhone) is still a fool.
  47. Imperial K from Canada writes: I agree with an earlier poster, this isn't newsworthy, and I too should be 'slapped' for taking the time to mention that it isn't.

    Look...a new chair!

    Man drinks bottle of wine....!

    WoW!
  48. Jack Sprat from Dry Gulch, Canada writes: Jim Ray from the GTA, Canada writes: Okay, seriously, can someone please humour me here. What could I do with an i-phone that I can't do with my blackberry? Specificly, what additional features are worth camping out in the rain all night?

    Well Jim, you can get 'Visual Voicemail'. I know that once you know this you'll be running right down to the Rogers store to buy one right'. Ya I thought so.
  49. Ob Server from Canada writes: Any Guy.....Did you say $4,000 over 3 years for this toy?? If thats the price, it is a serious rip off. I use my BB for email, text, l-distance, browsing and more, all unlimited and it will cost about $2200 over 3 years. Thats about 1/2 the price for a superior product. Incredible...!!
  50. As Inch Live I from Toronto, Canada writes:

    The guy works for a casino and he is buying an iPhone? Something tells me this guy has his priorities all mixed up. Instead of blowing the money it cost to buy a worthless piece of junk that will be obsolete in 6 months, he'd be better off using that money to take some courses to improve his lot in life and move beyond his deadend job. Besides, having seen this guys picture, it's not like being the first person in Canada to have an iPhone is going to get this chump laid.

    http://images.theglobeandmail.com
  51. Not a clueless, bitter armchair critic from Ottawa, Canada writes: So all you smug and patronizng social critics (54 and counting) know better how these people should be spending their lives? And talk about a sheep-like herd ... pathetic hypocrites.
  52. Joe Calgarian from Canada writes: iPhone meet Virgin...
  53. double mike from Canada writes: .
    Poor, poor silly lemmings :(
  54. You're most likely redundant from Canada writes: 'Christian Meagher yawned as he did his fifth interview of the morning. '

    As did I when I read what you did.

    If I had to make a wild guess this guy's bedroom is probably covered with various Star Trek and Star Wars paraphernalia as well.
  55. Beach Bum from Canada writes: You couldn't wait a week? What happens when apple brings out a new generation in 3 months? sucker.

    Am I the only one who still uses a cellphone to well...call people? I mean now you have a computer in your pocket, at home, at the office...you will never be alone again!
  56. More CO2 Gas from Canada writes: A fool and his money are soon parted. I can see a person wanting a cell phone if they are in jail. A land line and a answering machine work well for our family.
  57. J S from Edmonton, Canada writes: Ob Server from Canada writes: You know you are desperately in need of a life when......: You line up 6 hours to get a cell phone and then do interviews about it. I hate crApple stuff...its all hype...BB's the real thing.

    --

    Actually, I think you may be in need of a life if what you do is come on to the G&M comments section and slag someone else for no particular reason.

    Dude wandered over to the store after work and happened to be the first in line. I'd take that opportunity, too. It got him a few interviews and a new phone. Sure, it'll be obsolete in a few months, but he'll have stories to tell forever. Nothing wrong with that.
  58. Billy Talon from Toronto, Canada writes: Jon O from Canada writes: Wow - apparently a lot of bitter people read the G&M online. I don't understand why so many people are ready to hate a guy they've never met because he was excited to buy a product that he wanted. And you're mocking of him....

    **

    I don't hate him - I just don't understand lining up for 6 hours for the iphone. It's just a gadget - nothing more, nothing less.
  59. Tony . from Waterloo, Canada writes:
    I can't decide what is the most humorous part of this article... the part about him not remembering his first kiss but hopefully remembering his first iPhone... Or the fact that this guy has a girlfriend! :)

    Seriously though, congrats to Christian on being first, and probably one of the only buyers of the iPhone in Canada. He's excited about it so let's let him have his fun for at least a month until his first bill arrives!
  60. J S from Edmonton, Canada writes: Ob Server from Canada writes: Any Guy.....Did you say $4,000 over 3 years for this toy?? If thats the price, it is a serious rip off. I use my BB for email, text, l-distance, browsing and more, all unlimited and it will cost about $2200 over 3 years. Thats about 1/2 the price for a superior product. Incredible...!!

    --
    It isn't $4000 anymore. You can sign on for a 3 year contract and get 6GB of data transfer for $30 a month on top of any voice plan. That's $1080 over 3 years (not including a voice plan, which can be as cheap or expensive as you want). While I have nothing against the blackberry, I'd like to point out that this is considerably better than any BB plan (the $30 BB data plan from Rogers only gives you 300MB of data).

    As for the blackberry being a superior product, well, I don't know exactly what gives you that idea. Some people prefer the physical keyboard, though, which is fair. To each their own, I guess.
  61. As Inch Live I from Toronto, Canada writes:

    $4000 over a 3-year contract just to have an iPhone. Now look at this as a percentage of this chump's annual gross income (probably in the range of 6% since the average casino worker in Canada earns less than $11/hr) and see what a moronic purchase this was for him. Who spends 6% of their annual gross income on a toy that will be obsolete in 6 months? Darwin was right - there's a reason that this guy is working at a casino.
  62. david b from Ottawa, Canada writes: My local Rogers Plus outlet in Ottawa had more staff and security outside when it opened this morning than it had customers.

    In Canada, it seems like the iPhone has been transformed from a cool Apple product into another overpriced Rogers product backed by Rogers' disdain for their customers. Apple has likely learned a lesson about the need to be more careful about choosing its business partners and aggressive in pursuing its desired pricing for voice and data services.
  63. Beach Bum from Canada writes: Hey--I used to work in a casino (when I was in school) and the employees had amazing salaries and great tips. Lots of chump change to spend on stupid gadgets!

    ---
    So I need a new phone because my slightly over a year old cell is now falling apart? What do I do to avoid being raped by my cell company?
  64. 5and man from Toronto, Canada writes: I got mine in Feb., and I'm sure others before that.

    Somebody fire your Copy Editor!
  65. Ted F. Quinn from Cobourg, Canada writes: For this story to even make it to press, it has got to be a very slow news day in Canada.
  66. Matthew Carere from Victoria, Canada writes: First iPhone? Many Canadians have owned this phone for that last year and have unlocked to be able to use it in Canada.

    This is not a news worthy story. The Globe should investigate why Canadians are forced to pay the highest mobile phone rates, data rates, and text rates in the world. That would be worth reading
  67. Keith B from Canada writes: Losers!!!!
  68. As Inch Live I from Toronto, Canada writes:

    A friend of mine who lives in the U.S. bought iPhones for the entire family (5 adults). Within 3 months all 5 units were either malfunctioning or were physically broken and each unit had to be replaced 3 times. Poor industrial design.
  69. Alpha Sigma from Canada writes: Wow - He's going to look so cool with his iPhone, brandishing it in public. Everyone will think he's a man of importance - a mover and shaker. Typical poseur. All about image, not common sense.

    Maybe Bell couldn't get a phone jack installed in his mother's basement?
  70. Craig B from Toronto, Canada writes: If people are complaining about the Globe covering this, please don't reade Citynews.ca's coverage. There they are calling Rogers limited $30/month data plan 'an incentive'! And now they've also bumped the coverage to their main story.

    I wonder who owns CityTV. Hmm...
  71. Beach Bum from Canada writes: Funny--I JUST looked at the fido website (my carrier) and their rates suck. it isn't cheap....75 dollars for something decent and then adding on the essentials another 25 dollars...100 plus all the taxes and access fees? not worth it!
  72. Jay Starr from Vancouver, Canada writes: this is newsworthy?? what a joke! perhaps the first iPhone buyer FROM ROGERS...but certainly not the first in Canada with many 1000's purchased from At&t or unlocked from eBay and elsewhere in the world. who really gives a Sh*t? is this phone supposed to revolutionize the mobile space? c'mon g&m...why perpetuate this crappy media?
  73. Common Sense from Laughs, Canada writes: As Inch Live I from Toronto, Canada writes:

    A friend of mine who lives in the U.S. bought iPhones for the entire family (5 adults). Within 3 months all 5 units were either malfunctioning or were physically broken and each unit had to be replaced 3 times. Poor industrial design.

    _______________________________________________________

    Just like all of Apple's products. For all of the 150 million ipods sold, how many still work a year after purchase, I wonder?

    Pretty, expensive...junk.
  74. john doe from Canada writes: No fair he had a 4 and a half hour head start on me. Anyways enjoy paying 2700 bucks over the next 3 years at least to own it.
  75. Free Bird from Athenry, Canada writes: .........yawn
  76. james brown from Canada writes: Another sucker for rodgers!
  77. Hugh Draper from Vancouver, Canada writes: A multi-purpose doomahicky that should make an impact on the speed of the net.
  78. Pik Man from Canada writes: Any Guy At Home from Canada
    30$ over 36 months does not equal 4000$. Maybe you should buy the phone and use its calculator feature.

    Remember there are only three kinds of people in the world.
    Those that are good at math and those that are not.
  79. football fan from Canada writes: You call this being tech savvy? Did these people not think to read up on the gadget before waiting in line for it? iPhone 3G uses backward technology that has been around years before iphone even existed.
  80. A M from Kitchener, Canada writes: Pik Man from Canada writes: Any Guy At Home from Canada
    30$ over 36 months does not equal 4000$. Maybe you should buy the phone and use its calculator feature.

    Pik Man, why don't you try go to a Rogers, asking them that you want an iPhone for $199 with ONLY the $30 data plan for 3 years, I will be more than happy that suckers like you can waste Rogers representatives' time.

    'Remember there are only three kinds of people in the world.
    Those that are good at math and those that are not. '
    Where does the 'three' come from? Dude you are really awful at even repeating a phrase that 'math wiz' told you another day.

    Remember there are only 10 kinds of people in the world.
    Those who understands cellphone plans come with a mandatory voice package, and those who do not.
  81. Ahmed Al-Samarrai from Kitchener, Canada writes: heres a new one .....
    was at the store .. which happens to be beside a Rogers .. i totally forgot today was the 'launch' day for the iPhone ... and there's a lin-up of about 50-60 people deep ... now out of those 50-60 people, maybe about 30 had Blackberry's ... now i'm thinking to myself .. why ??? on earth would you want to give up your Blackberry for this piece of 'crApple' .... (the only thing i own from apple is an Ipod - thats it-- thats all) ....................... anyway ............... i leave the store, walking to my car .... i was OFFERED an iPhone $400 beyond the purchase price ........ this happened not once, not even twice ... 4 times !!!! .... (but i did manage to purchase a Pearl for $50 from the poor sucker who just got an iPhone) ....
  82. Koolest Cat from Canada writes: Interesting how all the Rogers Hoopla and free food in each town was at one location. I assume it's to pump up the size of the line. A couple of hundred people in a line in a city like Toronto is minuscule.
  83. Barry Moss from Abbotsford, Canada writes: Strange, I passed a Roger's store in Vancouver on my way to work today and it was empty. I guess Roger's 'let's gauge consumers with the worst rate plan in the entire world' scheme backfired. I was interested in getting an iPhone (it would have been great for surfing on my 75 minute Westcoast Express trip each day) but Roger's plans convinced me that it wasn't worth it. Too bad, it looks like a nice product.
  84. Brad Richert from Vancouver, BC, Canada writes: The only thing more pathetic about this story is the fact that I actually read it.
  85. John Connor from Around Town, Canada writes: Jim Ray from the GTA, Canada writes: Okay, seriously, can someone please humour me here. What could I do with an i-phone that I can't do with my blackberry? Specificly, what additional features are worth camping out in the rain all night?

    For one thing, you could not pretend to look like Mr. Spock on an away mission, and for another you wouldn't have the opportunity to spend ALL of your money every month on handheld devices.
  86. CallofDuty . from Toronto, Canada writes: < I never had an IPod, Iphone, or ITouchmyself products. I feel great!
  87. jimmie rabbit from toronto, Canada writes: this is news?
  88. Ziad Fazel from Calgary, Canada writes: How many of these first-day buyers signed the petition saying they would never buy from Rogers?
  89. A A from Canada writes: I don't get it. I like gadgets but I don't see the value in forking more dough for the I phone. My BB Curve does pretty all the same things although not as pretty and not as cool. Why would I pay X % more for something that serves a similar purpose
  90. Keith B from Canada writes: Wow! Dude,....They should make a Bud commercial about you. ' Money wasting inferiority complex I have nothing better to do then stand in line i-phone buying guy..' Now you are going to have to beat the ladies off with a stick walking around with that thing. All you need is a bedazzled necklace carrying case with lots of bling so everyone knows you own one. I am surpirsed your GF bought one for you knowing all the side action you are going to score..

    Hmmm ..side action sounds good. But I think I will wait outside in the rain starting at midnight in front of a Rogers store instead of waiting a week or two when the line dies down. Then maybe I can be somebody too.
  91. Ted Rogers from Rogers Mansion, Canada writes: There are lots of you out there that live in your parents' basement and have no need for money to take someone out on a date.

    Just keep giving your money to me!!!
  92. Pik Man from Canada writes: A M from Kitchener
    I didn't know you had to buy the phone from rogers, you can buy the phone on ebay. I know people who have done this.
    But I stand corrected I know nothing of Cell phone contracts, I'm still using the same digital mini brick I bought about 5 years back.
    I did however buy an iTouch about 2 months ago. I really like it. I cracked it with some downloadable software and now I can rip uTube and view it at my own convenience at a later time without the need for an internet connection.
    Anyway if you are an urban dweller with wifi coffeeshops up the yingyang. Why would you pay rogers for the same service you get for free at starbucks. Face book yourself to death dude, once you own the hardware the rest is free.
    But seriously people who wouldn't own an iPhone should really consider an iTouch. If your happy with the way apple presents it to you cool if want more than that you can jailbreak it 'so to speak'.
  93. S Field from Canada writes: Why didn't these idiots just drive to Buffalo or some other bordertown and buy an iPhone a year ago if they wanted one so bad instead of sleeping outside for 2 days? I knew a lot of people who did this. Losers.
  94. Jack Sprat from Dry Gulch, Canada writes: The Iphone is considered leading edge technology ..... please give me a break. They just released a 3G version yesterday, I've had a 3G Blackberry for months now, Telus or Bell will be happy to sell you one.
    It also gives me music, pictures, video's, email, web interface, GPS, bluetooth, Yahoo & google chat, and a host of other things.

    The Iphone is slick marketing practices at best, certainly not leading edge technology
  95. Johnny Mack from Vancouver, Canada writes: There's a sucker born every (overpriced) minute. I hope this guy enjoys having Rogers' tentacles in his wallet for the next 3 years.
  96. A M from Kitchener, Canada writes: Pik Man from Canada writes: A M from Kitchener
    I didn't know you had to buy the phone from rogers, you can buy the phone on ebay. I know people who have done this.

    Let's ignore that you can't buy second gen iphone from ebay at this moment; it's no importance to me. But even if you get from eBay, where can you use your iPhone? Still Rogers (GSM monopoly). I currently live in Toronto and streetcar is part of my route to work everyday, and I would love to use Internet on the streetcar, but can't due to Rogers money grabbing practice. So unless Starbucks decides to go 'mobile' and attach themselves to streetcars, and their signals become as available as cellphone's, I will still believe that Rogers as a monopoly (and Rogers, Telus, Bell as wireless oligopoly) should be ended.
  97. Richard Roma from Canada writes:
    What an iLoser. Some people don't have anything important to do in their lives instead of waiting for an overpriced phone.
  98. Harbinger from Out West from Canada writes: I'd line up for a cell phone if it was just that. No text messaging, no camera, no emails, no call forwarding ,no gadgets , no nothing. Just a phone. Cheap too. Like me. Just incoming and outgoing phone calls. Just that simple. Like my life. (No apologies fer that.)
  99. K Kennedy from Toronto, Canada writes: While I agree that lining up for this is ridiculous, I can't help but notice the number of angry individuals on this forum who are slagging this dude personally and Apple products directly. Fact is that the decision to stand in line is his choice alone and I suspect the vast majority of the idiots criticizing the guy and the iPhone are those that couldn't afford one themselves. Either that or a few RIM employees that Balsillie has paid overtime to post here how great BB's (Which they aren't) vs. this product. While not a fanboy per se, I am a user of Apple products and in all the years I've had them, I've had few problems if any that i can recall. Ditto for iPods which contrary to the opinion of a few out here, do not break down after one year. That's nonsense generated by Microsoft-loving fanboys. Go out and buy a Zune guys. Can't wait for the Zunephone. LOL!
  100. Ian Singh from Oakville, Canada writes: The above string of comments speaks volumes of the Globe's online readership.

    Absolutely no one 'needs' an i-phone, sure. But then again, no one NEEDS the internet, cell phones, etc...most of us probably remember the time before these things.

    I think it's all too funny that there are that many people who are sitting infront of their computers judging and insulting people because they have a higher interest in new gadgets than themselves.
    I'm sure these are the same people who collect stamps, or build models...all equally useless pursuits, but enjoyable to some.

    I have no interest in getting an i-phone at this time, but I also don't have anything bad to say about people who were excited to possibly get one today. If they choose to afford the rates, who cares how much they spend or which company they support. If you do care, maybe a socialist regime is the place for you.

    We all geek out in our own way, whether it's gadgets, stamps, movies, video games, or whatever.

    Lastly, I believe this article was in the Technology section...so why would you bash people for being tech enthusiasts?
  101. Pik Man from Canada writes: A M from Kitchener
    Do you really have to be connected 24/7, is your life really that bad without the internet on the streetcar? Are you a day trader who can't be without his chart's for even one single second?
  102. L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes: Johnny Mack from Vancouver, Canada writes: There's a sucker born every (overpriced) minute. I hope this guy enjoys having Rogers' tentacles in his wallet for the next 3 years.
    ________________________________________

    Thanks Johnny Mack. Well said.
    Now, I'm outta here faster than lightning! LOL
    No overpriced IPhone for me.
    Thank you.

    -
  103. Billy Talon from Toronto, Canada writes: Ian Singh from Oakville, Canada writes: The above string of comments speaks volumes of the Globe's online readership. Absolutely no one 'needs' an i-phone, sure. But then again, no one NEEDS the internet, cell phones, etc...most of us probably remember the time before these things. *** I need the internet for my job - I don't need a cell phone, or iphone. *** I think it's all too funny that there are that many people who are sitting infront of their computers judging and insulting people because they have a higher interest in new gadgets than themselves. *** Again, I need the internet (and my computer) for my job. I think the majority of people are insulting the fact that someone waited 6 hours for an iphone (I believe that's how long he waited, correct me if I'm wrong). *** I'm sure these are the same people who collect stamps, or build models...all equally useless pursuits, but enjoyable to some. *** Are people who collect stamps/build models doing it because it is the latest hobby/fad? I have no interest in getting an i-phone at this time, but I also don't have anything bad to say about people who were excited to possibly get one today. If they choose to afford the rates, who cares how much they spend or which company they support. If you do care, maybe a socialist regime is the place for you. *** I'm afraid we will have to disagree. *** We all geek out in our own way, whether it's gadgets, stamps, movies, video games, or whatever. *** No, we aren't all geeks. *** Lastly, I believe this article was in the Technology section...so why would you bash people for being tech enthusiasts? *** It was also in the Business section.
  104. none of your business from leningrad, Russian Federation writes: It would be priceless to see a stamp collector or a model builder queuing for an i-phone. 'Chicks dig the i-phone', says one interviewed in Altanta. i-phone makes mating calls, stamps or models don't. the 'need' for i-phone is as simple as that.
  105. K Kennedy from Toronto, Canada writes: The fact that guys are queuing up for iPhones based on the notion they could get more easily laid is indeed truly pathetic. Is sex appeal gotten to the point in this society where what we have as cellphones now enhances the otherwise ugly appeal of the geek set? Geez!
  106. Ian Singh from Oakville, Canada writes: Billy Talon, as much as I rely on the internet no one needs it, especially mobilely. The world got by without it until not that long ago. That being said, I'm sure there were ways to do your job before the internet, or your job exists only because of the internet and in that case I'm sure you'd be able to find another way to survive.
    I mentioned models and stamps because enthusiasts will spend hours driving to and walking around at a hobby show that caters to their interest(s).
    My comments about socialism may be a bit out there, but I'm tired of people bashing companies for making money, pretty sure making money is the main principle behind capitalism.
    And unless you have no hobby, you're a geek about something, it could be sports, cars, stamps, video games, home theatres, animals, anything. To anyone who does not share your hobby, you're a geek about your hobby.
    And thank you for pointing out that this article was also in the business section, makes the complaints of Rogers and Apple making 'too much money' even more ridiculous.
  107. sam themacman from Waterloo, Canada writes: Too bad Canadians do not understand the word 'boycott.' This is sickening to say the least. 'It costs about $350, after taxes, to buy a 16-gigabyte phone and then another $80 in monthly fees.' Only an idiot would cave in to this kind of nonsense.

    I have been a Mac geek since 1988. I have spent thousands on Apple computers, destops and laptops and ipods. I have five laptops in our home, and two desktops. I love all things Mac, but I HATE this!

    This is highway robbery, and shows the problem is Canada is that Rogers is the only GSM provider coast to coast, and there is no competition. The government has got to get its act together and do something about these insidious rates.

    I will NEVER buy an iPhone until the rates change. Until then I will keep my 12 inch laptop with me, and use my Nokia phone. I will not cave in. Too bad other Canadians are rewarding Rogers by buying the iPhone.

    Still a Macgeek but refusing to sell out!
  108. Ian Singh from Oakville, Canada writes: Where did these ideas linking the i-phone to getting laid?
    If you buy anything besides personal hygeine or clean clothes in the ambition that it will 'get you some', you're a complete tool.
    And if you sleep with someone because of what they own, you're a prostitute.
  109. A M from Kitchener, Canada writes: Pik Man fro