We're not really sure where to begin with this one, because the awesomeness is so thorough and so intense that we're basically at a loss for words; we'll see what we can do here, though. In brief, a HoFo poster has thrown up what appear to be slides from a Rogers event detailing the carrier's release plans for the better part of 2009, and seriously, if you name a badass handset, odds are it's here. Samsung will apparently be bringing the 8.1-megapixel Pixon, for starters, and Sony Ericsson will be throwing its name into the huge-cam hat with the C905. Turning our attention to Windows Mobile, the X1 is scheduled for release "around August if not sooner," Motorola brings the lowly Q11, and HTC adds the Touch Pro, the Touch Viva (an unusual choice considering HTC's intention to send it to emerging markets), and possibly the Touch 3G. Nokia will be offering the 5800 XpressMusic in the middle part of the year, Moto will be bringing a pair of 5-megapixel phones in the VE66 and ZN5, and finally, it seems RIM is signed up to bring the all-GSM 9520 Storm with WiFi -- a feature sorely missing from the Verizon and Vodafone versions -- and a 3G remix of the 8200 Pearl series flip that'll have a front-facing cam for video calling (yeah, no joke, they offer it up there). So look, AT&T, you have two options here: either crib off this presentation and make it happen, or we hope you get bought by Rogers. Your choice.

[Via Engadget Spanish]

Right now, the vast majority of RIM talk is centered around its touchscreen offering, but those firmly committed to its more traditional kit haven't forgotten for a second about the next-generation BlackBerry Curve. We knew the 8900 was destined for a life on Rogers, but we had no idea we'd feel this compelled to head north once it launched. The handset boasts a 2.4-inch, light-sensing 480 x 360 resolution display, 512MHz processor, quad-band EDGE / WiFi, 3.2-megapixel camera, GPS, a microSDHC card slot, removable 1,400mAh battery and Bluetooth 2.0; sadly, the omission of any 3G support isn't in error, and we're certain that'll be a deal-breaker for some. For those who don't mind (you know, those who just "live" near WiFi hotspots), it's available now in Canada from $179.99 with a pathetically lengthy 3-year contract (with minimum monthly rate plan of $45).

[Via BlackBerry News]

Edward Samuel "Ted" Rogers, the founder of Rogers Communications, has passed away this week at 75. It only takes a brief glance to recognize what a giant Mr. Rogers built, and his legacy will obviously live on for years to come. Ted had suffered from congestive heart failure and was seeing his health decline, but thankfully he was surrounded by friends and family when he passed in his Toronto home. As for now, Alan Horn, Chairman of Rogers Communications, will serve as CEO and president until the Board of Directors can complete a thorough search for a proper successor.

[Via Boy Genius Report, image courtesy of TheStar]

Not that you can't snag an HTC Touch Diamond in Canada right now, but those loyal to Rogers are still waiting. As of this moment, we still can't locate the WinMo 6.1-based handset on the outfit's website, but MobileSyrup has it that the phone will soon be released for as low as $199.99 on a 3-year contract (with a minimum $45 voice / data plan). Oddly enough, we're also told that it'll be available with voice-only plans for $449.99 (3-year), $549.99 (1 to 2-year) and $599.99 (month-to-month), while a data-only plan is available on the $499.99 handset (3-year). Weird, we know -- which makes us all the more anxious to hear this gibberish from the horse's mouth.

Word on the street is that people have suddenly (and rather unexpectedly) started to be able to buy the Curve 8900 on Rogers for $179.99 on a three-year contract with support for the carrier's Talkspot UMA service. Why this wasn't heavily advertised leading up to the release, we don't know -- folks seem to be red-hot for this release -- but at any rate, you should be able to stroll into your local shop in the next few days and pick this sucker up. That eternal question comes up yet again: Curve, Bold, or Storm?

Update: Game on -- according to Boy Genius, the Curve is now listed in Rogers' internal database and retail stores are starting to get stocks. So what's it gonna be?

Looks like the Daytime Emmy-quality drama that's infiltrated the Nokia E71's entry into the Canadian market may finally be drawing to an overdue end. Originally, Fido had been rumored to be the lucky recipient of the sexy little S60 number with QWERTY, but at some point, parent company Rogers became the front runner to nab it -- and MobileSyrup reports that the coup is now complete. There's no sign of it on their website just yet, but calling up a Rogers rep will apparently now net you the opportunity to score an E71 for $99.99 CAD on a three-year contract with the purchase of a voice and data plan totaling $45 a month or higher -- so if enterprise-y Symbian gear is how you roll, here's your chance.

Fido's experienced a bit of an identity crisis ever since being snatched up by GSM giant Rogers several years ago, struggling with product and pricing lineups that don't really project the quirky, young image that the brand's supposed to be all about. That might all change Tuesday, though, with rumors swirling that the carrier's poised to totally remake itself with new branding, a new, expanded hardware lineup, and lower fees. This might be largely in response to Telus' creation of the low-cost Koodo Mobile network, but also in preparation for an onslaught of competitors brought about by Canada's recent AWS auction. Either way, it sounds like it's probably good news for Canadian consumers looking for another (only?) source of budget GSM stuff.

[Via MobileSyrup, image via HowardForums]

If you're tired of paying for random snacks and such the old fashioned way (you know, swiping your credit card and handing over your John Henry), Rogers Wireless feels your pain. While not the first mobile payment initiative to hit the Great North, this one has some pretty notable backers. Starting in mid-2009, Rogers, RBC and Visa will join together to allow customers "to pay for small purchases" so long as they're holding one of the "specially-equipped mobile phones that can be waved at Visa payWave-enabled checkout readers at select retail stores and quick-service restaurants in Toronto's downtown core." The pilot will utilize Motorola handsets outfitted with Near Field Communication (NFC) contactless chips, while Gemalto will be managing the transfer of credit card information from RBC to the secure SIM card. There's no word on plans beyond the trial, but here's hoping it does something more than just fizzle out.

[Via mobilesyrup]

From a corporate standpoint, we can sort of understand the parent company's desire to have the best handset launches all to itself, but it sure would've been kind of it to throw FIDO a proverbial bone. If you'll recall, whispers were in the air that Rogers, FIDO's parent company, would be reserving the Nokia E71 for a fall / winter FIDO launch; now, we're hearing from a number of directions that those plans may have been scrapped. In fact, Rogers could now be hosting the phone all by its lonesome next month in Canada. Of course, we'll have to wait until then to see if hearts change once more, but boy, the tug-of-war between parent and child here is really bringing back some frightening memories.

[Via mobilesyrup]

Rogers' Samsung Jack, which is Canada-speak for BlackJack II, has been officially blessed with Windows Mobile 6.1. It's a few weeks behind the BlackJack II's own upgrade, true, but... you know, Canada-izing this stuff takes time. Or something. Grab the update from Samsung's site while the gettin's good.

[Thanks, Fred]

Mil-spec (and mil-spec-esque) hardware seems to be all the rage lately, so Motorola was more than happy to oblige when Rogers asked for some rough-looking gear to slot into its lineup. Meet the VA76r, a beefy set that'll take pretty much all the drops, dirt, and spills you can throw its way and keeps things rockin' on the data side with triband HSDPA. You've also got a QVGA display, Bluetooth, 2-megapixel cam, and microSD expansion; the $199.99 CAD (about $194) you're going to pay on a three-year contract isn't the cheapest we've ever heard, but for those that need this kind of toughness (you know who you are), it's probably worth the cost of admission. No word on a US release, but we suspect Moto would love to launch this sucker on AT&T to do battle with Samsung's Rugby.

[Via MobileSyrup]

There's an old saying in the wireless industry: "As AT&T goes, so goes Rogers." Actually, that's not a saying, we just made it up -- and it's not terribly accurate, either. But in the case of RIM's BlackBerry Curve 8320, there's at least a little bit of truth to it. New documents floating around indicate that Rogers intends to add the WiFi-packin' version of the Curve to its Talkspot lineup, giving users yet another smartphone option after the 8120 launched earlier this year. It'll apparently be offered in "Sapphire Blue" for $149.99 CAD (about $140) with a launch expected before the month's out.

Rogers has gained the notable distinction of becoming just the first carrier in North America to partner with Nokia to distribute its N-Gage and Maps clients, an unprecedented move that could lead to tighter (dare we say, more Europe-like?) relationships in the future. Both products are initially available on the N95 8GB -- a phone that Rogers officially offers through its own channels -- and will presumably see wider launch as other S60 handsets are brought into the fold. What's next, Rogers, full-on Ovi support?

[Thanks, James]

It looks like Rogers is finally getting around to expanding its rather anemic selection of UMA-enabled Talkspot phones, informing dealers that they can expect delivery of the t336 from Samsung in the next few days. The phone -- a dead ringer for T-Mobile's similarly-equipped t339 -- should offer a 1.3-megapixel camera, 220 x 176 primary and 96 x 96 secondary displays, stereo Bluetooth, and most importantly, a WiFi radio for hookin' on up to your router. Looks like it'll run $49.99 CAD (about $47) on a three-year deal when it starts filtering into stores later this week, assuming everything goes well.