Canadians lined up across the country Friday to be among the first to purchase Apple's highly anticipated iPhone 3G, but the launch had its fair share of hiccups.
Problems with Apple's iTunes software prevented some phones from being fully activated in store. The customers were told they'd have to put their phones on hold until the system was back up.
Many of those who got their hands on the highly-prized product said it took Rogers employees at least an hour to set up the phones before they could leave the store.
Rogers Wireless said that it sold out of iPhones at a number of stores across the country -- but the company did not say how many iPhones were actually available. In addition, some stores sold out of the 16-gigabyte models and were left only with the smaller eight-gigabyte versions.
Rogers' chief marketing officer John Boynton said Friday that more are coming.
Customers who didn't get an iPhone Friday will be able to pre-order one online, by phone or at a Rogers or Fido store, he said.
"We will inform the public as to when the next batch comes in," he added, declining to give specific numbers.
"We will certainly have enough this summer for everybody."
Apple is hoping to sell 10 million iPhones around the world by the end of 2008.
The Canadian debut is part of a massive international coming-out party for the new version of the iPhone, which launched today in 22 countries.
Price concerns
Prior to the launch, Rogers Wireless faced a backlash when it announced it would cost $60 for the most basic data plan on its rate roster.
On Wednesday, just a few days before the launch, the company announced a promotion that would give early adopters of the iPhone a six-gigabyte data package for $30/month. That's on top of the voice plan and other fees.
In total, it is believed most iPhone users will be paying about $100 a month in Canada.
However, users wanting to take advantage of the promotional price must sign on to a three-year contract.
"A lot of people still think it should be an unlimited plan," CTV tech expert Kris Abel said, noting iPhone users in the U.S. have an affordable option for unlimited data. "The phone is designed to use Internet all the time."
In the U.S., iPhone users only have to sign a two-year contract with AT&T. For $59.99, users can get a plan for 450 voice minutes and unlimited data.
Ruinediphone.com has started a petition against the Rogers plan, accumulating over 63,000 signatures as of early Friday evening.
Jamie Lynch, one of the site's founders, said on CTV Newsnet that he's happy the iPhone came to Canada, but "definitely not happy with the voice and data plans offered by Rogers."
"When you compare our plans to the ones in the United States, we are grossly overcharged," he said. "Consumers want a better option."
David McGuinty, a Liberal MP and brother of Ontario's premier, even spoke out against the telecom industry on ruinediphone.com.
The phone, which runs on the faster 3G data network, is retailing in Canada for about $200. That's half the price of the original iPhone when it launched a year ago in the U.S.
Long lines
In Toronto, about 150 people waited overnight through drizzling rain to secure their chances of getting the new iPhone.
Jordan Brown, 16, was in line since Thursday at 4 p.m., even though his friend called him "a loser" for waiting so long.
"I was originally going to come yesterday around 10 p.m. but I came by to ask when they expected people to start lining up -- I figured that I didn't have enough time to go home and get my stuff and be first, so I just decided to stay,'' he told The Canadian Press.
Brown said his friend is the first person he's going to call with his new iPhone.
Abel was also at the Toronto store Friday morning and said the line stretched around the block.
"When I woke up this morning there was rolling thunder, there was lightning, and I wasn't sure if anyone was going to be here," he told Canada AM.
In Halifax, lineups began as early as 2 a.m. outside a shopping mall.
"I feel kind of lame, but kind of awesome all at the same time,'' Christian Meagher, who was among the first to buy the phone, told CP.
"I think it will be cool, but I think a lot of people are making a bigger deal than need be right now. It's just a phone, a cool phone, but just a phone."
In Vancouver, about 100 people showed up early to a Rogers store to pick up the device.
iPhone features
The iPhone lets users play music, watch video, surf the Internet and check their email. It also includes a GPS locator that can show users a Google map of their current location.
"One really interesting feature is that it will allow you to access a corporate email," CTV's John Vennavally-Rao, who visited a Rogers store Friday morning, told Canada AM. "This product could go head to head with the BlackBerry."
With files from the Canadian Press
