Unlocked Dell Venue Pro for cheap at Newegg.ca

If you are looking for a cheap, portrait keyboard slider WP7, there was only one available.  It was never available in Canada but newegg.ca now got some in stock and on sale at a very good price for $229.99 with free shipping.

It will work on Fido/Rogers 2G network but not the 3G network.  It's a Tmobile USA version so the only 3G network it will support is WIND/Mobilicity and whatever local carrier that uses the 1700 Mhz 3G band.  It WILL NOT WORK on TELUS/BELL has TELUS/BELL do not support EDGE or GSM.

Please note that warranty details if you are interested in this phone.  Please also noticed that Mango is likely the last firmware you will get for this phone as Dell is no longer manufacturing this phone and their position in the smartphone market is bleak.

I just ordered one for my wife for use on the Fido network as she really doesn't care about the data plans.  She isn't a phone savvy type people so she's not going to care about whether or not it gets more firmware updates. (Mango is already pretty damn great).

If you are on WIND/Mobilicity (and you have coverage where you are), it's definitely a good consideration.

click here to head over to newegg.ca

*Update* - looks like the new price is now at $219.99 (*&(*!@#()!@#!%#@Q$).  Anyhow, newegg.ca does NOT offer price protection so double *(%&$@#$@$ for me

Dell Venue Pro Unlocked for Cheap!

After waiting for Fogellus to release the Dell Venue Pro, it doesn't look like it will be coming after all the rumours and shit.  However, if you have a friend in the US and or a shipping address in the US, here's the next best thing.  The Dell US Ebay store is currently *still* selling an Unlock Dell Venue Pro - 16GB storage version for a really good price of $299 US (that's under $299) Canadian.  State taxes are of course required and HST/GST/PST when you bring it back across the border.  Yes, the Dell EBay site only ships to US addresses.

Linky here

Both the AT&T and the T-Mobile versions are available for the same price unlocked.

If you are on Rogers, Bell, Telus, Fido, you will need the AT&T version

If you are on Mobilicity, WindMobile, you will need the T-Mobile version (1700Mhz 3G band)

Before you go crazy and order this, note that the Generation 2 "Mango" devices are coming in September to wage battle against iPhone 5.  Still a great price for a good WP7 phone with a slide out vertical keyboard.

Source: Ebay

Venue Pro Spotted on Dell.ca website!

Sorry for not posting more lately but been busy with work and hockey playoffs.  I'll write up something about the WP7 event coming on May 24 with a crapload of Mango (or Windows Phone 7.5) features that are being thrown around tonight or tomorrow night.

What interests me is when I visited dell.ca just now..  Take a look at this screen cap.

It's not the US site.. noticed the "Francais" link at the top.

With the Venue Pro launching on AT&T bands last week, it's only a matter of time (I hope) for Robelus to pick it up.

Dell Venue Pro Launching Soon?

I do this search in the Dell.ca once in a couple of days in hoping that there is news from Dell as to when Canadians will be getting their hands on this WP7 beauty.

From my past search, all I get is some garbage brochure on the phone.

I just did another search today and noticed something a little different.  The Dell.ca website is linking to troubleshooting and forums items which was not there before.

Could this mean that it is finally launching in Canada?  I certainly hope so.  I have gone through the Robellus websites and still nothing.
Here's a link from dell.ca

Samsung Focus - Now $0 with 3yr contract at Bestbuy

One of the best WP7 handsets out there is the Samsung Focus from Rogers.  If you have been waiting for a good deal on this handset, now is the time to act as Bestbuy as reduced the 3-yr contract price of the Samsung Focus to $0.00

Only available in store with the normal bullshit about only certain eligible packages.

Hit out this link for more info on the Bestbuy.ca website.  This sale has been going on since last Friday (probably only until this Thursday).  My apologies for posting this late but it's not too late to act!

Another rumour has it that the Dell Venue Pro is launching on Rogers mid-march (rumoured contract price is $149.99 for 3 years and $599 off contract).  Not sure about the specs on the storage.  The Americans already have it in 8GB/16GB flavours.  It is unclear how big the storage is this version of the Venue Pro.

Microsoft + Nokia = match made in heaven?

Can't really say I am surprised at this morning's development at Nokia + Microsoft.  In case you haven't heard, the big news this morning (the day before MWC next week - or the business day before MWC...) is that Nokia + Microsoft have signed an agreement to join forces to battle the likes of Apple and Google.

Nokia efforts at that POC "MeeGo" wasn't getting them anywhere.  It looks old and crappy (I am looking at you Blackberry OS 6) before it ever came out on the market.  Nokia did the right thing in killing off MeeGo.  Unfortunately, this sounds like a big layoff is coming soon at Nokia.

Even though Nokia is losing market share to the likes of Apple and Google, they are still "massive" in terms of market share worldwide in terms of dumb phones and is still a "brand name of choice" in many countries.  So what does this marriage brings to the table?

Microsoft Store... in Bellevue, Washington

I am currently in Bellevue, WA for the last couple of days on a software development course so I finally get a chance to check out one of seven official Microsoft Store in Bellevue Square.

Having never seen a Microsoft Store before, this was pretty weird.  It's twice the size of the Apple Store which is buried in a corner of the mall several stores down next to Nordstrom.

I took this picture on a Monday night so the mall was pretty dead.  Got to see something called EXOPC