Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and customers of other new Canadian wireless carriers may soon be able to get an iPhone from them.

The reason the iPhone is not available to all carriers right now is becasue it only works with certain parts of the wireless spectrum. However, the next version of the iPhone, due to launch some point this year, could change that.

The next generation of the iPhone may support the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) band of the wireless spectrum, not just HSPA.

This was the reason T-Mobile almost got the iPhone last September, but ended up touting its Google Android-based lineup instead instead, as that iPhone was a non-AWS iPhone 4S. If T-Mobile can work out an iPhone deal this time around, UBS analyst Phillip Huang believes Canada’s wireless underdogs stand to benefit.

“The new entrants in Canada (Wind Mobile, Mobilicity, Videotron), whose wireless networks operate on the AWS spectrum, may have a better chance of getting the iPhone to compete against the incumbents,” Mr. Huang said in a research note.

However, Apple could simply choose not to support AWS in the next iPhone, and even if the necessary technology is adopted, the company could just ignore the capability in order to support its existing carrier partnerships.

Even if the next iPhone did support AWS frequencies and Apple happily shops the device around, there is no guarantee all carriers would be interested in offering the iPhone. While device makers and carriers have long enjoyed an unofficial balance of power when negotiating deals for promotions or subsidization plans, the massive popularity of the iPhone has allowed Apple to dictate terms.

The result has been expensive demands from the world’s largest technology company to feature its product in extravagant retail displays and offer specific subsidies to customers. Comparatively limited financial and operational resources, combined with the growing popularity of Android-based alternatives, have made Canada’s new wireless entrants less willing potential iPhone partners.

“Six months ago, I’d say I would need the iPhone,” Wind Mobile chief Tony Lacavera told Financial Post telecom reporter Jamie Sturgeon two months ago.

“Now, I’d say it would be nice to have.”

He has some great ideas and as an Android phone user, and technician, I have an Android phone because I want the freedom to use it the way I want – not the way I’m forced to.

 
When people come to me and ask, “Should I buy an iPod or an Android phone?” my response is basically this: What do you want this phone to do for you? Is it just a phone with convenience and social features? Well then you probably want an iPod.

However if you want this phone to be an extension of you and how you live your life. If you’re a technician and a “tinkerer” (is that a word?) and you want to use this phone in different ways depending on whether it’s business or personal, or you’ll focus on different things next week than you are focused on today. Well then you’ll probably want an Android phone. If you’re willing to play with it, work with it, and tweak it to bend it to your will, then you’ll want an Android phone.

I’m also an advocate of Open Source and that amazing juxtaposition of widespread apps from the “collection of masses” down to a specific app from a small but dedicated group. The Android OS is (hopefully) that platform. It still fully remains to be seen but I guess I have shown with my wallet that I want an open market and the freedom to load whatever I want on my phone.

I particularly like Frankie’s points 2 and 3. Yes I’d like to point my phone at my TV and/or any other device and control it. It’s my handheld computer. And Yes, I think my Android phone should have a dock in my car, bedside table, computer, laptop, voip phone, scanner, etc. If it could scan my wine bottles and manage my collection that would be nice too!

 
Here’s Frankie’s five points:

• - Android devices should advertise freedom and functionality
• - Android devices should include a darn infrared emitter/sensor
• - Get a standardized dock/interface connector
• - Still be a smart device when docked to my computer
• - Let users earn revenue from data collection

In order to set up your email on your iPhone you need to know the mail configuration details from your mail provider – which is sometimes also your Internet provider.

If you happen to live in Canada then you’re in luck, here’s the email settings for Telus, Shaw, Rogers, Gmail and Yahoo – and when you’ve done that, here’s some other cool things you can do with your iPhone.

iPhone Email Setup Overview

Just looking for the email settings? This table gives you the quick ‘n dirty. The complete step-by-step instructions can be found in the additional details shown below this table.

Setup eMail on your iPhone

Use these instructions to setup email from Gmail, Telus, Shaw, and Rogers on your iPhone. These instructions work for both the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

Note: These instructions are for personal email; POP3, or IMAP. If you want to connect to an Exchange Server try (Synchronizing email with your work or Microsoft Exchange Server)

Telus email settings for your iPhone (or iPod Touch)

1. - On your iPhone or iPod touch’s home screen, tap Settings
2. - Tap Mail
3. - Tap Add Account…
4. - Tap Other
5. - Tap Add Mail Account
6. - Enter your Telus email account information
7. - Tap Save
8. - Telus Incoming Mail Server: pop.telus.net or (IMAP) imap.telus.net
9. - Telus Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.telus.net
10. - Tap Save

Shaw email settings for your iPhone (or iPod Touch)

1. - On your iPhone or iPod touch’s home screen, tap Settings
2. - Tap Mail
3. - Tap Add Account…
4. - Tap Other
5. - Tap Add Mail Account
6. - Enter your shawmail account information
7. - Tap Save
8. - Shaw Incoming Mail Server:  (find your mail server here you must have the correct city code)
9. Shaw Outgoing Mail Server:  (same as above)
10. Tap Save

Rogers email settings for your iPhone (or iPod Touch)

1. - On your iPhone or iPod touch’s home screen, tap Settings
2. - Tap Mail
3. - Tap Add Account…
4. - Tap Other
5. - Tap Add Mail Account
6. - Enter your Rogers email account information
7. - Tap Save
8. - Rogers Incoming Mail Server: pop.broadband.rogers.com
9. - Rogers Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.broadband.rogers.com
10. - (as per comments below, could also try smtp.rogerswirelessdata.com)
11. - Tap Save

In fact, Rogers has a handy setup chart for incoming and outgoing servers based on who’s Internet network you are on, with setups for Sasktel, Uniserver, and others.

Gmail email settings for your iPhone (or iPod Touch)

1. - Make sure you’ve enable IMAP in your main Gmail settings
2. - On your iPhone or iPod touch’s home screen, tap Settings
3. - Tap Mail
4. - Tap Add Account…
5. - Tap Other (don’t use the “Gmail” option)
6. - Tap Add Mail Account
7. - Enter your account information, being sure to use your full Gmail address (or full Google Apps email address)

1. - Tap Save
2. - For Incoming Mail Server:
3. - Host Name is ‘imap.gmail.com’
4. - User Name is your full Gmail address, including ‘@gmail.com’ (or full Google Apps email address)
5. - For Outgoing Mail Server:
6. - Host Name is ‘smtp.gmail.com’
7. - User Name is your full Gmail address, including ‘@gmail.com’ (or full Google Apps email address)
8. - Tap Save

Other cool things you can do with your iPhone:

• Making Movies with your iPhone
• Helicopter your can control with your iPhone
• Monitor your blood pressure with your iPhone

Activesync(tm) allows you to synchronize your Email, Calendar, and Contacts with your business email account in real-time. Any changes made on your iPhone or iPod Touch will be reflected in your Outlook immediately, and all new mail will automatically arrive on your iPhone (and your Touch if you have WiFi connectivity).

Here’s a quick how-to guide to setting up Activesync on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Requirements:

• Microsoft Exchange 2003 with Service Pack 2, or Exchange 2007
• iPhone software version 2.1 or later
• Ports 80 and 443 forwarded through the router/firewall to the Exchange Server
• If you’re using SSL, you need a SSL Certificate from a registered provider (your SSL cannot be self-signed)

Note: This setup will NOT work with the standard email account you got from your Internet Provider, or Gmail, or other POP3 type account. You MUST have a Microsoft Exchange Server. (Instructions for standard emails)

How to test for Activesync:

If you’re not sure you have Activesync and want to find out if your server is setup for Activesync, browse to your mail web page as follows:

• In Internet Explorer, browse to http://mail.myserver.com/oma – you of course, substitute your server name, just keep the “/oma” at the end.
• Enter your login credentials
• Say “yes” to the security warning about your device being unsupported, if you get one, and then you should see a page like this.

If you don’t see that page, or get an error, then you need to talk to your IT support person (or call us at 604-715-5107).

How to set up Activesync

Start by tapping Settings, Mail Contacts Calendars, Add Account, choose Microsoft Exchange.

Here’s Apple’s Quick Setup Guide that walks you through the setup on your iPhone or iPod Touch. If the Activesync test (above) worked then this will be an easy configuration. If you’re not using an SSL connection, say Yes to the SSL prompt, and when finished you must go back into the mail account on your device and, at the bottom, turn of SSL. (this will get rid of the annoying popups)

If you get errors or it just won’t sync, then there are all kinds of possibilities:

• Apple’s Enterprise Support page
• Check that your SSL Certificate is not self-signed
• Confirm you have connectivity
• Use Safari to test for Activesync (as shown above) on the iPhone or iPod Touch
• Check your spelling in the account setup – especially your password

Activesync Management for Enterprises

Here’s Apple’s Iphone Configuration Utility for Windows. I didn’t have enough users to make it worthwhile using this but it looks like it would help in a larger corporate environment.

Other articles in our Apple_Windows series:

• How to use Time Capsule with a Windows PC
• Easter to Hack Apple than Windows
• How to setup Activesync on your iPhone or iPod Touch
• How to use AppleTV with Windows

Foreverwarm Consulting Inc provides peace of mind to small businesses through prompt computer support and proactive network maintenance.

FOREVERWARM CONSULTING INC
Call: 604-715-5107