LG and Rogers on Tuesday announced the release of LG’s Optimus Pad in Canada. Available for $449.99 CAD with a three-year data contract, $649.99 CAD on a month-to-month data plan or $699.99 CAD free and clear, the Optimus Pad features an 8.9-inch display, Android 3.0 Honeycomb, NVIDIA’s dual-core Tegra 2 processor and three cameras — one on the front for video chat and dual cameras on the back for 3D video recording. BGR reviewed the LG Optimus Pad last month, rebranded as the T-Mobile G-Slate, and we were very impressed with the hardware. We thought Google’s first version of Honeycomb left a lot to be desired though, and the overall design seemed a bit dated and juvenile. Android fans north of the border waiting to get their hands on a tablet should definitely spend some time with the device, however. Hit the break for the full press release.

LG OPTIMUS PAD ­ SETING NEW STANDARDS SO CANADIANS CAN WORK HARD AND PLAY HARD

The 4G Android 3.0 Honeycomb Tablet Brings Media to Life with 3D and HD Capture, Viewing and Sharing

Toronto, May 17, 2011 ­ LG is bringing media to life with the release of the Optimus Pad in Canada – the latest in tablet technology with a dual-core processor. With diverse multimedia and productivity features, the LG Optimus Pad features a unique 8.9-inch display for one-handed portability and uncompromising viewability, a variation from the 7 and 10 inch screens in market.

The LG Optimus Pad is powered by Google¹s Android 3.0 Honeycomb platform and the NVIDIA Tegra 2 mobile processor. The world¹s first tablet with a 3D camera, the LG Optimus Pad wraps users in an immersive multimedia environment with Full HD 1080p decoding.³

We are thrilled to set a new standard for tablets in the Canadian market with the launch of the Optimus Pad,² said Frank Lee, Senior Marketing Manager, LG Electronics Canada.³ Canadians are looking for exciting innovation with versatility for work and play and the Optimus Pad achieves the right blend of portability and viewability with no performance compromises.²

The LG Optimus Pad will be available in Canada exclusively through Rogers Communications.  It will be available with select three-year data plans at $449.99, a month-to-month plan for $649.99 or as a standalone purchase for $699.99.

Easy Portability, Ideal Viewability

Sized at 8.9-inch diagonally and 149.4-mm horizontally, the LG Optimus Pad offers a sensible solution to other tablets on the market that are either too large for comfortable portability or too small for ideal viewing. The conveniently-sized LG Optimus Pad fits comfortably in one hand, goes anywhere and slips easily into purses and slim briefcases. With 15:9 aspect ratio, the LG Optimus Pad allows users access to the full range of applications in Android Market and its 1280 x 768 WXGA resolution vividly displays multimedia content in full widescreen format.

Powerful, Fast and Versatile Platform

The LG Optimus Pad is powered by Android 3.0, Google¹s latest platform optimized for tablets which supports larger display resolutions and applications specifically designed for tablets, including Google eBooks, Google Maps 5, Google Talk, Rogers urMusic, Rogers On Demand Online and the Macleans and Sportsnet widgets. Android 3.0 also makes the LG Optimus Pad easy to use with a more intuitive PC-like interface. The LG Optimus Pad fully utilizes the 1 GHz Dual Core CPU of NVIDIA Tegra 2 to deliver lag-free web browsing and quick app start up. The superb graphics and multitasking capabilities of NVIDIA Tegra 2 enables the LG Optimus Pad to run multiple apps simultaneously and handle rich multimedia with ease.

Haven for Multimedia Enthusiasts

As the world¹s first tablet equipped with a 3D camera, users can capture vivid images and video with the LG Optimus Pad for viewing on 3D TVs using HDMI or on the web via YouTube 3D. Business users will also appreciate the built-in videocalling feature. With 1080p Full HD decoding, movie enthusiasts can transfer high quality content to their TVs without any loss in picture quality. Serious and casual gamers alike will delight in the wide collection of console-quality games available through the Tegra Zone app that runs seamlessly on the LG Optimus Pad.

We just received an internal Rogers document highlighting the carrier’s upcoming handsets and promotions. The document covers Q4 2010 through the beginning of February, and there are definitely a few choice revelations to be found.

Devices on the way to Rogers include the BlackBerry 9780, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Samsung Focus and the Dell Streak. There’s also tons of info on the new Data Sharing option that allows users to share a data allowance between multiple devices such as Rocketsticks or tablets.

Other interesting tidbits:

•The BlackBerry Bold 9780 is listed at $149.99 on contract.
•The Nokia N8 is listed at $79.99 on contract.
•The Samsung Focus is listed at $199.99 on contract.
•The Dell Streak is listed at $149.99 on contract.
•Oddly, the Vivaz Pro is eligible for the $10 unlimited data plan typically not available for smartphones.
•Internal rumors at Rogers suggest that the Galaxy Tab may launch at $299.99 with a 2-year agreement and $199.99 with a 3-year contract. This info is not confirmed in the roadmap we received.

Hit the jump for a slew of images, including four summary slides at the end that lay out all the pricing and details you can handle. Our source did mention, however, that not all pricing has been finalized.

Additional reporting by Zach Epstein

Last week, rumors of the Palm Pre 2′s eventual arrival in Canada surfaced as a result of tidbits extracted from the source code on Palm’s Canadian website. Today, those rumors gain a healthy dose of credibility thanks to a series of leaked images. The aforementioned images show a Rogers info sheet for the Pre 2 as well as the device itself, which is powered on and connected to the Rogers network. Of course nothing is confirmed for the time being, as Rogers has yet to announce the smartphone.

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Rogers has just announced that they have, “launched a new online property – Rogers Community Forums –  designed to help customers find answers to technical questions, ask and reply to questions as well as discuss Rogers products and services.” The official press release goes on:

Discussion categories follow our current product lines and there are numerous forums under each category where you can talk about things like accessories, the Android OS,Rogers apps, PVRs and more. We also have a forum where you can provide us with feedback and discuss with other members what you’d like to see in the community.

If you’ve got a technical question, or just want to blow off some ISP/wireless carrier steam, head on over to the new site and let ‘er rip!

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Chatr Wireless, Rogers venture into pre-paid all you can eat cell and text service, is set to go live tomorrow — July 28th — according to a report filed by Android Headlines. The blog writes that a SIM card will set you back between $5 and $10 (that’s Canadian of course), and the two plans available will be unlimited talk for $35 and unlimited talk and text for $45. Keep your eye on www.chatrwireless.com, which should go live sometime tonight.

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Yesterday, we brought you the first shots of four Chatr-branded handsets that are arriving at retailers in Canada for an expected July 21st launch. A circulating memo that was leaked late on Friday suggests that this July 21st launch date has been scrapped. According to the memo, collateral and dummy phones shipments have been put on hold and stores with existing Chatr inventory have been told to keep the materials in storage until a new launch date is determined. Anyone north of the border disappointed by this potential delay?

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Chatr, Rogers Wireless’ new cost conscious brand, is beginning to send inventory to big box retailers. As we detailed last month:

Created to serve what Rogers calls a “niche” market that is not currently served by its flagship and value brands Rogers Wireless and Fido, chatr will offer no contract voice and text plans as well as unlimited talk and text plans. Data is not a part of chatr’s game plan. According to Rogers, the big draw of chatr is not only its great plans, but that for the first time it gives urbanites who simply want to make calls and send texts affordable service from a “network they can trust.”

A launch date has not been officially announced, however a new source of ours pegs July 21st as the new network’s go-live date. Any of our friends north of the border jazzed about chatr?

Did we nail it or what? Today Rogers announced the creation of chatr, the low-cost wireless brand we exclusively told you about last week. Created to serve what Rogers calls a “niche” market that is not currently served by its flagship and value brands Rogers Wireless and Fido, chatr will offer no contract voice and text plans as well as unlimited talk and text plans. Data is not a part of chatr’s game plan. According to Rogers, the big draw of chatr is not only its great plans, but that for the first time it gives urbanites who simply want to make calls and send texts affordable service from a “network they can trust.” We were pretty curious about the timing of this launch, what with WIND Mobile now being half a year old and Mobilicity having only been on the scene for six weeks, so we asked Rogers about it. Surprisingly, they were adamant that they could not care less what their competitors are doing or where it is they are operating. They were quick to point out that chatr has been one year in the making and that it actually designed to mimic business model that allowed MetroPCS to go from a small time carrier to the 5th largest in the United States. Sadly this was about as much extra information as we could squeeze out of Rogers. As much as they want to get chatr up and running today, they’ve still got a few more things to do behind the scenes before it launches by the end of summer. This means that they can’t get into specifics about when the network will launch. But as we have said before, thanks to our connects we know that Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, and Ottawa are a lock. Anyone planning to wait with baited breath?

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Well hello there, mister Blurrycam. It seems that lately, Rogers is all about firsts. Yesterday, Rogers released the world’s first two Android handsets north of the border. Hell, even Joshua Jackson came out to celebrate. Next up for the carrier — Nokia’s first S60 5th Edition handset, the 5800 XpressMusic. According to promotional signage found in various The Source locations, the 5800 is well on its way to joining the Motorola ROKR E8 and the upcoming Sony Ericsson W705 to form a solid music phone lineup. No pricing yet unfortunately and as for release timing, we have word that not all Rogers employees have received training on the device so it could be a while. Apparently The Source got a little excited. So… If Pacey was on hand for the Magic and Dream launch, do you think Rogers will be able to break Joey out of whatever cage Tom Cruise is keeping her in for the 5800 launch?

Thanks, Hassan!

Early this morning Rogers Communications Inc. posted its fourth quarter 2008 financial and operating results. We’re not at all interested in Rogers Cable and Media and we know all you want to know is its ARPU, churn and smartphone sales so if you please bear with us while we get this out of the way we’ll get straight to it: Rogers posted a loss of $138 million CDN ($109.25 million USD). While it was mostly the Media/Print division that dragged Rogers down (Cable had double-digit growth), Wireless didn’t do much for Rogers in the way of short-term favors as retention costs once again ate up a large amount of cash. Net additions totaled 199,000 with 158,000 of those being locked into lengthy contracts causing a modest 2% increase in ARPU for post-paid subscribers which stood at $74.71. A 36 percent increase in demand for wireless data (which is where Rogers unsurprisingly looks to for 18 percent of its overall network revenue) was attributed as the main factor for the increase. Easily home to the best smartphone line-up in North America, Rogers sold 400,000 units with 160,000 of those going to new subscribers – something which costs Rogers a lot of money in the short-term. At least Rogers can comfort themselves knowing that churn dropped to 1.12 percent. It could be worse, right Bell?

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Today is a truly sad day in telecommunications. One of its longest serving CEOs, Edward Samuel “Ted” Rogers, has passed away at the age of 75. Long suffering from congestive heart failure, Rogers was admitted to the hospital in early November and eventually discharged to the care of his family with Alan Horn taking the role of interim CEO. Unfortunately, Rogers passed away early this morning in his Toronto home but thankfully he was surrounded by friends and family.

The official statement from Rogers is available after the break.

It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of Rogers Communications Inc. announces the death of our colleague, leader and friend, Edward Samuel “Ted” Rogers, the founder of the company, a visionary communications industry pioneer and an icon in Canadian business. He was 75.

Mr. Rogers, known for his indefatigable drive, built Rogers Communications into a Canadian and North American leader in wireless telecommunications, cable television, broadcasting, publishing and more. Mr. Rogers’ name is synonymous with innovative, high-quality communications products across Canada, products that improved and simplified the everyday lives of Canadians.

“We wish to express our deepest sympathy to Loretta and all of the Rogers family for this loss,” said Alan Horn, Chairman of Rogers Communications and acting CEO. “Ted Rogers was one of a kind who built this company from one FM radio station into Canada’s largest wireless, cable and media company. A leader also in giving to the community through his and Loretta’s many philanthropic initiatives. He will be sadly missed.”

Phil Lind, Rogers Vice-Chairman, worked alongside Mr. Rogers for almost 40 years. “Our sincerest condolences to Loretta, the children and the grandchildren. He will be missed by so many. Though Ted was relentless in business and building this company over the years, he was also very much a family man. His impact on family, community and country was as impressive as his business success,” Mr. Lind said.

Mr. Rogers, who suffered from congestive heart failure, saw his health weaken over the past few years. He was surrounded by loved ones when he died at his home in Toronto.

Mr. Rogers’ successor as Chief Executive Officer will be addressed by the Rogers Communications Inc. Board of Directors which intends to form a special committee to lead a search considering internal and external candidates. In the meantime, Alan Horn, Chairman of Rogers Communications Inc., will continue to serve as acting Chief Executive Officer and lead the company’s office of the president.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.

Rest in peace, Uncy Ted.

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