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Pandora's Box was always a secret and when it was finally released and let out into the world, everybody except the US got to look into it. For some time though, Pandora was seen by peering Canadian eyes but last May it was shut down to Canadians. Now there is a website entitled Last.Fm and is open to Canadian residents and the rest of the world. This is a huge relief because I dearly missed Pandora and it's beautiful choices of music. There restrictions to it originally which included prohibiting you to scroll more than 5 times for a set amount of time. Last.Fm does not have many restrictions but they do get a little annoying on their website. For one, you can search up a song/artist on their website, but you can only it for 30 seconds and it doesn't allow you to play the full version on your downloaded software even though it says you can. The stations though play some unique songs like the Rolling Stones version of Into You-Fabolous.

My pet peeve of this software is you can only search for Artists and Tags where you are almost dispersuaded from searching for albums and titles. I suggest you experience becuase right now you don't have an alternative if you're a Canadian resident living in Canada. Let me know what you guys think about the alternative and comment away.

Another phone, only thought to be in the US and elsewhere (at least in my mind), the Motorola Razr2 V9 is now being offered by Rogers for $199 with a 3 year contract. Bell Mobility also offers it for the same price. A beautiful phone that I did consider when shopping around for a new cell phone, I simply chose not to buy it because it was a flip phone. It was on the very top of my list in the category of flip. There were many reasons why it was there including aesthetics, size, quality, and actual features.

Look and Feel

One glance at the Razr2 and it had me hooked with it's elegant design and flashy yet modern and professional look. Carrying on the tradition of it's predecessor, it still has the bump on the bottom to support the phone in your hand when using the phone flipped. I guarantee people will comment on the exterior with one of the largest external screens in it's class at 2 inches with a resolution of 320x240. Made of stainless steel, the casing of the V9 is made to impress.

Size

With a small size from it's predecessor, the V9 had a lot to live up to. If there were no new technologies invented from the releases of the original and the V9 then it would be no problem, but Motorola had to contend with 3G.

Razr V3 - 98 x 53 x 13.9 mm and 95g

Razr2 V9 - 103 x 53 x 13.3 mm and 125g

Impressively the V9 shaved off half a millimetre from it's width but it added 30g mainly because of the 3G support. Size still makes this phone appealing and will continue to be a main factor for buyers.

Features

With 45mb of included memory and the option to expand it to 2GB with a MicroSD card the user will be able to store tons of photos, music, and videos. 3G is the newest technology in North America and offers high speed broadband for utilizing your phones internet. Also EDGE will speed up your transfers 3x faster than the current technology. The CrystalTalk��� technology provides the user with a clear & precise talking volume & clarity wherever the user happens to be as the technology will automatically adjust the phone audio volume to suit the user's surroundings which distinctively reminds me of the technology involved in changing the volume when the car speeds up (in my brothers Beamer). The 2.0 megapixel camera comes with an 8x digital zoom & a multi shot camera feature. There are literally tons of other features on this phone but that would take too long. Drop in on your local Bell Mobility store to find out more.

Due to the new knowledge of a wide base of Canadian readers I decided to offer a Canadian Edition article and what better way to kick it off but with our favourite wireless, cable, and phone providor, Rogers. I don't know about you but I hate Rogers so I chose Fido as my wireless providor and I've never regretted it (I know Rogers owns Fido). Rogers does however have the best service but they don't know how to treat their customers right which is the reason I'll take any chance to cut my ties with them. I do give credit to them for bringing in 4 new phones to their dismall lineup which is the reason why I'm writing this article today.

Sony Ericsson W580i
Technically it's not a new phone but to the general public in Canada it is. Rogers is now offering it for a measly $300 without a contractand $100 for a 3yr contract. This versatile offers Bluetooth, Infrared, Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 capabilities and uses Enhanced Data rates for the EDGE technology to give you hi-speed video / picture messaging and mobile Internet access. Download videos, ring tunes, graphics and games at speeds up to three times faster than dial-up. This truly is a high-tech phone and gives all the other providors a run for their money. The main feature that has been getting alot of attention are the fitness tools such as the pedometer. These features shouldn't be getting the most attention as there are plenty of other great things on the phone. The phone is only 10cm long 5cm wide so it makes for a great size phone. The main feature I believe to be on this phone is its screen. Similar to other Sony Ericsson���s models, the W580i utilizes mirror layer that improves its readability while in the sun and allows its picture to stay crisp and visible. The display boasts enhanced image sharpness and contrast.

HTC TyTN
While at first it doesn't look as good as the HTC Touch at first glance, if you look further it makes a great arguement. It's an "office in your pocket" that you've been waiting for. Exclusively offered by Rogers it will limit the learning tim required to get used to the phone. With the familiarity of the Windows platform, th TyTN operates on Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Edition. You'll be able to send email, text and multimedia messages with the stylish sliding full QWERTY keyboard and navigate easily with the 2.8" screen and stylus. View, capture, send, and save pictures and video with the 2 megapixel camera. It is HSDPA enabled so you can download at home-style speed. A huge feature is wifi, enabling you to connect anywhere possible. Windows Mobile 5.0 packs a lot into a relatively small package and should help the HTC TyTN compete with the Blackberry's and stem off Apple iPhone buyers if it comes to Canada.

HTC Touch
I did a review on this phone a month ago and never expected it to hit Canada. I thought I was seeing things when I saw the Rogers commercial. I am glad it is coming here because it's an absolutely great phone for a reasonable price of $200 with a 2yr contract and $400 with a 1yr contract(not offered for prepaid). I have a full review on the phone here. Now it is also offered by Bell Mobility. On a similar note, this probably means that Rogers, let alone any other carrier, will offer the Apple iPhone in Canada because the HTC Touch is a perfect replacement to it.

LG TU720 Shine
Finally we have the LG Shine with a price tag of $100 for a 3yr term and $410 for no-term. The LG Shine has sleek design with a mirror finish and a 2megapixel camera to capture those Kodak moments. It is also used for video calling, one of Rogers new services, and provides many colours for a great video conversation. Mobile TV is one of the preloaded services that come with the phone as well as a Music store, radio, and VOD. There is plenty of space when you first buy the phone at 512MB plus the option of expanding it. Overall, it's a flashy phone that will get old very soon, but hopefully not before Christmas. This cell phone, unlike Bell's version is capable of utilizing Roger's new high-speed network, 3G. Note: Rogers is the first to test the new 3.5G network in North America so look out for it.