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Apple Cracks Down On iPhone Unlockers
An anonymous reader writes "It looks like Apple and its wireless operator partners have finally figured out a way of cracking down on iPhone unlockers by making it a requirement to sign up for a contract before you can get your hands one. "It's obvious why this has happened though. This method means you're tied into a contract, or you're paying O2 and Apple a massive wad of cash for the privilege of owning a 3G iPhone. We're disappointed about this decision, but it does make business sense." Both ATT in the US and O2 in the UK are implementing the new activation system on July 11th, when the iPhone 3G goes on sale."
steve jobs got you where he wants you again. keep throwing cash at the new emperor! hail caesar!
This is only true if you are just comparing bullet points of features. The iPhone is the only mobile I've used with an interface that doesn't completely suck (it's not perfect, but it is a lot better than the competition at the moment). I am not really interested in a phone that's that locked down (I want a developer platform, and that doesn't mean one with an SDK full of arbitrary restrictions), but this isn't an important concern for a lot of people.
I am TheRaven on Soylent News
Ummm ... Apple only exists today because people are willing to pay a premium price for a premium product. There are cheaper computers and phones readily available. Make the product good enough, and people will pay for them. I speak as the owner of a top of the line $2700 MacBook Pro and a pre-price cut $600 iPhone. On that note, I wouldn't pay $600 for a Dell laptop or $60 for a Motorola phone because they're both crap in comparison.
Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws-Plato
I haven't checked my facts on this, but last I recall there wasn't really a 3G network in the United States. Yes, Apple and ATT are taking you for a ride, but do keep in mind that some of that goes to development and infrastructure.