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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."
Vodafone sued T-Mobile/Apple (in Germany) over that and lost [During the lawsuit, they sold an unlocked iPhone for 999 Euros]. Orange (France) sells an unlocked iPhone for 749 Euros vs 399 locked. So nothign will change (except maybe a lower price for the locked version).
Do you even lift?
These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.
As far as I recall, Apple was actually shopping around for a few different providers. Apparently when they were in talks with Verizon there were too many demands on Verizon's end. (Surprised?) AT&T was the largest carrier available willing to let the phone be what Apple wanted it to be. Just something to think about.
Those who believe the Internet is private,
find their privates are on the Internet.
If I'm going to be locked into a contract either way, I'd much rather have my phone subsidized (new plan) than not (old plan).
I was all set to buy one of the new iPhones until more data started leaking out. You know that nice iPhone plan they had? 450 minutes, unlimited data, 200 SMS for $60 a month?
Gone
In what can only be described as "easier", you now have to use the standard AT&T model. Their lowest plan is 450 minutes which is $45. You have to add $5 to get 200 SMS messages (note: this seems to include MMS and other things too, which is different). Then there is the iPhone data plan that you are required to buy: $30 a month.
So instead of a simple little $60 plan, they now expect me to pay... $80.
So let's see... $20 difference per month X 24 months = $480. Take out the cut they were paying to Apple (wasn't it like $5?) and that's another $120.
So AT&T's revenue goes up $600 per two year 3G contract.
I'm not so sure I want to pay $80 a month for an iPhone. I was hesitant with $60 but this makes me question things much more.
Congratulations again AT&T. You took the must buy product of the year for me and managed to screw it up.
Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
They do, in the UK you can purchase the new iphone on the pay as you go deal, which means no contract you pay the full price for the phone and you can do as you wish with it. Here is some info from the O2 deal.
You deserve the mod points for the insightful statement that follows this, but I have to take exception to the above. Great Britain is an island, which contains the countries of England, Wales and Scotland, and forms part of the sovereign state of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or UK for short.