iPhone unlockers beware as Apple cracks down
If you are one of the many iPhone lovers who have found a way to have your cake and eat it too by unlocking the iPhone to use on a carrier that isn’t AT&T, beware. Apple has begun to fight back against people unlocking the phone in violation with Apple’s exclusive agreement with the Devil AT&T.
It doesn’t look like the new crackdown will affect users of the older iPhone Edge models (yet). If you grab an older model now you can probably still unlock it and use it on a non exclusive carrier like T-mobile, at least for a while. Apple and AT&T are continually going against popular demand and devising ways to make it harder and less desirable to own an iPhone. Limiting the carrier choice will continue to leave many users out in the cold.
To combat unlocking of the new 3G Jesus Phone iPhone, Apple and AT&T are now requiring even existing users to come into a store, in person, and start a brand new two year contract. Without in store face time, users are not going to be able to turn on and use their 3G iPhones. This is causing an uproar among current AT&T users and new customers, and it is keeping many users from switching from other phones like the HTC line with Verizon or the Nokia N95 to the iPhone.
When you add in the fact that AT&T is raising their rates significantly for their data plans and voice minute packages, and the fact that Apple has not yet added video capabilities to the iPhone, many potential users are not planning on switching. This in spite of Apple selling the phone at a bargain price of $199.
I think Apple needs to divorce themselves from AT&T, one of the nation’s most unpopular carriers, and make the iPhone non carrier specific, opening it up to a larger audience. That probably won’t happen. This is one instance in which the usually forward thinking company is short sighted and working against itself.
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June 10th, 2008
Do you really need this phone ?
MAC is so good at promoting, and every one just falls on there tail.
But Apple/MAC needs to do better.
Yes the phone is great looking, but what’s new, faster internet ?, is the camera much better ? why is there no video call’s ? Actually the new things is still OLD. Can I change my battery ?, No the iPhone is the same old phone, wit a faster internet, still stone-age technology, in this business
No Apple, has done this again. People like my self got the first one, and was happy with the internet and mail, but in a business you need copy / Paste, but this are you still not getting. Apple’s discussion forum, is no good, all you will hear is ” the iPhone does not do this or that” so get the new iPhone 3G and get ready to get disappointed
June 11th, 2008
I can’t understand why Apple keeps painting themselves in the corner. Maybe because I used PC’s most of my internet life and I just don’t get it?
If Apple wanted to increase their market share across the board and give some serious competition to MSFT. Make a Operating System for PC’s. Seems the time is ripe especially with the problems Vista has been having.
If Apple wanted to do something innovative, release the IPhone to work on any wireless carrier. Why only AT & T ?
The IPOD (which works fine with Windows or Mac) is prime example of serving two systems. The IPOD would not have been as successful as it is today if it only worked with Mac.
Apple is missing some great opportunities, but then again maybe its just me who doesn’t get it.
June 11th, 2008
They are on AT&T because the other carriers refused to give Jobs the control he wants.
http://news.cnet.com/Apple,-ATT-Bosom-buddies-or-odd-couple/2100-1041_3-6207628.html
“With other handsets, we decide the applications that are used and how to define the service offering,” he said. “But with the iPhone, Apple decides what products and services to load on the device. It’s a completely different business model.”
June 12th, 2008
i guess you will still be able to buy them online, but will have to take them to a store to turn them on?
http://www.freeiphone3gtoday.info