Apple Removes '2 Year Contract Required' Note on Ads

[MacRumors]

When Apple posted the first of the iPhone ads on Sunday night, a small blurb was included at the end of each ad indicating that a 2 year contract is required for service.

Use requires 2 year activation plan

When Apple added the latest iPhone ad to their website, they replaced all the ads with new ones that have removed that line altogether.

Clearly, Apple made a conscious decision to remove the line from all the advertisements, but the quesiton is why? Will there be pre-paid options, or other flexible ways to sign up for an iPhone?

[iKwick7]

Very, very interesting- let the speculation begin!

[BigPrince]

this is absolutely amazing.

[Cindynjgirl79]

i would rather have the 2 year contract, less money than pre-paid. maybe?

[mrkramer]

Interesting, does this mean that you could buy it without a contract and use it on another network?

[sososowhat]

There's got to be a way for those of us already under contract with AT&T to upgrade to an iPhone. It doesn't make sense to me that there wouldn't be a way to just buy one.

[bentmywookie]

That's great news - I know it doesn't explicitly mean anything, but the 2-year contract required was probably the only thing detracting me from picking one up. (Not sure why though since for that much money I doubt I'd want to go to another carrier).

[Harpo]

Perhaps it just wasn't necessary to say?

[kainjow]

Originally Posted by Harpo

Perhaps it just wasn't necessary to say?

That's my thought. I wouldn't read too much into it.

[twoodcc]

this has to be good news. hopefully some light will be revealed next monday!

[Mgkwho]

Hmm...it was there for a reason originally...

-=|Mgkwho

[ISMPlus]

wooooooooooh! Very interesting... I so hope they won't tie us down with 2-year thing...!

[jicon]

Originally Posted by BigPrince

this is absolutely amazing.

How exactly?

Are they legally required to give a contract requirement if they aren't even advertising a price?

[mi5moav]

No, one is sure yet...the iphone my friend saw last week had some minor changes to it from what he saw at macworld, especially with the volume rocker button and even the case itself was a little more angular then he remembers.

[DTphonehome]

Originally Posted by sososowhat

There's got to be a way for those of us already under contract with AT&T to upgrade to an iPhone. It doesn't make sense to me that there wouldn't be a way to just buy one.

I'm pretty sure I read that existing customers can just buy one. And I don't think it extends your contract by two years, either.

[yzp]

they will get larger buyers part......

yah!!

Im already under rogers contract in canada! so, i might get unknown gift from rogers/apple? whats your thought?

any benefit for people already under contracts??

[DTphonehome]

Originally Posted by mrkramer

Interesting, does this mean that you could buy it without a contract and use it on another network?

Nah, it's totally locked to AT&T.

[Peace]

Wonder if this and this topic are related.

[BigPrince]

Originally Posted by jicon

How exactly?

Are they legally required to give a contract requirement if they aren't even advertising a price?

Just the fact they changed it gives me happiness.

[kcroy]

Innovative company, product, advertisement, and calling plan!

I've got to quit reading these threads...it's like teasing a kitten with yarn!

[ipearx]

Maybe it's for international reasons, as not only the US viewing those ads, and maybe contracts will be different internationally.

I really hope the SIM card is easily changeable...

http://bla.st/iphone/

[loudestnoise]

Isn't the reason for the removal obvious? SJ and his marketing team like to play games with potential buyers. This of course adds to the joy and confusion surrounding the release of the iPhone. I for one, think the idea of pre-paid use of the iPhone & AT&T is highly unlikely, but perhaps this is because I worked at Best Buy in the wireless department and know how much money carriers make from securing those beautiful 2-year agreements. Either way, I'm getting one, even if it was a 4 year contract. Ha, just kidding, that'd be totally not cool.

[digitalbiker]

Originally Posted by DTphonehome

Nah, it's totally locked to AT&T.

Yeah, Apple has already given a 5 year exclusive to AT&T. If you want to use another carrier forget it!

It probably means nothing. Maybe AT&T and Apple just thought it would be better for interested customers to find out details online with Apple or in an AT&T / Cingular store.

[gr8tfly]

My several phone upgrades with Cingular has always been the same: Once you qualify for an upgrade (1 or 18mo into the 2 yr. contract, I forget), you get the same price as a new customer. It's annoying, since you'd think a loyal customer would get more, but it hasn't worked that way.

I do qualify for an upgrade, but I'm expecting to pay the advertised price, based on signing up for another 2 years. Same as new customer signing up.

I sure hope I'm wrong and there is some meaning in Apple dropping the blurb from the ads, but I'm not holding my breath (for long, anyway )

[tkidBOSTON]

I dont think this necessarily means that the requirement still isnt in place, they just dont want to advertise it. I dont think they have to disclose the information in the commercials since they dont make any promises that the contract would impact and given apple's history of wanting to tell as little as possible in advance of product releases, it might just be in the same vein.

But im just thinking aloud.