I'm not saying everything that leaves Apple's mouth is fact, but that doesn't mean facts aren't stated during a keynote.
Yes they have changed their model. And as you can gather, they have been evolving into what the market is accepting with the most success. Early on they got away with full price and royalties etc. Now that is changing and they are opening to multiple carriers and so on. This is a natural progression as Apple OBVIOUSLY wants the greatest amount of success possible. Now after a while of opening to carriers in the world Phil stated that after having done that now, Apple has found it to be very successful for them and consumers. I guarantee you that Apple is anxious to open to other carriers here in the US as well. They will sell a LOT more phones when they do. It is just a matter of contracts being fulfilled and compatibility coming with 4G networks so they can continue to manufacture one device with one assembly. In the beginning it made sense for them to partner with AT&T and adapt the dominant global standard. Now it makes sense for them to open and expand with 4G, and they will and are awaiting the day for further growth opportunity and adoption, i guarantee you. This isn't really rocket science!
As you said it --- it is a natural progression --- and it's a 2 way street.
Apple got away with full priced iphone with a revenue share for a few months --- then they couldn't sustain it.
Now it appears that Apple couldn't sustain their exclusivity model --- because carriers are really being hammer with the handset subsidies.
It's always a 2 way street. You think it's Apple's choice to stop the exclusivity model. I think it's the carriers unwilling to pay the king's ransom.
