AT&T and Apple Tightening Policies to Reduce iPhone Unlocking

[Abstract]

the problem is that right now many of us could use an iphone solely because it works on more than just att, specifically t-mobile. now all of us who were able to use it are shut out. people who do not live anywhere near a physical store are shut out. people who do not have att coverage or who have been royally screwed over by att are shut out.

why is everyone so ignorant to think that we are just wah wah crybabies who prefer t-mobile over att. for some our only choice has been removed.

Well I presume I'm one of the "idiots" you're referring to, so I just wanted to respond by saying (again) that you do have a choice. Go with the best carrier and phone that are available to you. Don't go with AT&T. Don't go with Apple's iPhone. Simple.

"wah wah crybabies"? Yeah, maybe I see it that way. This phone isn't something you are forced to buy. You're not limited to one choice, 2 choices, or even 10 choices. You have lots of choices, and neither AT&T or Apple are limiting all the other paths you can take. AT&T aren't screwing you over because you're not being forced to switch to their service, and Apple aren't screwing you because they're not forcing you to buy their iPhone. Exactly how are you getting "screwed" by either of these companies?

If I knew that a particular restaurant didn't serve anything that I would enjoy, I wouldn't complain to the owner that they screwed me over. I just go to another restaurant. I'm sure you'd agree. Now just apply that logic to mobile phones, and.....

 

[Appler]

Last I checked, Apple is still a 'corporation'. If they somehow gave you the impression that they are not like other companies, and that profit maximization is not their main quest, then they got you good.
Not because they capture the public's imagination means that they function any differently as a body.

This kills one of the most innovative features of the original iPhone, imo -- activating at home. Where you the user control the process at your convenience.

This sucks. I get that AT&T is now footing some of the bill for each phone but c'mon -- this is a big step backwards. It's this kind of nonsense and greed that I'd come to expect from other cell phone providers and manufacturers. Not Apple.

 

[Digital Skunk]

If I knew that a particular restaurant didn't serve anything that I would enjoy, I wouldn't complain to the owner that they screwed me over. I just go to another restaurant.

But what if all of the other restaurants spat in your food knowingly, then p!$$ed in it, and put a taste of rat poison in there.

That's what it's like using Windows Mobile IMO.

Seriously though, I agree with you. I am not pissed off at Apple or AT&T for locking the phone down. I just want AT&T/Apple to get Asurion or someone to insure the bloody thing like every other cell company I know. That and lower their price a bit.... if not, then I can deal with the price.

 

[Lershac]

For Me

I am not so upset about the locking nonsense...

Just the rise in price for the whole package.

Over the life of the contract, the price rose $40. Not a big deal for me, but I really would prefer to pay a little more up front to get a cheaper monthly cost.

Also I was hoping for that Red version.

I am still on the fence about getting one.

 

[matttrick]

Well I presume I'm one of the "idiots" you're referring to, so I just wanted to respond by saying (again) that you do have a choice. Go with the best carrier and phone that are available to you. Don't go with AT&T. Don't go with Apple's iPhone. Simple.

"wah wah crybabies"? Yeah, maybe I see it that way. This phone isn't something you are forced to buy. You're not limited to one choice, 2 choices, or even 10 choices. You have lots of choices, and neither AT&T or Apple are limiting all the other paths you can take. AT&T aren't screwing you over because you're not being forced to switch to their service, and Apple aren't screwing you because they're not forcing you to buy their iPhone. Exactly how are you getting "screwed" by either of these companies?

If I knew that a particular restaurant didn't serve anything that I would enjoy, I wouldn't complain to the owner that they screwed me over. I just go to another restaurant. I'm sure you'd agree. Now just apply that logic to mobile phones, and.....

up until now we did have the choice of buying the iphone to use elsewhere. what is with your lack of comprehension? spare us your analogies. it isnt like a restaurant or anything else. it is what it is. until now we could buy the iphone for use on t-mobile. now we can't. we aren't allowed to be dissatisfied? rofl. yes, we actually are.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I am not so upset about the locking nonsense...

Just the rise in price for the whole package.

Over the life of the contract, the price rose $40. Not a big deal for me, but I really would prefer to pay a little more up front to get a cheaper monthly cost.

Also I was hoping for that Red version.

I am still on the fence about getting one.

Same here. Mainly because AT&T still doesn't compare or even come close to Verizon, who was stupid for passing up the iPhone, or Sprint even though they are reportedly suffering from major loses in revenue.

 

[soLoredd]

Who cares about the SIM ejector tool? That doesn't mean anything. I guarantee this is what will happen:

Current iPhone owner with unlocked phone goes to Apple Store to buy 3G iPhone. Apple says great! They go get your phone, open it up and use the tool to eject your old SIM card. OOPS! You have a T-Mobile SIM card. You either sign a new contract right now with AT&T or no phone for you!

Now, if you go and buy the phone and don't activate in store, you have 30 days. You say fantastic, I'll get home and pop in my old SIM card to the new 3G iPhone and unlocking will be grand! Wait a minute, they've introduced some kind of DRM on the SIM card! Not only will your phone be not unlockable, but the thing won't even turn on! No iPod, no WiFi, nothing. No phone for you!

Come on, you think nobody in the Apple or AT&T camps thought of this? The whole point to ruining a good thing (which home activation was, it should have changed the game) is so AT&T don't lose money. Period. And trust me when I say it will take a long time for someone out in the community to break whatever AT&T/Apple put into this thing. It will be doable, it always is, but it is going to be a pain in the ass.

 

[iStefmac]

No chance. They would never take such a huge step backward.

 

[L3X]

Just for clarification...there are NO SUBSIDIZED PRICES! this is the base price... no rebate..nothing..it's just that..

anyways..i'm with AT&T already and i'm in a family plan..so it's not that bad.

Everyone that has a cell-phone plan is "owned" in some way. I'm owned by Verizon right now, and for the past few years. I'm switching to AT&T and will be under contract with them for at least two years. Who cares. That's the wireless market right now. If you don't want to be under contract, don't sign up, it's as easy that. Our wireless contracts are contracts of adhesion - advantage: wireless provider. They can put the terms in it they want (within reason of course). If you want to do business with them, you sign the contract. No one is forcing anyone to buy an iPhone and sign up with AT&T. Too many whiners on this forum.

I don't understand all the people that complain about the locked phones, blah blah blah. Apple and AT&T and any other business is in it FOR THE MONEY not to make everyone and their mom happy.

Like others, I would prefer to pay more up front, rather than the higher monthly costs. But, I like the new iPhone and I'm going to get one. Maybe after two years I won't like it and I won't get another one. If I do, I will keep buying them down the road.

The unlocking rules will hopefully keep the iPhone a rare device and it won't become diluted like the razor, blackberry, etc.

 

[iStefmac]

Same here. Mainly because AT&T still doesn't compare or even come close to Verizon, who was stupid for passing up the iPhone, or Sprint even though they are reportedly suffering from major loses in revenue.

Opinion, and not at all an informed one.

In the last year, my entire immediate family, at all different times, have finally abandoned Verizon and their disasterous customer service, sporadic cell service, and cheap phones, for the new ATT. And no, not all bought iPhones either.

Verizon is nothing special and is drowning in the success/dominance they had 5 years ago.

 

[Ironduke]

I was wondering - In France it is illegal to sell a phone tied to a contract - so it seems anyway. Apple plan to launch the phone in France so I assume it must be unlocked for that market?

exactly and we shall simply bring them back to blighty with our duty free Booze and smokes

Up Your A$$ Jobsey

 

[iStefmac]

Everyone that has a cell-phone plan is "owned" in some way. I'm owned by Verizon right now, and for the past few years. I'm switching to AT&T and will be under contract with them for at least two years. Who cares. That's the wireless market right now. If you don't want to be under contract, don't sign up, it's as easy that.

I don't understand all the people that complain about the locked phones, blah blah blah. Apple and AT&T and any other business is in it FOR THE MONEY not to make everyone and their mom happy.

Or you can get gophone, prepaid account with AT&T and then you own them, not the other way around.

 

[netnothing]

According to Ars, AT&T has confirmed that there will no longer be any iTunes activations:

http://arstechnica.com/journals/app...e-and-att-drop-online-sales-itunes-activation

-Kevin

 

[sananda]

According to Ars, AT&T has confirmed that there will no longer be any iTunes activations:

http://arstechnica.com/journals/app...e-and-att-drop-online-sales-itunes-activation

-Kevin

'According to AT&T, the change is occurring based on feedback from customers, many of which "wanted to complete purchase and activation in one step so they could walk out of the AT&T store with their iPhone up and running."'

yeah, right!!

 

[Anuba]

One thing you forgot to note though, is where the hell Russia is growing from. You can't just bring up the fact that they are growing more, you have to have a start too ya know.

Yeah, their start was communist Soviet Union at the fall of the iron curtain. Kind of a rough start so I wouldn't expect the entire population to be feasting on fillet mignon by now. They have a long way to go but I think you're still underestimating how far they've come in 20 years. They have the 7th largest GNP in the world, foreign investment has doubled year-by-year for several years. They have more higher education graduates than any other country in Europe. 14% of the population live below the poverty line (compared to 12.5% in the US). The rest of Europe is crawling with rich Russians on demented shopping sprees and they will be buying iPhones like crazy... Meanwhile, the US economy has gone down the toilet from its high point during the Clinton era. If current trends continue in both countries over the next 20 years, y'all will be crossing the Bering Strait bridge looking for work by 2028.

 

[brucebrendon]

o2 UK iPhone3G page etc

http://www.o2.co.uk/iphone

have a rummage

 

[Gasu E.]

That is kind of offensive.

Sorry if I offended you. I know a lot of Russians and (being generally intelligent, educated and having actual senses of humor) and they would be shaking their heads in agreement and laughing their asses off. Maybe I only know Russian intellectuals.

 

[northy124]

Sorry if I offended you. I know a lot of Russians and (being generally intelligent, educated and having actual senses of humor) and they would be shaking their heads in agreement and laughing their asses off. Maybe I only know Russian intellectuals.

Great one offense to another implying I'm dumb.

 

[tomjleeds]

what is with half the idiots in here not realizing that many people do not have the option of using ATT. the problem is that right now many of us could use an iphone solely because it works on more than just att, specifically t-mobile. now all of us who were able to use it are shut out. people who do not live anywhere near a physical store are shut out. people who do not have att coverage or who have been royally screwed over by att are shut out.

why is everyone so ignorant to think that we are just wah wah crybabies who prefer t-mobile over att. for some our only choice has been removed.

I'm willing to bet a lot of what you're experiencing is because those of us in Europe simply don't have that problem. All networks' coverage is total, you rarely find areas covered by one and not another.

 

[matttrick]

I'm willing to bet a lot of what you're experiencing is because those of us in Europe simply don't have that problem. All networks' coverage is total, you rarely find areas covered by one and not another.

well i cannot even get ATT because i used to have them, called to cancel, and then got a $350 bill a year later. they told me i never cancelled, and i of course refused to pay. so i do not even have the option of ATT.

 

[Fluffy Bunny]

well i cannot even get ATT because i used to have them, called to cancel, and then got a $350 bill a year later. they told me i never cancelled, and i of course refused to pay. so i do not even have the option of ATT.

See what happens when you don't pay your bills. Have you thought about two tin cans and a string?

 

[PDE]

Well since you asked, yes, I would say much of Europe leaning heavily toward socialism (luckily some countries are coming to their senses and kicking the socialists in charge out - e.g. Germany, France)

The U.S. economy is doing fine thank you very much. I don't think high oil prices will be the end of the world. In fact, it's great, it will help to lower usage and companies will speed up research for alternatives. Capitalism is a beautiful thing.

You folks getting all worked up about a cell phone need to relax.

And most countries in the EU are not capitalist, per your definition?? Consumer protection is not anti-capitalist, nor is it socialist. It's the result of citizens' realizing that they cannot combat rogue, and often predatory corporations by themselves (e.g., sub-prime morgages and auction rate security market) on an individual level, and therefore demand that government implement policies that assist them in making sure people are not treated unfairly by those in much greater power. Democracy at its best! Unfortunately, the only way this works is if citizens are knowledgable enough to understand what's going on in the first place, and that they believe in their ability to affect change through voting at the political level....that's not always the case, as we know.

 

[David G.]

I haven't seen this many negative votes for a front page article since Al Gore won the Nobel Prize.

 

[gianly1985]

Breaking news from Italy!!!
"Vodafone Italia" will sell, besides contract-bond 3g iphones, also (legally) UNLOCKED 3g iphones WITHOUT ANY CONTRACT OR MONTHLY FEE for these prices:

8gb ------> 499euros (778$)

16gb ------> 569euros (887$)


Contract, bills, stick to only one operator, that's no matter any longer for me. (and without loosing the warranty)

 

[Gasu E.]

Of course. I just found Gasu E's post about Russians slightly offensive...
Go back to that post and replace all instances of "russians" with "negros" and see how long it takes for it to be deleted.

"Russians" is a racist term? Nothing in the last sentence makes any sense whatsoever. I've never heard of African-Americans being stereotyped as "grey" or "morose". This is something pervasive throughout Russian literature, music, and culture. AND Russia has one of the highest rates of alcoholism in the world; early death from alcoholism is a national scandal, and the expected lifespan has actually decreased since the '50s. Any russian I know (and I know scores) would accept thoose things as a given. Get out of your sauna, do some reading, practice critical thinking, thicken your skin, and by all means develop a sense of humor.