I think in November you can walk into a apple store and buy it contract free.. because it says online you can buy it full unlocked on november so I assume it goes same for store pick up..I assume bestbuy too.hope that helps
I believe that they are doing this so that contract customers get first shot at an iPhone. Since Apple has no interest in selling phones to people who do not want to pay outrageous contract rates I will not be getting an iPhone 4S.