iPad 2 Locked Status - Apple's Wording

[orpheus1120]

In fact, I think Apple was a little short sighted for not putting in a dual-mode chip and making a single unified model that worked on both carriers. But, I bet AT&T and Verizon would rather they be separate so they can lock you in to one US carrier.

Makes no difference to the carriers whether it's unified or not, although I can see Verizon benefitting from current arrangement more since whoever buys the CDMA version is locked to Verizon. From consumers' perspective, an unified version will allow them to be more flexible with their telco choices. In fact now that iPad 2 supports quad band including GSM 900mhz I think it will run on T-mobile's 3G as well? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Edit: oops. No it won't work on T-Mobile's.

 

[profets]

Makes no difference to the carriers whether it's unified or not, although I can see Verizon benefitting from current arrangement more since whoever buys the CDMA version is locked to Verizon. From consumers' perspective, an unified version will allow them to be more flexible with their telco choices. In fact now that iPad 2 supports quad band including GSM 900mhz I think it will run on T-mobile's 3G as well? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Edit: oops. No it won't work on T-Mobile's.

Well, it would work on T-Mobile's 2G/EDGE network, but no 3G.

Still curious as to why they didn't have 1 model for both GSM & CDMA. The Qualcomm chip can handle it, and it would definitely improve logistics & retail. Maybe the # of cdma models that will sell are far less compared to the whole picture and it wasn't worth adding cdma antennas (if thats even needed?) to all GSM models.

 

[rritterson]

Makes no difference to the carriers whether it's unified or not... From consumers' perspective, an unified version will allow them to be more flexible with their telco choices.

A unified version will inevitably beget more competition for data pricing, because, if AT&T lowers their prices one month I can go with them until verizon matches and vice versa. With the way it is now, the carrier can count on you as a customer when you need data and can thus set rates at the highest you will possibly pay instead of at a competitive price. [the case where you sell your iPad and get the other version should data prices come down notwithstanding]

 

[benhollberg]

So if i buy a GSM iPad then I can't use it outside the U.S., that was the only reason I'd buy a 3G iPad 2 so that I can use the month to month internationally. Please tell me this isn't true.

 

[deeddawg]

So if i buy a GSM iPad then I can't use it outside the U.S., that was the only reason I'd buy a 3G iPad 2 so that I can use the month to month internationally. Please tell me this isn't true.

That isn't true for a GSM ipad according to TUAW: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/03/06/confirmed-ipad-2-will-not-be-carrier-locked-in-canada-or-anywh/

Website iPadinCanada has confirmed directly with Canadian mobile provider Rogers Wireless that the iPad 2 will not be carrier-locked in Canada. The same site also confirmed the AT&T iPad 2 won't be carrier-locked to AT&T, as did numerous requests for info from Apple Experts, a CNET article on international roaming with the iPad 2, and my own phone call to Apple's US support center.

 

[benhollberg]

That isn't true for a GSM ipad according to TUAW: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/03/06/confirmed-ipad-2-will-not-be-carrier-locked-in-canada-or-anywh/

Good to know. I was scared there for a minute.

 

[pika2000]

Alright.. I don't live in the US, but is that for real? Most US consumers demand provider locked device??

Yes, the proof is in the pudding. Pretty much most phones in the US are provider-locked, even when you buy them unsubsidized, no-contract, or even pay as you go.

 

[pika2000]

WRONG! The iPad 2 is locked. No matter what Apple and ATT say.

Why is it locked? Because pika2000 said so and I trust him more than the maker of the iPad 2.

Please grow up.

Where did Apple say it's unlocked? All we heard are customer service reps/techs/employees making vague explanations. Please, proof it to me where did Apple, on their US website and/or press release, that specifically says that US GSM iPad2 will be unlocked. If it turns out to be unlocked, then great. If it turns out to be locked, then I won't be surprised. I'll be getting the wifi only version anyway.

As for the CNET "confirmation" about being able to use the iPad 2 3G in Europe, you can use any GSM devices in Europe, even if they are provider locked. You're just stuck with the international roaming plan from AT&T instead of using a SIM from a local carrier. Being able to use the GSM iPad 2 in Europe doesn't prove that it's unlocked.

Again, if the US GSM iPad 2 turns out to be unlocked, then great. Until then, I rather have a realistic expectation. All the other Android tablets in the US are provider locked, and nobody's complaining.

 

[pika2000]

Still curious as to why they didn't have 1 model for both GSM & CDMA. The Qualcomm chip can handle it, and it would definitely improve logistics & retail. Maybe the # of cdma models that will sell are far less compared to the whole picture and it wasn't worth adding cdma antennas (if thats even needed?) to all GSM models.

How do you know it's not actually 1 model? Apple could just disable the GSM and/or CDMA portion of the chip. There are plenty of Verizon phones that actually have those hybrid chip that supports GSM and CDMA, but with the GSM side disabled.

 

[profets]

Yes, the proof is in the pudding. Pretty much most phones in the US are provider-locked, even when you buy them unsubsidized, no-contract, or even pay as you go.

That I understand and agree with, but you said "consumers demand locked phones" which is what I was asking about. Maybe you meant "carriers demand locked phones"?

How do you know it's not actually 1 model? Apple could just disable the GSM and/or CDMA portion of the chip. There are plenty of Verizon phones that actually have those hybrid chip that supports GSM and CDMA, but with the GSM side disabled.

I know its not one model because Apple made it clear that you have to choose either the GSM or CDMA version of the iPad 3G when purchasing. I'm not saying they don't both have the Qualcomm MDM6600 chip - they probably do - as does the verizon iPhone 4 (the one capable of gsm, cdma and hspa). What I'm curious about is why Apple didn't design it to have both CDMA and GSM capabilities out of the box. It would have reduced 6 SKUs from the supply chain and retail, and also would have allowed customers in the US to choose who they purchase data from.

 

[profets]

Please grow up.

Where did Apple say it's unlocked? All we heard are customer service reps/techs/employees making vague explanations. Please, proof it to me where did Apple, on their US website and/or press release, that specifically says that US GSM iPad2 will be unlocked. If it turns out to be unlocked, then great. If it turns out to be locked, then I won't be surprised. I'll be getting the wifi only version anyway.

As for the CNET "confirmation" about being able to use the iPad 2 3G in Europe, you can use any GSM devices in Europe, even if they are provider locked. You're just stuck with the international roaming plan from AT&T instead of using a SIM from a local carrier. Being able to use the GSM iPad 2 in Europe doesn't prove that it's unlocked.

Again, if the US GSM iPad 2 turns out to be unlocked, then great. Until then, I rather have a realistic expectation. All the other Android tablets in the US are provider locked, and nobody's complaining.

You've been claiming that the iPad2 3G is locked. But where does it say that the iPad2 3G is actually locked to the carrier?

Considering the original iPad was sold unlocked the natural reaction to an iPad2 being locked would be one of surprise.

 

[pika2000]

That I understand and agree with, but you said "consumers demand locked phones" which is what I was asking about. Maybe you meant "carriers demand locked phones"?

If US consumers demanded unlocked phones, then Nokia, SE, and the Nexus phones would the the main bestsellers. Fact is, they are not. Compare this to countries like Hong Kong, where there are no restrictions/regulations whether a phone should be unlocked or not. Manufactures and carriers can lock their phones if they chose to. But fact is phones there are sold unlocked. In the US, there's no such regulation either, but the phones are provider-locked. That tells me that the remaining factor is the demand. Demand and supply. If there's a demand, there's supply. With the fact being the supply consists mainly of provider-locked phones, it's safe to deduce that that is what being demanded.

I know its not one model because Apple made it clear that you have to choose either the GSM or CDMA version of the iPad 3G when purchasing. I'm not saying they don't both have the Qualcomm MDM6600 chip - they probably do - as does the verizon iPhone 4 (the one capable of gsm, cdma and hspa). What I'm curious about is why Apple didn't design it to have both CDMA and GSM capabilities out of the box. It would have reduced 6 SKUs from the supply chain and retail, and also would have allowed customers in the US to choose who they purchase data from.

I doubt Verizon would allow that. Even their world phones are provider locked.

 

[pika2000]

You've been claiming that the iPad2 3G is locked. But where does it say that the iPad2 3G is actually locked to the carrier?

Considering the original iPad was sold unlocked the natural reaction to an iPad2 being locked would be one of surprise.

I'm claiming the assumption based on the limited information that Apple provided. Do I want the iPad 2 3G to be locked? No. But let's have a realistic expectation here.
In the countries where the iPad 2 3G is definitely unlocked, like the UK, Apple specifically stated that on their website. We're talking about US here, where all the other tablets with cellular radio are provider locked. That is the norm, and thus the assumption made. Heck, even the US iPhone 4 is still provider locked despite the fact Apple is selling unlocked iPhone 4s in Canada and Mexico, and the fact that the AT&T exclusivity deal was over. If Verizon managed to get a provider-locked iPad 2, do you think AT&T wouldn't want to demand the same thing from Apple?

 

[profets]

I'm claiming the assumption based on the limited information that Apple provided. Do I want the iPad 2 3G to be locked? No. But let's have a realistic expectation here.
In the countries where the iPad 2 3G is definitely unlocked, like the UK, Apple specifically stated that on their website. We're talking about US here, where all the other tablets with cellular radio are provider locked. That is the norm, and thus the assumption made. Heck, even the US iPhone 4 is still provider locked despite the fact Apple is selling unlocked iPhone 4s in Canada and Mexico, and the fact that the AT&T exclusivity deal was over. If Verizon managed to get a provider-locked iPad 2, do you think AT&T wouldn't want to demand the same thing from Apple?

All that apple has shown is that you need to choose a GSM or CDMA version. The first iPad is sold unlocked. Unless they specifically mention that the GSM model will be locked I'd assume that the iPad 2 is following how the original iPad is sold.

In regards to the iPhone 4, its sold unlocked in Canada because they never had an exclusivity agreement with any carrier and at launch there was 5 possible carriers to choose from. Apple's exclusivity with AT&T just ended recently and they'll probably wait until the next iPhone to worry about selling it unlocked. Curious, can you even buy a non-subsidized iPhone 4 from Apple directly?

 

[pika2000]

Apple's exclusivity with AT&T just ended recently and they'll probably wait until the next iPhone to worry about selling it unlocked. Curious, can you even buy a non-subsidized iPhone 4 from Apple directly?

What's the hold up? It's not like they don't have some unlocked iPhone 4s ready to ship. In fact, I think even the iPhone 5 will still be AT&T locked in the US (which kinda explains why Apple is rumored to be prepping up the iPhone "nano." I presume that would be the unlocked iPhone from the get go in the US).
Yes, you can buy an unsubsidized iPhone 4 if you're not eligible for the upgrade price (aka existing AT&T customer wanting early upgrade), but it's still provider-locked. I don't know if you could do it from the website though.

 

[profets]

What's the hold up? It's not like they don't have some unlocked iPhone 4s ready to ship. In fact, I think even the iPhone 5 will still be AT&T locked in the US (which kinda explains why Apple is rumored to be prepping up the iPhone "nano." I presume that would be the unlocked iPhone from the get go in the US).
Yes, you can buy an unsubsidized iPhone 4 if you're not eligible for the upgrade price (aka existing AT&T customer wanting early upgrade), but it's still provider-locked.

Actually it would be easy, as iPhones (in canada and other countries anyway) are not locked/unlocked until the point of sale or shipped to carriers, and are all controlled through itunes anyway. In Canada the 3G and 3GS were available on just one carrier and never sold unlocked. The launch of the iPhone 4 was the first launch where multiple carriers were available and they then started to sell the iPhone unlocked at non-subsidized price (from Apple only). That's why I'd guess that this summer would be a time to sell it unlocked in the US (but who knows).

 

[frozzbite]

iPad 2 is UNLOCKED

Just called 1800-MY-APPLE. Very simply put, the iPad 2 will come unlocked.

There were more details regarding the frequency XX country might use, then she(customer service) goes on to say that if that country sells ipad 2s with a particular carrier or carriers, chances are, you can use your US bought iPad 2 with that carrier's sim card.

That puts me at ease....

 

[adityashah1989]

Just called 1800-MY-APPLE. Very simply put, the iPad 2 will come unlocked.

There were more details regarding the frequency XX country might use, then she(customer service) goes on to say that if that country sells ipad 2s with a particular carrier or carriers, chances are, you can use your US bought iPad 2 with that carrier's sim card.

That puts me at ease....

Thanks.