iPhone Unlocking - Lets settle this...

[David R]

I travel to Europe quite often and T-Mobile had no problem unlocking my Blackberry for me when I asked.

I'll keep it for when I travel, but I still wish AT&T would be willing to unlock the iPhone after a few months of service so that I could use that instead.

 

[mpw]

Thanks for the warm welcome by the way smart ass. You and others in this thread have proven why there is such a stigma of snobiness with mac elites. You are one of them. Go takes some high school lit classes and come back and play grammar police.

You've missed my subtle humour, but then you're American so I'll forgive you.

That first line was meant as friendly banter, I try to put humour into as many of my posts as possible because I love a laugh me 😀

Trust me I'm no Mac snob, if you read many of my past posts you see that's true, I came to this site with a valid query just like you, but I stay for the chicks not the geek talk.

You asked some questions I gave some answers, sorry you didn't get my humour, or understand those answers.

I'll pass on the classes if it's all the same to you, did them once already and now know more about using language than any of those teachers were able to teach.

 

[Corbett]

i'm guessing that if unlocked, the first time you sync with iTunes it'll disabled all functionality of the phone. just my guess.

i believe unlocking the iPhone is a 2 step process. first, actually removing the SIM lock (which i bet AT&T will not do. they can only unlock phones in which the vendor provides codes, and i doubt Apple will provide a code). the second part, once the phone itself is hacked, is some 3rd party application other than iTunes to sync the phone since iTunes will probably cripple the phone rendering it useless.

Wow, I hope that is not the case. I mean, Apple would really have duped some customers when they realize they have a pay a monthly fee to listen to music and watch movies on their iPhone.

 

[mpw]

...Apple would really have duped some customers when they realize they have a pay a monthly fee to listen to music and watch movies on their iPhone.

I suspect that the SIM will need to be in the phone to activate it, and as everybody knows they have to sign up for two years this isn't duping really. I further assume that the iPod functions etc. will work as long as the SIM is in place regardless as to whether the AT&T account and contract remain. Meaning that people WILL be able to retain the unit as an iPod after an account expires, but they won't be able to use the phone.

 

[fishkorp]

Wow, I hope that is not the case. I mean, Apple would really have duped some customers when they realize they have a pay a monthly fee to listen to music and watch movies on their iPhone.

how is that duping customers? It says on the Apple site that activation is required for iPod functionality?

 

[Corbett]

You've missed my subtle humour, but then you're American so I'll forgive you.

I did them once already and now know more about using language than any of those teachers were able to teach.

No elitism here, move along please....LOL

 

[ps49556n]

Wow, I hope that is not the case. I mean, Apple would really have duped some customers when they realize they have a pay a monthly fee to listen to music and watch movies on their iPhone.

How the **** is apple "duping" anyone???? "iPhone" The name has "phone" in it, you are telling me people are under the impression that they will magically get free phone service with the purchase "just another ipod"???? LOL

 

[Corbett]

How the **** is apple "duping" anyone???? "iPhone" The name has "phone" in it, you are telling me people are under the impression that they will magically get free phone service with the purchase "just another ipod"???? LOL

Try and follow along....

I am not saying phone service should be free, I am saying you shouldnt have to have phone service to use the ipod functionality!

 

[AirmanPika]

All snide comments aside...

Consider this. The iPhone is the most anticipated phone (or gadget) ever. That means everyone wants one. Now, the iPhone is locked to the US AT&T market for the forseeable future and who know exactly when people overseas will get it. Because of this you will likely see 2 things. First is that ebay will probably become the key way someone from...say...Germany gets an iPhone. Now. The 2nd part comes into play. EVERYONE wants one. Even those who can't use it and since it is a gadget the more technically inclined will get one. This will tend to lead to a much larger group of people trying to figure out how to unlock the phone. Many will get em just for the chance at hacking em. Now the fact that it runs OSX may or may not make this easier. And yes its all also dependent on exactly how the SIM card is implemented (personally I think its just gonna be a normal card). We saw what happened when the iMac gained the ability but not the capability to run windows. A massive effort to get windows running came out of that. I have a hunch the iPhone will have a similar group.

 

[diabolic]

On the Apple discussions, someone claiming to be an AT&T employee who just was trained on the iPhone said this:

in the past, anyone could get a cingular phone, slide in their active sim card and voila! the phone had their number and it worked. you could interchange the sim card from phone to phone to phone and it would work flawlesly.

apple changed the ballgame on this. a lot of people think that they can put in their existing at and t sim card in the iphone, slide one over on them and it will work. well, it won't. for the first time ever, the phones IMEI (serial number) is married to the sim card. i

n the past regardless if a phone's imei was registered, it would work with an active sim card. the iphone won't. an active sim in an iphone does nothing. the custoemr will have to call in to at and t with the iphones IMEI number. the IMEI in addition with the SIM will be what activates the phone and a 2 year contract is then automatically added by the system.

so this is just a technical way of saying that they mean what they say. when apple and at and t say that it requires a contract, they ain't lying! both sides did their homework and i must say they've done it well. as of now there is no way to pull the wool and get this to work.

 

[mpw]

Try and follow along....

I am not saying phone service should be free, I am saying you shouldnt have to have phone service to use the ipod functionality!

I think people are seeing a difference between the 'obstructive' and perhaps 'unfair' action of Apple (as some see it) to limit the use of the unit by linking it to an AT&T contract to 'duping' as you put it.

To be duped I think implies you tricked into parting with your cash under a pretense, but Apple aren't doing that are they? They're saying this is our offer, wanna take it up?

So there's no duping.

 

[tasslehawf]

I have a feeling that Apple (not ATT) will came up with a way (hardware lock, or whatnot) that will prevent the phone from working on other networks, even if it can be unlocked. Its going to take some serious blackmarket hardware geeks to get it to work.

We're going to see a huge amount of people on day one who buy the phone specifically to unlock it and they are going to be very dissapointed.

Also, I think that even though the sidekick example is T-Mobiles baby (designed by Danger), I think Apple is probably going for the same model (even though ATT wasn't their first choice).

 

[kamiboy]

Well, I just read this question being addressed on Apples own iPhone FAQ.

Can I “unlock” iPhone and use it with another wireless carrier?

AT&T is the exclusive wireless carrier for iPhone in the United States. If you currently use another wireless carrier, you can choose to transfer your number when you activate your AT&T account.

It does not specifically say "No, you can't" it just repeats what they've been saying about exclusive carrier business. It prolly could be takes to mean that iPhone is unlockable and just wont work with anything other than att.

I have to say, the more of such details are revealed about the iPhone the more disappointed I become of Apple. Hardware locked to att and the only way to get your own ringtones on the device is to pay a set amount to convert make 30sec clip of an audio you already have?

I used to admire Apple as being the anti m$ and the only real opposition to their evil empire. But now it seems with the iPhones Apple is taking those first few steps into becoming one themselves. Somehow I feel that the young and idealistic Steve Jobs would have had many objections to where his older counterpart is turning the company into.

In Europe things are a little different, so I hope that Apple will get a much needed slap to the face if they try to employ some of the same tactics once the iPhone launches here.

 

[mchank]

Don't cell phone manufacturers by law have to allow you to unlock you cell phone? According to this Gizmodo post:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/freedom-rings-cellphones-must-be-unlockable-216992.php

And this article:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/293875_unlock28.html

From what I can see, Apple by law can't stop you from unlocking the iPhone for use on other networks/overseas. Whether or not they'll do it for you is another matter.

 

[marksman]

Dont listen to these people.
The iPhone, like any phone is hackable.
Within a week of its release there will be unlocking service for it just like any other phone.

Yeah and unlocked iPhone will likely get you a dialtone at best and do absolutely nothing else.

People expecting to just be able to unlock the iPhone and take a fully functioning iPhone, iPod, Camera, Mail program, Web Browser to another network are likely to be HORRIBLY disappointed.

If you just want it as a cell phone, it is horribly overpriced.

 

[marksman]

Wow, I hope that is not the case. I mean, Apple would really have duped some customers when they realize they have a pay a monthly fee to listen to music and watch movies on their iPhone.

The rate plan SPECIFICALLY says that the 2 year contract and rate plan are required for iPod functionality on the iPhone.

I don't know how someone would be duped by that.

 

[marksman]

Don't cell phone manufacturers by law have to allow you to unlock you cell phone? According to this Gizmodo post:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/freedom-rings-cellphones-must-be-unlockable-216992.php

And this article:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/293875_unlock28.html

From what I can see, Apple by law can't stop you from unlocking the iPhone for use on other networks/overseas. Whether or not they'll do it for you is another matter.

You are right they can not stop you from unlocking the phone. However they are not obligated to have the phone actually work if you unlock the sim.

People need to realize Apple gets a cut of the monthly revenue. They have zero motivation to not do everything they can to make sure every iPhone owner is also a full voice/data plan buyer.

 

[Corbett]

I have a feeling that Apple (not ATT) will came up with a way (hardware lock, or whatnot) that will prevent the phone from working on other networks, even if it can be unlocked.

LOL! So then why is Jobs touting the fact that this phone is a GSM world phone that works in Europe and Asia? AT&T doesnt have a network there so how do you expect it to work there other than having the phone unlocked?

 

[mpw]

LOL! So then why is Jobs touting the fact that this phone is a GSM world phone that works in Europe and Asia? AT&T doesnt have a network there so how do you expect it to work there other than having the phone unlocked?

Roaming?

 

[AlexGFX88]

First, Corbett, you need to simmer down. Everything said thus far has been friendly and not meant to cut you down or give you an unfriendly welcome. I've found in my period here at MacRumors, with the exception of one or two, everyone has been a great help, and welcomed any question I've had.

Second, I disagree with the speculation that unlocked iPhone's will be out within weeks. I think it might be harder to crack than people think. And, like noted, even when it is unlocked, it's not going to give you full functionality.

Third, let me try and extend a warm welcome, since you feel you haven't received one. Welcome to MacRumors; I hope you enjoy your time posting here!

Cheers,
Alex

 

[Corbett]

Yeah and unlocked iPhone will likely get you a dialtone at best and do absolutely nothing else.

People expecting to just be able to unlock the iPhone and take a fully functioning iPhone, iPod, Camera, Mail program, Web Browser to another network are likely to be HORRIBLY disappointed.

If you just want it as a cell phone, it is horribly overpriced.

Quit talking out your lower parts! You and many others here are falling for the Apple marketing hype. They tell you it only works with AT&T just like they said the iPod only works with iTunes.

If you really believe what you just said, YOU will be horribly disappointed when the phone is unlocked and working great for users like me.

 

[Corbett]

Roaming?

Have you ever been overseas with a US cell phone?

 

[Corbett]

First, Corbett, you need to simmer down. Everything said thus far has been friendly and not meant to cut you down or give you an unfriendly welcome. I've found in my period here at MacRumors, with the exception of one or two, everyone has been a great help, and welcomed any question I've had.

Second, I disagree with the speculation that unlocked iPhone's will be out within weeks. I think it might be harder to crack than people think. And, like noted, even when it is unlocked, it's not going to give you full functionality.

Third, let me try and extend a warm welcome, since you feel you haven't received one. Welcome to MacRumors; I hope you enjoy your time posting here!

Cheers,
Alex

Well thank you for the warm welcome, serisouly. I'm just annyoned by some of the comments I see here that seem to have no proof or even hint of evidence. That is where my frustration comes from. We will just wait and see. I believe once the phone is unlocked the only issues one may have would be with network specific features such as visual voicemail. Everything else I believe will be usable. Thats my guess.

 

[fishkorp]

Have you ever been overseas with a US cell phone? You cant roam.

as long as it is a quad band phone (which the iPhone is) it will work. my wife travels all over the world and her quad band phone works fine with her Cingular SIM card (phone is not an unlocked phone). dual-band and tri-band phones however (which up until a year or so ago most US GSM phones were dual-band) will not work in certain countries. as long as there is a signal, the iPhone will "work" in any country. the amount you'll have to pay to actually use the phone is a completely different story, which is why the FAQ says something about getting an international rate plan or something like that.

but the phone most certainly will work locked with an AT&T SIM.

 

[Corbett]

as long as it is a quad band phone (which the iPhone is) it will work. my wife travels all over the world and her quad band phone works fine with her Cingular SIM card (phone is not an unlocked phone). dual-band and tri-band phones however (which up until a year or so ago most US GSM phones were dual-band) will not work in certain countries. as long as there is a signal, the iPhone will "work" in any country. the amount you'll have to pay to actually use the phone is a completely different story, which is why the FAQ says something about getting an international rate plan or something like that.

but the phone most certainly will work locked with an AT&T SIM.

I stand corrected on the roaming part. I was not aware its a quad band.

That aside, the assumption put forth here is that the phone will only be fully functional if it has an AT&T sim inside of it. I highly doubt this is true. Only time will tell.