You heard it from Jobs himself - Unlocked iPhones

[one1]

Here's the reply you didn't get, but would have gotten if he could say it aloud.

From: sjobs@apple.com
Subject: iPhone UK release Anger

Luke,

Of the carriers that use sim cards, AT&T has most of the market share, and Tmobile has the rest. While we needed a scape goat to push the iPhones release and market it along side a big network, we left enough holes open to allow the phone to be unlocked and used on a variety of carriers so that we would not be restricted to sales on only one single network of all the networks out there. That would be silly of us, no?

Now that we have the ability to sell the iPhone in all markets and nearly double it's already outstanding sales, we are dancing around a pot of gold and avoiding the issue as long as possible until we release a statement that will go something to the effect of "don't do that it is wrong, that is all... thanks for coming"


Best,
Steve

Apple users are the best hackers on the planet because we hack for good and not evil. (read: no malicious software, done for the bettering of the community and it's users) Do you REEEAALLLYYY think Jobs didn't anticipate this happening?

 

[sanford]

Not long.

Somebody posted above that Apple doesn't really care about unlockers. No, they really do, no matter how they philosophically feel about it. They have contracts to deal with. What extent of lack of due diligence will make a court let AT&T out of any obligations to Apple. There goes Visual Voicemail, maybe YouTube, probably other planned future feature requiring carrier support. What if AT&T doesn't go so far as to seek to terminate the contract but just stops bothering to adequately support iPhone customers, which the vast majority of iPhone customers are on ATT. They care because they are compelled to care.

I'm also curious why a lot of people assume Apple makes more money off selling more iPhones that can be unlocked than they do revenue sharing on ATT contracts. I'm no more privy to the numbers than anyone else, but it's certainly possible the exclusive revenue sharing deals with locked-phone sales levels make Apple more money than unlocked sales.

Anyway, I again state I think this probably should have been done with an unlocked phone with a partner carrier pushing customers to the partner through value-added features, support and inconveniences specially designed to make the iPhone not so great for use on other carriers. But then again Jobs didn't ask me.

Obviously, Jobs knows people hack. He hacked ATT himself for free calls himself when he was a teen, with blue boxes. But part of me wonders if, since he fought like hell for a cheap unlimited data plan, decent voice rate plans, industry-standard overage charges, special treatment for iPhone customers, part of me wonders if he isn't a bit surprised so many people in the States where service has already been available through ATT are so hot to unlock.

Fair enough.

I just don't get why he felt the need to preach to the choir. Apple know hackers are getting into their phone and are supposedly addressing the issue. Steve even said they'll try to keep hackers out. In reality they'll re-lock the phone again to please partners and hackers will unlock it again and they'll lock it and hackers will unlock and they'll lock and hackers will unlock.....

My view is the OP feels he is being ripped off to an extent and wants a pat on the back reassuring him that he isn't which i guess he got in a way but how long will that last?

 

[oxeneers]

Am I the only person in this thread that thinks this is fake? Kid could just be making up the alleged email from "Steve"

 

[Kchino]

Am I the only person in this thread that thinks this is fake? Kid could just be making up the alleged email from "Steve"

Of course it's fake, Apple doesn't reply to emails unless you're contacting CS, they implicitly say so for all of their feedback addresses. It's BS.

 

[sananda]

Of course it's fake, Apple doesn't reply to emails unless you're contacting CS, they implicitly say so for all of their feedback addresses. It's BS.

apple does reply to emails, in my experience.

 

[Kchino]

apple does reply to emails, in my experience.

So what's your experience?

 

[sananda]

So what's your experience?

i recently sent an email to apple (the steve email address) on a saturday recently concerning some matters it is not relevant to mention. i received a reply the next day asking me when would be a convenient time to call. and i had a very pleasant conversation with someone.

 

[npdale]

i've said it once and i'll say it again... I will happily sign up to O2 legitimatly if I was getting a decent deal... there are **** all texts and mins to comparable packages UK customers expect and don't give me that "unlimited" data crap...

Unlimited data capped at 1400 pages - "pages" by the way hasn't been defined in an actual downloadable figure in MB per day so hmmm.... unlimited?

And unlimited data on a network which doesn't even have 30% coverage yet.... WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP.... most of the UK will be paying for NOTHING!!! They didn't even have Edge coverage at the UK launch event for god's sake! so no thanks...

And cloud is bitterly woeful when put up next to T-Mobiles wifi service (which is in pretty much every starbucks, airport and decent hotel, bar and pub) so excuse me for not jumping for joy...

O2 are trying to scam everyone pure and simple... I just can't bring myself to pay £45 a month for such a useless piece of CRAP tariff...

 

[Kchino]

i recently sent an email to apple (the steve email address) on a saturday recently concerning some matters it is not relevant to mention. i received a reply the next day asking me when would be a convenient time to call. and i had a very pleasant conversation with someone.

I'm not sure if you could be more ambiguous, except for the inclusion of the "steve email address" so I'm still calling BS! Thanks for sharing though.

 

[sananda]

I'm not sure if you could be more ambiguous, except for the inclusion of the "steve email address" so I'm still calling BS! Thanks for sharing though.

don't you roll your eyes at me! you ask me a question and i reply. you respond in this discourteous way.

 

[Kchino]

don't you roll your eyes at me! you ask me a question and i reply. you respond in this discourteous way.

I said thanks, lighten up . It's not discourteous to be skeptical.

 

[sananda]

I said thanks, lighten up . It's not discourteous to be skeptical.

i found it discourteous. i merely try to give you information that i had emailed steve (or whoever reads emails sent to that address) and received a prompt response since you asserted that they do not answer and suggested (on that basis) that it was likely that op was lying. i didn't tell you what the emails were about as it's not important. you pull me up for being vague and then roll your eyes.

i have no idea what passes for politeness wherever you are, but i found that rather rude when i was merely attempting to be helpful.

 

[Canuck4]

1400 pages per day dude.
How much do you think you'll browse or download? You'll be online 24/7 with it.
When they say unlimited it means you wont have to worry about going over, and Im sure they'll give you plenty of data. Very rare you see anyone get shut down for using too much internet, as a matter of fact with AT&T and the iphone I never heard of one instanse yet.

i've said it once and i'll say it again... I will happily sign up to O2 legitimatly if I was getting a decent deal... there are **** all texts and mins to comparable packages UK customers expect and don't give me that "unlimited" data crap...

Unlimited data capped at 1400 pages - "pages" by the way hasn't been defined in an actual downloadable figure in MB per day so hmmm.... unlimited?

And unlimited data on a network which doesn't even have 30% coverage yet.... WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP.... most of the UK will be paying for NOTHING!!! They didn't even have Edge coverage at the UK launch event for god's sake! so no thanks...

And cloud is bitterly woeful when put up next to T-Mobiles wifi service (which is in pretty much every starbucks, airport and decent hotel, bar and pub) so excuse me for not jumping for joy...

O2 are trying to scam everyone pure and simple... I just can't bring myself to pay £45 a month for such a useless piece of CRAP tariff...

 

[Kchino]

i found it discourteous. i merely try to give you information that i had emailed steve (or whoever reads emails sent to that address) and received a prompt response since you asserted that they do not answer and suggested (on that basis) that it was likely that op was lying. i didn't tell you what the emails were about as it's not important. you pull me up for being vague and then roll your eyes.

i have no idea what passes for politeness wherever you are, but i found that rather rude when i was merely attempting to be helpful.

I apologize if I offended you with the word ambiguity, and an emoticon, regarding a post, on a rumor forum, from a teenager who said SJ emailed him and said "check it out" the O2 offerings are a great deal. And you're right it isn't important, it's comical if anything.

 

[npdale]

1400 pages per day dude.
How much do you think you'll browse or download? You'll be online 24/7 with it.
When they say unlimited it means you wont have to worry about going over, and Im sure they'll give you plenty of data. Very rare you see anyone get shut down for using too much internet, as a matter of fact with AT&T and the iphone I never heard of one instanse yet.

even so... have fun finding reception lol ... I have a little rant/speech below.

Admittedly, 1400 pages is a lot... but O2 still have a lot of leeway to cut people off for overuse as they haven't specified an actual amount of data you're allowed to use in a day... so when they start saying you have overused the service, what come back do you have? none.... and trust me it will happen... O2 can't get their standard customer bills right from what I hear... :S

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saynotoO2

Come on guys, O2's tariffs need addressing... I REALLY want to get an official iPhone but O2 cannot be serious about the price they are asking for the service they are delivering...

- only 30% coverage... meaning how many of us get NOTHING in the months after launch (note: they didn't even have EDGE coverage at their own launch event in London! So how quick can they be sorting it?)

- Inferior wifi service : Since T-Mobile have starbucks, airports, hotels, bars, restaurants etc etc etc where do cloud actually cover? This was clearly a last min attempt to make the rubbish EDGE coverage seem less, but doesn't do much to stop the majority of the UK having no coverage, once again!

- Abismal allowances for texts and calls... the UK market is at a VERY advanced stage and with other tariffs offering MUCH more for the same price or less then they need to offer more... I'd happily pay it IF the texts and calls were realistic at least... I mean on camparable tariffs...

http://shop.o2.co.uk/tariffs

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobi...nthly/flext/18mth-flext-50-5-off-line-rental/

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/index.cfm?go=paymonthly.selectaplan&numCategory=3&WT.sv1=link2

these are to highlight but a few... including tariffs from O2 themselves, which just highlight what a joke the iPhone tariffs are.

Also (we shall gloss over the legality of locking a phone in the EU especially one that isn't supplimented by the service provider) What you also have to remember is that these plans that are £35-£55 include a highly subsidised or FREE phone, often of comparable value to the beloved iPhone (don't get me wrong here - i think the iPhone price point is spot on) and thats why you pay more for the monthly tariff, because the service provider (O2 etc) subsidise the unit in exchange for the 12/18 month contract.

Here we pay FULL price for the phone but still expect to also pay a full monthly rate... we should be getting cheaper tariffs because O2 don't have to subsidise the unit. OK so that rumoured 40% profit "share" with Apple is harsh, but hey, thats their screw up.. not our fault if their negotiators are rubbish is it?

So basically I am lodging complaints and a petition with those compaints.

I am taking it to O2 in one month and I am also writing to the press to highlight this issue (since they seem to enjoy mocking the iPhone price).

So please, everyone who feels that O2 are being a little silly/downright outrageous with these deals, click, sign the petition and lets see what happens... it doesn't take long to register and it could make a difference..

(oh and everyone who says "apple and O2 will only listen with revenues" and protest by not buying... thats not going to happen and I know that... but don't be so niaeve to think that customer complaints don't dictate policy change, especially very noisy ones ... I have spent many years in companies and it is just this kind of thing that can make a difference. The point is not to get immediate change but for them to reconsider and perhaps alter them after Nov 9th to more reasonable deals... everyone would benefit.)

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saynotoO2

 

[sananda]

I apologize if I offended you with the word ambiguity, and an emoticon, regarding a post, on a rumor forum, from a teenager who said SJ emailed him and said "check it out" the O2 offerings are a great deal. And you're right it isn't important, it's comical if anything.

apology accepted.

 

[smacman]

Hustle,

While you are petitioning Steve Jobs / Apple to punish people that are running with unlocked phones, did you ever consider that some of us live in places that have no foreseeable release date. In fact, some of us live in places where the phone may NEVER be released. Don't be a selfish twit. If you really can't wait for the phone or want the flexibility to use any provider, than get a phone now. If you are willing to wait and be locked to O2, then good for you. Don't ruin it for the rest of us....

 

[Sobe]

skepticism is not the same thing as doubting someone's truthfulness.

Skepticism implies a certain level of uncertainty, not an insistence on the validity of one position over another.

Be skeptical by all means, but let's explore the possibility that it might be a legitimate response, even if one thinks it unlikely to be from Steve Jobs himself.

To me it raises several interesting issues:

Is there any precedent for a company having a policy pro or anti unlocking?

Apple does break the mold a little in how this phone is marketed to the consumers in that it bypasses the wireless provider in ways not done in the past.

Does this mean that Apple is "semi-embracing" an unlocked phone model, tacitly if not openly?

Or is it just a way for Apple to maintain more control over its product?

There are many legitimate points to discuss, let's try to elevate the conversation in a constructive way and address some of these issues in a thought provoking manner.

 

[MiLK©]

I'm going to be purchasing an iPhone when they are released on November 9th, but the fact that many people are buying iPhones and unlocking them is unfair on the people that are spending a huge amount of money on the iPhone and its not so good 02 tariff.

Umm..why is this unfair? How is it in any way directly affecting you?

I have the choice between a free iPhone and good tariff, or paying £269 for an iPhone and getting a crappy tariff. Which am I gonna go for?

I really can't see how this is 'unfair'. I'm simply getting the best deal I can get for myself. You get whichever deal suits you, and I will get the one that suits me.

I respect the fact that your only 16 and are making a stand for what apparently you feel is 'unfair', but I really cannot see any substance to your argument.

 

[zub3qin]

i recently sent an email to apple (the steve email address) on a saturday recently concerning some matters it is not relevant to mention. i received a reply the next day asking me when would be a convenient time to call. and i had a very pleasant conversation with someone.

This is a very cryptic post.

 

[TXCraig]

Really, not that anyone or Apple will agree with me, but probably the best way to handle this, perhaps the way it should have been handled in the first place, if this unlocking business is really more than just a tiny niche problem: Unlock the stupid things. Work with their carrier partners to provide WOW! features only supported by their carrier partners, and make those features so proprietary other carriers can't figure out how to offer them, or if they do they would break some IP laws, so they won't get sued over it. Then only sell the phone with a partner carrier SIM and activation process, and only support them with a valid partner carrier contract. Provide software updates to iTunes and the iPhone that are reckless with phones running on other carriers, so you never know when your iPhone will break if you aren't using a partner carrier.

Back when we didn't know who was going to sell the iPhone in the US, I thought that apple would sell the phone unlocked and let you take it to any GSM system and use it. Apple is a hardware company and what do the care about what carrier you use.

It didn't happen that way. Apple figured that they could do something no other phone hardware company has ever done- take a cut of the phone's monthly service charges. To do that, they would have to give a exclusive a single carrier in an area or country.

This is why they will "fix" the unlocking situation that is going on right now. I will bet the software upgrade that will add the wireless iTunes store to the phone will also lock the unlocked phones or at least stop the unlocking software from working. People will then have to decided if they want the new feature(s) or the phone unlocked.

I wish they didn't have partner carriers but they saw a new way to generate revenue and they are in business to make money.

 

[dangleheart]

This is a very cryptic post.

and to the point, if I may add.

 

[notjustjay]

This is a very cryptic post.

While I have no personal experience with sending emails to "sjobs@mac.com", I have been reading MacRumors forums long enough to have seen multiple reports by people who have sent complaints to that email and had their situation cleared up promptly, and have no reason to question the credibility of either the OP's report or the person you are quoting.

Obviously it's not actually Steve Jobs' personal email address. Obviously he is not personally replying to them all. He mostly like doesn't even read any of them. It's obviously handled by someone else, likely someone who has the authority to escalate customer service issues. I think it's a great idea (how better to satisfy your customers than by making them think they can go right to the top -- and get a response?)

Would it make you feel better if the email address was "customerservice@apple.com" or "ombudsman@apple.com"? Would the story be any more or less credible?

 

[IDANNY]

someone should email the same exact thing to customer service and see what they get in response .

 

[EvryDayImShufln]

Hey dude in the UK. Guess what, I'm in Canada and where is the iPhone? I don't see it coming here for another few months at the least.

And if it did, the LAST thing I'd ever do is pay 60 bucks for a ****** data plan that uses edge. I pay 20$ a month for my plan now and it suits me just fine. Maybe we live in capitalistic countries, but I think if you can get around something legally, especially something as minor as this, what is the problem?

I like the product but I have no interest in any specific carrier other than my own.