Carphone Warehouse concedes defeat in attempted iPhone coup
Despite a concerted effort to lock up iPhone exclusivity following Apple's January announcement (also known as "the most important day in history" to some), it appears that Cupertino has given the UK's Carphone Warehouse nothing but cold shoulders. The mobile retail giant has officially given up hope of having the iPhone all to its very own, admitting that Apple is probably looking to sign with a carrier more than it is a retail outlet. In even thinking it'll get the iPhone, though, we still think the company might be a bit optimistic -- isn't there a chance that Apple is going to bypass independent retail entirely and sell the handset exclusively through its own stores and an exclusive carrier partner, same as it's doing here?[Via mocoNews]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
carlo @ May 1st 2007 12:50PM
That they even thought they had a chance makes me feel embarrassed for them. I guess they didn't read the employee Q&A memo. *chuckle*
My guess is that Vodafone or Orange will get them before any "warehouse" retailer.
Todd @ May 1st 2007 1:07PM
They are gonna sell iPhones in Apple Stores?
Does that mean I will be able to buy one outright, without signing up for a Cingular contract?
If true, can I buy one, invoke the "You can't lock phones to carriers" ruling?
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061124-8280.html
Jason @ May 1st 2007 1:51PM
Actually the exemption to the DMCA just says that it is legal for you to unlock your phone and move it to another carrier. It doesn't say that the carrier/manufacturer isn't allowed to lock it in the first place, or that they need to help you unlock it.
All it says is that if you find a way to unlock your phone that the carrier or manufacturer can't sue you under the DMCA.
carlo @ May 1st 2007 3:38PM
I dunno Jason, but I thought I read somewhere that you can buy one independent of a contract at an Apple store. But I don't think they'll have a removeable sim card, or battery like iPods.
I don't wanna share incorrect information, so you should check out the previous thread about the ATT Employee Q&A document.
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/25/iphone-qanda-for-atandt-employees/
?? @ May 1st 2007 6:53PM
Trust me. It's not in Apple's interest to sell these without some form of contract. Even if the phones are sold unsubsidised...