I'll never understand the gratification some people get by commenting on stories as if they were the end-all, know-all authority on all the issues involved, then talking down (at length) to others who think otherwise. It's mind-boggling.
I would guess this move is due to pressure from AT&T. A lot of people in the US have been turned off by the exclusive service commitment, hence the demand for unlocked phones (I'd love an iPhone, but I think the price and quality of T-mobile's service far outweigh the need to keep up with the iJoneses). It seems like Apple would make more money with a lax unlocking policy, as opening up the iPhone to multiple carriers would drastically increase its potential market. The only company who wins here is AT&T.
Seriously though, is anyone doubting that a post-update version of the hack is going to be released in record time?
Well AT&T and apple care. Apple is not only fleecing its consumers (especially early adapters) for full pop pricing with no subsidization on 2 year contracts, they are also getting a nice chunk of the AT&T contracts. 10% to 20% I would guess?? These deals are obviously more lucrative then actual hardware sales or they would have just released the handsets and sold way more of them unlocked. One could have wondered if they may have done just as well selling it to the carriers and making them overpay for it and let them subsidize it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
trevor @ Sep 24th 2007 7:00PM
I'll never understand the gratification some people get by commenting on stories as if they were the end-all, know-all authority on all the issues involved, then talking down (at length) to others who think otherwise. It's mind-boggling.
I would guess this move is due to pressure from AT&T. A lot of people in the US have been turned off by the exclusive service commitment, hence the demand for unlocked phones (I'd love an iPhone, but I think the price and quality of T-mobile's service far outweigh the need to keep up with the iJoneses). It seems like Apple would make more money with a lax unlocking policy, as opening up the iPhone to multiple carriers would drastically increase its potential market. The only company who wins here is AT&T.
Seriously though, is anyone doubting that a post-update version of the hack is going to be released in record time?
jgignac @ Sep 29th 2007 11:59AM
Well AT&T and apple care. Apple is not only fleecing its consumers (especially early adapters) for full pop pricing with no subsidization on 2 year contracts, they are also getting a nice chunk of the AT&T contracts. 10% to 20% I would guess?? These deals are obviously more lucrative then actual hardware sales or they would have just released the handsets and sold way more of them unlocked. One could have wondered if they may have done just as well selling it to the carriers and making them overpay for it and let them subsidize it.