08-25-2007, 10:20 PM | #1 |
Sir Penguin of Edinburgh
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Iphone Unlocked
Engadget was shown a successful software unlock method for the Iphone. Cool.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/24/i...ugust-24-2007/ |
08-26-2007, 03:25 AM | #2 |
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Actually made the public paper over here, kinda exciting to hear. Apparently the guy (a 17 y.o. kid!) who figured out how to unlock the carrier on the iPhone said that while it works, it takes a couple of hours to do, so I guess it isn't for the faint of heart. Now it's just a matter of time before China starts importing a slew and releases them on eBay at a fat profit (maybe, I know the iPhone is overly expensive as it is, can't imagine how much this will add to their charges).
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08-26-2007, 06:29 AM | #3 | |
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08-26-2007, 07:21 AM | #4 | |
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08-26-2007, 07:41 AM | #5 |
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Wasn't there a Chinese knock-off already? The tPhone which was unlocked?
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08-26-2007, 11:42 PM | #6 | |
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08-27-2007, 02:37 AM | #7 |
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Sorry - you misunderstand me. I mean "no benefit to anyone in the long term". Obviously this will permit people to use an iPhone at much lower rates on other network, but at the expense of Apple probably making a loss on that device because they aren't getting the revenue from the phone contract. People who buy an iPhone know that much of the real "cost" of that phone is paid in the phone contract. I don't know if it's illegal, but it's certainly immoral (IMHO) to take a highly-subsidised device and then "avoid" paying the real cost of it by using it on a different network.
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08-27-2007, 09:43 AM | #8 |
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Is the iPhone subsidized then? I didn't think it was in the first place, and wouldn't they have to sign a contract to get the subsidized price regardless?
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08-27-2007, 10:33 AM | #9 |
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I understand that you do have to sign a two-year contract with AT&T in order to buy an iPhone. I don't know if that can be cancelled or not. I'm sure the price must be subsidized - the iPhone costs what? $499 or something like that? Compare that to the price of contract-free "hi-tech" phones - they often cost $800+. They are generally significantly subsidized by the phone operator.
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08-27-2007, 10:43 AM | #10 |
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Yeah, phones usually are significantly subsidized, but I thought I'd seen something (possibly erroneous) about the iPhone not being subsidized -- it stuck in my memory precisely because it was unusual.
Generally those contracts can be canceled, but you have to pay a cancellation fee/penalty, and I think you have to repay any subsidies (there I could be totally wrong, as I haven't fully read one of those contracts in a really long time ) |
08-27-2007, 10:51 AM | #11 |
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I don't know either - I'm just speculating, as usual .
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08-27-2007, 03:06 PM | #12 |
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According to Ars (a well respected tech news website), it is not subsidized. link
I am personally against vendor lock in. To my knowledge (and in my limited experience), PDA phones especially are only subsidized when purchasing a contract. When I bought my current phone, I was in the middle of my contract. I ended up paying ~$700 for it. I believe that especially in this case, I should be able to take my phone to whatever network supports the technology it uses. If I like the device, but not the carrier, why should I have to give up my phone (or buy another one)? |
08-27-2007, 03:20 PM | #13 |
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It is not subsidized. However, Apple gets a cut of every activation and every monthly bill. So, Apple stands to lose money as well as AT&T if the phone is unlocked.
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08-28-2007, 02:38 AM | #14 | |
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08-28-2007, 10:44 AM | #15 |
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Except in the case of the iPhone, you're paying full price for it in the first place, and there isn't an "official" unlocked version available.
When I bought our Trēos last spring, I signed up for the 2 year contract and took the discount. If I wish to change providers when the contract is up (which I probably won't, I'm pretty happy with Cingular/AT&T), I'll just use one of the web services that unlocks phones for $30~40. My understanding is that law here in the U.S. (may vary by state) requires providers to unlock phones upon request once the contract expires, though they are allowed to put prerequisites on that (payments up to date, a fee, etc.). I figure it's easier and possibly cheaper to just go with the service. And I feel no qualms about that. I won't have done anything, and I'll have fulfilled the original agreement completely. They'll keep my business so long as they continue to treat me well, which is as it should be. I'm not sure why they bother with locking them any more, frankly: you're already bound by the contract, and if you decide to ditch them at the end, you get to take your number with you, and you can get a free phone for signing up with the next guy. As more and more folks figure out they can unlock the things, it'll get increasingly pointless. Maybe they'll give it up eventually. |
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