iPhone unlocking is now over. - iPhone 3G

wildonrio · 06-09-2008, 10:37 PM

http://techblog.dallasnews.com/archi...nd-data-p.html

Quote:

UPDATE: And you will be required to activate your phone at the store. From AT&T spokeswoman Sarah Andreani:

When customers purchase their new 3G iPhone, customers will activate the device in the retail store. This is the traditional wireless activation model that our customers are very familiar with. In-store activation should take just a few minutes and customers will be able to leave with their iPhone up and running. This will be especially helpful if any questions or issues arise during activation.

I'm actually shocked they didn't start doing this as soon as unlocking got out of hand. This is a very simple solution to such a hard fought problem. It's almost like Apple wanted all those unlocked iPhones just to let everyone worldwide see the iPhone first before Apple took the world by storm next month.

Youngbinks · 06-09-2008, 10:40 PM

This makes sense considering the obligations in contracts and such (as the one with AT&T). I suppose Apple finally had enough.

dturner · 06-09-2008, 10:40 PM

Very interesting. You left this out which I also thought was interesting.
UPDATE: And the only place you'll be able to buy the phone is in a physical AT&T or Apple store. The 3G iPhone will not be sold on either att.com or apple.com.

psylichon · 06-09-2008, 10:42 PM

So V1 value remains. Very interesting...

FlyersPhanatic9 · 06-09-2008, 10:44 PM

Wow, so this means that if you buy an iPhone, you cannot leave without activating it?
So you cant really buy someone for a non-family member as a gift, I guess you just have to buy a gift certificate?

paa79594 · 06-09-2008, 10:44 PM

this is big news

Youngbinks · 06-09-2008, 10:46 PM

Makes me wonder if Apple will start accepting cash again for iPhone purchases? It wouldn't make sense if they didn't.

wildonrio · 06-09-2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psylichon

So V1 value remains. Very interesting...

Good point! This means we can still sell V1 for some real value. Unless Apple sells the iPhone 3G unlocked in some country and then they will control eBay.

By the way, whoever was thinking they could just buy an iPhone 3G, sign with AT&T, cancel the contract, pay the $200 fine, and still sell on ebay for a profit, I suspect that when you cancel the contract they make you return the equipment.

i robot · 06-09-2008, 10:50 PM

I would imagine that unlocking would still be useful for travelling? I take it jailbreaking will still be alive.

aggieman · 06-09-2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildonrio

Good point! This means we can still sell V1 for some real value. Unless Apple sells the iPhone 3G unlocked in some country and then they will control eBay.

By the way, whoever was thinking they could just buy an iPhone 3G, sign with AT&T, cancel the contract, pay the $200 fine, and still sell on ebay for a profit, I suspect that when you cancel the contract they make you return the equipment.

no, that's not correct. That's the whole point of the $200 ETF-to recoup the portion of the phone price subsidized by the carrier.