At 14 Jul 2007 13:44:20 -0700 Tinman wrote:

> Really? The ads I watched sure as heck highlighted the iPod ("best iPod
> ever") and Wi-Fi features (the speeds in the ads are not possible with
> Edge).

The ads also state "Two-year contract required." They don't specifically
state WHY or what the phone can't do without one, but the requirement is
stated.

> A reasonable person might expect that if the device is not under
contract
> that no non-911 phone functions would work. But to not be able to use
it for
> music or WiFi Web browsing--especially when paying $500-$600 for the
> device--doesn't seem fair in my book.

Nor mine. However, it isn't our decision- the phone is what it is, and
frankly it doesn't matter what "reasonable" people expect. The terms and
conditions are spelled out at purchase and/or activation and if you don't
like it, don't buy it (or return it.)

As consumers we don't have the right to demand a product work the way WE
want it to work- just to vote with our wallets. If Apple/AT&T wants to
disable their phone if not activated, that's their business. Just
because it has Wi-Fi doesn't mean it HAS to work as a web-tablet without
a cellular subscription.

> If I bought a combo receiver that did both OTA and sat I sure the heck
> wouldn't expect the OTA functions to cease in the absence of a sat
> subscription.

But if it did, and you were warned ahead of time that that was the case,
you'd have no recourse.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com