"BruceR" wrote:
> Todd Allcock wrote:
>> Tinman wrote:
>>> 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.
>
> There is certainly precedent for this type of sale. Look at TIVO and
> ReplayTV. Both have a monthly (or optional lifetime) activation fee
> which, if not paid, turns the unit into a hefty doorstop.

They are subsidized too (and subject to ETFs). IIRC earlier non-subsidized
series 1 Tivos did not turn into doorstops (no guide or anything, but the
device can/could still be used to record like a VCR, and of course pause
live TV).


> One might think that only the channel guide info would go away but
> actually the whole unit just goes to sleep till you pay up. However,
> unlike the iPhone, these units were sold at subsidized prices.

Yes, non-telephonic functions being locked out on a non-subsidized device is
what irked me. But now it appears that you can not only use an
inactivated/cancelled iPhone without at&t for this (not that I would) but
you can also apparently use it with at&t without a contract (GoPlan).
Without the at&t ball-and-chain (prepay though) I am much more interested in
the iPhone. If I do I'll check with the NY consumer advocate first <g>.


--
Mike