On Sat, 14 Jul 2007 23:52:54 -0400, "Bill Marriott" <wjm@wjm.org>
wrote:

>> 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. 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.
>
>What this has to do with the NY state political appointee who's a shill for
>Verizon going on the attack against Sprint I can't imagine... but
>
>1) Whether you want to call it "subsidized" or not, Apple gets a $100 bounty
>plus a cut of your monthly AT&T service fee. Without that, it would cost
>potentially hundreds of dollars more.
>
>http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/20...n-iphone_x.htm
>http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/new...-and-vodafone/
>
>2) Numerous reports state that you can activate the iPhone, then simply
>cancel AT&T service within 3 days and pay nothing (not even activation). The
>iPhone still works after that as a WiFi browser, email client, and music
>player.

And even if one chose not to activate the iPhone as a phone it is
still capable (as required by law) to reach 911. Something Verizon
FIOS can't due in a local power glitch.


>
>http://alexking.org/blog/2007/07/02/...ithout-service
>
>3) You can indeed get an iPhone without a contract. If you don't meet credit
>standard, you can use your iPhone with an AT&T prepaid plan.
>
>http://www.tuaw.com/2007/07/02/iphon...the-right-way/
>