Tinman wrote:
> "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>.

I'd be interested to see if it's SIM locked or whether a TMo SIM would
work.