ZnU wrote:
> I suspect this was a hard choice for Apple, but given today's cell phone
> market they didn't see much alternative. iPhone users would likely be
> paying twice as much for their unlimited data if Apple hadn't cut a deal
> with AT&T.

The above works very well for "phone" which are seen as essentially
disposable devices you wish to replace every couple of years, so you are
unwilling to spend big bucks on it.

If you view the iPhone as primarily a computer/PDA with a phone attached
to it, then people are probably willing to pay more for it because they
are buying a long lasting tool that could work with any GSM network (if
it were unlocked with its full potential enabled).




>
> Apple probably *does* plan to move to an unlocked device eventually,

Such a device might be marketed as an iPod and thus bypass any legal
restrictions due to Apple's exclusive contracts with various networks in
the world. And if such Ipod was based on a non "phone" network (aka:
WiMax instead of GSM) then Apple could claim it isn't competing against
the iphone.

On the other hand, perhaps the exclusive contracts apply only to the
2.5G networks (GSM/GPRS/EDGE), and when Apple unveils a 3G version, it
will not be tied to any exclusive contracts (and by then, Apple will
have built brand credibility in the phone market and people will want to
pay the real price for a unit that is unhindered by any network
restrictions.