Online retailer promises unlocked iPhones

[beachtrader]

http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-973...g=2547-1_3-0-5

One of the most popular questions regarding the Apple iPhone asks whether Apple will sell unlocked models. So far, the consensus has been that such a move is unlikely, but much to our amazement, we noticed today that PureMobile.com, a online cell phone retailer, is touting unlocked iPhones on its Web site. It appears to be the 8GB version of the phone in black (is there any other color?).

[oalvarez]

^ ah, most excellent if that holds true....so, which carrier's sims would work with the iPhone?

[braj]

How will the visual voice mail work without being on AT&T's servers?

[Malatesta]

Originally Posted by braj

How will the visual voice mail work without being on AT&T's servers?

Simple, it won't.

This is just people making promises they won't be able to keep. There will be no unlocked iPhones and Apple won't let someone else sell them for long (and neither will AT&T who spent how many millions to get the exclusive?). I'm willing to bet it has an authentication system through Apple's servers...

[treoneo]

that sucks. I wonder if sprint will ever get them?? maybe 2nd gen?

[marcol]

Originally Posted by Malatesta

This is just people making promises they won't be able to keep. There will be no unlocked iPhones and Apple won't let someone else sell them for long (and neither will AT&T who spent how many millions to get the exclusive?). I'm willing to bet it has an authentication system through Apple's servers...

According to the Boston Globe today iPhone customers will be able to cancel their contracts with AT&T for $175:

http://www.boston.com/business/perso...will_cost_175/

I'm not familiar with how this is done in the US, but might one expect that the phone would be unlocked as a part of this process?

[surur]

So basically the phone is $775 contract free? Thats not too bad at all.

Surur

[oalvarez]

how much is a mogul?

[Scott R]

My theory is that these phones will be "locked" to AT&T if you want to use the phone functionality, but that you may not be required to activate it all. I have a feeling that you'll be able to walk out of an Apple store with one without it being activated at all. And I also predict that most of the non-phone related functionality will be active in this non-activated state. If I'm right, it will be interesting to see how many people choose to buy/use one in this manner.

[MarkEagle]

Originally Posted by Scott R

If I'm right, it will be interesting to see how many people choose to buy/use one in this manner.

That's an awful lot of money for a widescreen video iPod.