iPhone: Side Effects, 2007-07-02 - Your reactions

[linathael]

As we just published about it, Apple and AT&T sold more than half a million iPhone within 3 days, signing a huge success for both company. Of course, some iPhones immediately appeared on eBay, with an average price of US$750. When looking into details available for the first day, more than 200 000 iPhones were sold in the 168 Apple Stores while 72 000 units were purchased from the 1 800 AT&T shops. Of course AT&T secured an amazing number of new customers who will be with the carrier for at least 24 months (do the math: 24 month x at least US$50/ month x 500 000 customers = jackpot?). Of course AT&T might have to massively invest in hardware architecture to deliver the iPhone-linked service such as easy web browsing... requiring effective EDGE network capacity.

At the same time some web sites flourished on the web to start attracting readers with iPhone related stories or promotions. The website http://iphoneunlocking.com/ pretends to be able to unlock 75% of iPhones, giving customers a way to avoid using AT&T contracts. Other websites offer you the opportunity to win an iPhone, even in countries where the device will not be on sale before 6 months from now on as http://www.clearwaterworldwide.com/iphone.php (thanks Cheerful and Mathis).
Of course one could seriously question if such websites are not using the enthusiasm around the iPhone to generate large customers email database for some further actions not always related to iPhone, or email lists which could then be sold to third-parties needing information about potential iPhone customers (for iPhone accessories, iPhone competitors, etc).

[cheerful]

Link 1 - SIM hack will let iPhone work in NZ

[Boomer]

Noticed something similar.
Here in austria runs a spot froma company selling juices or yogurths or whatever and they have a new game where you can win an iphone.

Either the game runs very long or people will have to wait 6 months for their win.

[linathael]

Link 1 - SIM hack will let iPhone work in NZ

SIM hack will let iPhone being used every where Cheerful
the problem is behind: and then... what do you do with an unlock iPhone for which your carrier does not provide the iPhone-dedicated service which is the second part of the package?
this is the key point, what the use of an iPhone if one can use 40% of its functions?

[cheerful]

hehe. i was just quoting the subject of the news.
but it is good to know it'll work worldwide.

as for me, i'm pretty fine with using "my" Apple Phone just as a digital device (i.e. minus phone feature). i love the UI more than the design. i also like the fact that it is of sturdy build quality as compared to the Pods and etc.

[linathael]

hehe. i was just quoting the subject of the news.
but it is good to know it'll work worldwide.

as for me, i'm pretty fine with using "my" Apple Phone just as a digital device (i.e. minus phone feature). i love the UI more than the design. i also like the fact that it is of sturdy build quality as compared to the Pods and etc.

I did not say I would not like having one too
but I think I owuld not risk to buy one on eBay or ask a friend in USA to buy one, then attempt to hack the SIM simply for getting some functions only.

[cheerful]

haha
i'm not exactly thinking of hacking the sim card. i'm hoping that i can use it w/o a sim card for all features except the phone. won't do any hacking unless really really proven good and definitely would be good to have a reversible modification.

[cheerful]

good news (@least to me it is!! ) courtesy of tuaw

Link 1 - The 6th Gen contract-free WiFi-enabled iPod
Link 2 - iPhone: Prepay the right way

That's all I needed to know. Okie, now it is down to the chopping board. I know I've told myself (and many others), if this can be done, I'm sold. Hahaa. So what's my decision? I've got to check with my bank first.