[Sigia-l] Another brand of sugar: Apple multi-touch

[Will Parker]

On Jan 9, 2007, at 9:34 PM, Skot Nelson wrote:
>
> On Jan-9-2007, at 20:06 , Will Parker wrote:
>
>> If the hardware is carrier-neutral and Oz
>> cell phones use a frequency a non-Australian iPhone understands, you
>> might be able to jump ahead of the curve  ;-}
>
> Indications are that the iPhone will be offered by Cingular -- have  
> they ever offered unlocked phones?

Good question. I would hope *Apple* would offer an unlocked phone.

> Unlocked (carrier neutral) phones are a pretty small chunk of the  
> American market. I can't remember percentages but it's virtually  
> insignificant here. I'd put money on the fact that Cingular is  
> selling a locked version.

Ah! But just last November, the US Copyright Office and the Librarian  
of Congress (both involved because of some eddy in the DMCA muck)  
ruled that US cell phone owners have the right to unlock their  
phones. Further, the FCC then published rules requiring carriers to  
allow and offer authorized methods of unlocking phones and  
furthermore, to accept subscribers with unlocked phones. The carriers  
will certainly drag their feet and find ways to lock in subscribers,  
but then, Apple isn't a cell carrier.

> Of course it will be only a matter of weeks before somebody figures  
> out how to unlock them, with the usual relatively meaningless  
> consequences (void warranty, threat of legal action etc.)

See above. Legal in the US, but don't expect the cell carriers to  
help you -- much. For folks in other countries -- well, at least you  
don't have President Bonzo II to deal with.

- Will
Will Parker
wparker at ChannelingDesign.com

"The only people who value your specialist knowledge are the ones who  
already have it." - William Tozier