Comments on: Free your mobile — help it break jail

By: Gareth Powell

Gareth Powell — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:08:11 +0000

Plainly a contentious issue. Nailing my colors to the flag I am totally, utterly and completely opposed to companies using technical blocks to force customers in one direction.
It has been going on since the earliest computer with Microsoft and IBM being the biggest sinners. I travel the world and I work in different countries where different rules apply. Unlocked is ALWAYS better. Always. If you think that makes me an idiot, tough. Worse things have been said to me. But it does not change my position in the slightest. And, incidentally, Apple would have made serious, serious, money from the iPhone whether it had been locked or not.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:47:57 +0000

Funny how unlocking phones has led to the complete deterioration of the mobile phone industry in the UK, and the loss of all subsidized mobile phones. Oh, wait, that hasn’t happened. Infact they are legally required to allow you to transfer your existing number to a carrier of your choosing here in the UK. And yet the UK has probably the healthiest mobile phone industry in the world outside of Japan.

By: davidB

davidB — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:17:32 +0000

Why would carriers offer subsidized pricing on a phone if you institute this disincentive? By all means, do go sign up for this ridiculous plan that will make you pay $600 or more for that unlocked device. Morons.
I have to laugh when I watch idiots support something like this (for example) when they can’t “unlock” their Verizon phone and use it on T-Mobile.

By: James Keane

James Keane — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:52:01 +0000

By not allowing companies to protect their IP, you’re providing a disincentive to them to develop new products. Why would Apple develop cool prouducts like the iPhone if it can’t make money out of it?