I think that the article I linked to really clearly covers all of the issues presented in the email responses. The price subsidies, the locked/unlocked, the SIM buying, the phone w/o SIM buying, etc.
That's why I brought it to this group, because I respect the intelligence of the folks here, and I think they care about furthering the efficacy and usability of mobile computing and communication. I took it for granted that everyone on the list, including myself, knows the difference between T/CDMA (also available with SIMs, but nevermind) and GSM devices in terms of subscriber identity management. I _don't_ take for granted that anyone not working in or around the cell phone industry can even spell SIM, let alone understand the implications of whether or not their phone has a removable chip, or if that chip will work in another device, let alone with another carrier. When my mother/brother/friend in the US wants to buy a phone, they are very likely to go to one or two cell phone outlet stores, RTFMA, and see a plethora of plans with minutes and calling circles and free-after-x-o'clock. They will not be able to reasonably compare these to each other without performing sophisticated systems analysis on the fly. They will and do sign up for 2 year contracts _and/or_ locked devices. This by the way, makes my job (creating mobile content) more difficult, so I have both the philosphical and selfish professional incentives to try to both educate the general public and solve the core problem as I see it, which is a sea of proprietary devices that have lousy software and worse user interfaces. How'd I do? Still childish boring bullshit? -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Shawn Rutledge Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 12:51 PM To: community@lists.openmoko.org Subject: Locked phones (was Re: A timely rant: Time for SIM-free phones.) SIMs are great - I don't like SIM-free phones like Verizon ones that require somebody at Verizon to switch the service to a different phone. With GSM you just switch the SIM yourself. Of course it would also be nice to be able to use different devices without having to physically switch the SIM (like use the GPRS connection in a laptop or PDA). Anyway "SIM-free" is misleading as you are using it, because you are actually complaining about locked phones that will only work on one network. And BTW it's not so hard to buy new unlocked phones on the net if you are willing to pay unsubsidized prices for them. As for Jobs, I think he negotiated a lot of unique stuff that cannot typically be negotiated with a carrier. It's too bad the phone still costs $500-600 even with a contract. Makes me wonder what the real manufacturing cost is; is the hardware that super-duper or are they just wanting to have even better margins than they get on ipods? On 2/26/07, Sam Kome <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > We should paper the world with (something like) this rant ahead of the wide release of Neo1973. > > The fettered masses really don't get it yet. > > > > Covers 8 myths which drive folks to buy locked phones and/or 2yr contracts: > > http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/features/item/Its_time_to_buy_SIM-free_ph ones.php > > > > "How would Apple fans react if the latest Mac computer was exclusively locked to a particular ISP, was only available to people who live in that ISP's service area, and people had to sign up to a 2 year contract with that ISP? The Apple fans would be mad as hell, so why on earth are they having to put up with exactly the same restrictions on a portable, pocket-sized Mac computer called the iPhone?" > > > > "How is it that Finland, a poorer, lower-density country without phone contracts, and with a law banning locked phones, developed far better phone coverage than America, the land of locked phones and 2 year contracts?" > > > > > > > > Sam Kome > UX Team Member > > www.motricity.com > view corporate video > > > > NOTICE: This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information of Motricity. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. > _______________________________________________ > OpenMoko community mailing list > community@lists.openmoko.org > http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community > > > _______________________________________________ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community NOTICE: This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information of Motricity. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. _______________________________________________ OpenMoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community