iPhone: Exclusive to AT&T for 5 Years

from JoeUser Forums

Well for those hoping the iPhone will be available with other carriers sooner or later, it looks like later it will be. USA Today is reporting AT&T has an exclusive 5 year contract with Apple, and that Apple is restricted from creating a CDMA version during that time.

The CEO of wireless at AT&T had this to say….

"I’m glad we have (the iPhone) in our bag," he says. "Others will try to match it, but for a period of time, they’re going to be playing catch-up."

This is disappointing news for me as I was expecting the iPhone to be widely available in about 2 years. I look forward to the iPhone release, but I’m still going to wait to see the final product before even thinking about switching carriers.

apple
4,641 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
well that figures. an apple product that's actually worth the price tag, and it'll be a pain to get. meh.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You would think they'd learn from past mistakes. Their "exclusivity" is why they're not the dominant computer on the market now.

Mobile communications development is much like computer development during the 90's. The moment you walk out the door with a new product it's already obsolete. Given that, I'd bet that a cheaper, competing equivalent will be available from every other carrier long before their deal with AT&T ends.
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Besides . . . I freaking hate iTunes. Reason enough to keep me away from the Apple mp3 players.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Lantec has a very, very good point. You can buy the iPod EVERYWHERE and it is the market leader at a Microsoft OS level for MP3 players.

So Apple has just sabotaged themselves from the possibility of becoming a major cell phone player to yet another niche. Sigh.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It does leave to wonder if they are going to break into the smart phone catagory. As of now, by reviews, it is said not to be enough for a smart phone user. I wonder at if it is only the IPhone that is caught up in the web of At&t and all newer models inside these next 5 years could be up for grabs....
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That's a good point, but I think Apple is locked into this one.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
You gotta wonder what Apple was thinking whem they agreed to this. Do they really feel that a single phone company for 5 years is the best way to go, considering that there are so many options these days. I seriously doubt people will just give up on Verizon, T-mobile, Sprint, Nextel or Metro PCS just to get an iPhone. I mean as kool as it is, it's just another phone with extra features, and one hell of a price tag on it. Even if I could get a cell phone (my credit ain't too good and I do not wish to pay for those crazy deposit amounts) I probably could not even afford the damn thing.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Since AT&T (Cingulair) basically gave the finger to all subscribers in our area and refuses to do business here anymore, I guess I won't be an iPhone consumer.

Meh, I wasn't gonna buy one anyway. I detest Apple.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There is this somewhat same discussion over at neowin. I will give my same answer here. Until they have a version that has 3G and wifi then the phone has no use for me.

Beside with the rebate on the blackjack now and the soon to be release upgrade to WM6, the blackjack blows the iphone out of the water.

I have no idea why apple and att make this next gen phone and don't include 3g support on it. Considering that this fall att is expanding the 3g across the country.

Makes you wonder how much they really want the phone to succeed and and who they really plan to market this phone to.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
I just bought a Motorola Q a few weeks back, and although the iPhone has some interesting features, I see no big reason to upgrade.


Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
although the iPhone has some interesting features, I see no big reason to upgrade.


Given it is tied to just one company for five years, and won't be available in some areas, seems it would be more of a downgrade....and if it's tied to just AT&T, how's that gonna benefit non-US customers?

Could the iPhone be akin to the Mac, another of Mr Jobs' 5% - 10% of market share fads, another steeped in such exclusivity it'll need some propping up by one or more of his more profitable ventures, like the confounded iPod....a product so 'common' these days, we can buy 'em in outback service stations here in Oz.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hehe...my phone is an oldie, but a goodie: (LG AX490a) it makes car noises! vrroomm Vrroomm! screw mp3 phones, my zune is far too precious...

besides, is it really that big of a hassle to carry an MP3 Player for tunes? wouldn't it suck to have your battery die in your cell phone because you were watching a movie???
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
never did see the big deal with that phone :smh: