iPhone Unlocking – What does it mean?
You may have heard some news about the iPhone recently, and how recent upgrades to the operating system has caused some phones to malfunction. What’s happening is that some users “unlocked” their phones, allowing them in theory to be used with any mobile phone network (though some features unique to AT&T, such as the visual voicemail, wouldn’t work). This phone unlocking isn’t new, and it’s pretty much a standard deal in Europe.
Recent software updates to the iPhone causes these unlocked phones to stop functioning almost entirely – with some work, basic features such as WIFI web browsing and the iPod functionality can be restored, but the device cannot be used as a phone again.
AT&T has hinted that once an iPhone user has completed their two year contract, they will be able to unlock their phone and use it with whatever carrier they wish.
There are some twisted and complex rules and regulations here, and I’ve really just scratched the surface – and if I’ve glossed over some of the complexities, you’ll understand why. What do you think of all this strict control over the use of the iPhone, and mobile phones in general? Should things be more open, as they appear to be in Europe? Or are phone manufacturers and carriers within their rights to make money in this way?
