From technology to politics to video games; these are the random thoughts of a geek with too much time on his hands
Who needs warranties?
Published on September 11, 2007 By Zoomba In WinCustomize News

One of the most severe criticisms leveled against the Apple iPhone was that it was locked down to AT&T, one of the least popular of all US cell phone service providers.  Poor customer service, spotty coverage, and the slowest data network of the major carriers are just a few of AT&T's major downsides, which left people scratching their heads over Apple making them the exclusive partner. 

As was reported widely last month, folks figured out how to unhook the iPhone from AT&T and connect it up to any carrier in the US.  The story got even more interesting when a group said they had a software solution they were prepared to sell so customers could free themselves from AT&T.  There's been plenty of video and photographic proof to show it's real and doable.  But until recently, no one had shown off the process from start-to-finish.

The guys over at Engadget have a HD video up showing the process from turning on the phone, all the way to getting it working with a T-Mobile account.  If you're an iPhone owner and want free of AT&T, or would have considered one if it weren't for AT&T, this may be of particular interest to you.


Comments (Page 1)
2 Pages1 2 
on Sep 11, 2007
One of the most severe criticisms leveled against the Apple iPhone was that it was locked down to AT&T, one of the least popular of all US cell phone service providers. Poor customer service, spotty coverage, and the slowest data network of the major carriers are just a few of AT&T's major downsides, which left people scratching their heads over Apple making them the exclusive partner.

It seems that according to you and a small amount of other people when the name changed to AT&T it suddenly went from top to bottem? They're coverage isnt spotty, atleast not where I am in the East Coast.
Everyone likes to be picky, sure why not. But I hate when others jump on the bandwagon after one person puts up accusations that arent entirely true.
on Sep 11, 2007

according to you and a small amount of other people

Gee...all I ever hear is that AT&T is a dog of a co....and I'm 10 thousand miles away....

on Sep 11, 2007
They're coverage isnt spotty, atleast not where I am in the East Coast.
Tell that to the people in Vermont

Apple iPhone won't be available in Vermont, other states

January 17, 2007

BURLINGTON, Vt. --Vermonters won't be able to take advantage of Apple's iPhone because it will be offered by a wireless carrier that doesn't maintain a network in the state.

The iPhone, which combines an iPod music player, cell phone and full-featured Internet browser, is due to go on sale in June, but only in areas served by AT&T's Cingular Wireless. Apple has an exclusive distribution deal with AT&T's Cingular Wireless.

The iPhone service won't be available in all or large portions of Alaska, Colorado, the Dakotas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, upstate New York, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming, among other places. . . .

 

on Sep 11, 2007
and I'm 10 thousand miles away....


And I always heard that technology was making the world smaller and the people closer.         
on Sep 11, 2007
Idaho


O.K. Now I'm mad, too.   
What was Apple thinking?!
A clear case of C.R.
[cerebral rectosis]
At least someone figured out the cure.   
on Sep 11, 2007
The iPhone service won't be available in all or large portions of Alaska, Colorado, the Dakotas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, upstate New York, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming, among other places. . . .


That pretty well defines spotty coverage!  
on Sep 11, 2007
They're coverage isnt spotty, atleast not where I am in the East Coast.


Of course, if you never leave your parents basement, you can't really test that.

Just kiddin.....but maybe not.

on Sep 11, 2007
Of course, if you never leave your parents basement


I believe the proper name is The Man Cave.
on Sep 11, 2007
Idaho


O.K. Now I'm mad, too

Like you were EVER going to buy one of these!      
on Sep 11, 2007
Tell that to the people in Vermont

Every phone service has issues in certain states or places, no one is perfect. And if there was a perfect company their would be no competition.
on Sep 11, 2007
Every phone service has issues in certain states or places, no one is perfect. And if there was a perfect company their would be no competition.
You argued that Zoomba was telling a falsehood or jumping on a bandwagon.  My point was just that his facts seem to be fairly factual.

I have agree that different services have problems or that all have "issues" but locking users to AT&T (now unlocked) was a poor choice and was bound to fail.  That, along with the price drop for late-adopters, and the HUGE out of network fees . . .well . . it's been a tough few months for the Apple PR machine.
on Sep 11, 2007
That, along with the price drop for late-adopters, and the HUGE out of network fees . . .well . . it's been a tough few months for the Apple PR machine


Of course, why else would they drop the cost of the iPhone AND give early-adopters $100 store credit? Sales where clearly going down and they figured a price drop would fix that.
You don't just lower the price $200 on something like that out of the blue.
on Sep 11, 2007
Well. I believe that Apple did what they did because at&t took over the bell south and cingular networks and that ended up having them a very large customer base. They didn't do it for anything other than money. Customer satisfaction went out in the 60's, it's all about money.
on Sep 11, 2007
The iPhone service won't be available in all or large portions of Alaska, Colorado, the Dakotas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, upstate New York, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming, among other places. . . .


This is true. I live in a small country in Europe called Norway. In all my years here, I've never had problems getting a signal! I recently visited my parents in upstate N.Y. and when I wanted to make a call, I had to drive for a half hour with my phone held out the window just to get a signal!
on Sep 11, 2007
i can totally see at&t filing a suit against its competitors when they refuse to willingly lock out hacked iphones.
2 Pages1 2