[kiffguy]

According to this Reuters flash, Vodafone won a bid to sell the iPhone in 10 new territories. For some reason, Hong Kong is not on the list. Surely Smartone would have wanted to offer this phone to its customers? For a start, I think they could have offered it for less than what they go for in Wan Chai ...

[jaykay]

Hmmm, not so sure. I think everybody who would buy an iPhone in HK already has one!

[campas12]

Originally Posted by jaykay

Hmmm, not so sure. I think everybody who would buy an iPhone in HK already has one!

due to timing i'd say it's more for the iphone '2'....3g/gps etc...coming out (rumored, but sounds about right) in june

[tofufever]

The other rumor is iPhones will finally be sold on Apple.com unlocked. This should make it accessible to everyone. Could also help adjust the frequency. However depending on the provider, not sure everyone will sign on with the video voice mail feature which is one of the best parts.

[Boris]

If that where true why would Apple go to the trouble of continuing to make contract / distribution arrangements AND restrict the purchase of IPhone to credit card only AND a max number ?

Then you would undo all that work and sell it unlocked direct ???

Seeing how much control* they are getting AND how much return from these previous lucrative contracts seems a bit " out there ".

AS for me I look forward to the imminent launch of the 3G product. Another reason I will not be buying one as I have even less use for 3G than 2.5 and 2G. But don't let that stop the rest of y'all.

* not withstanding the wupping they get in the EEC from competition and consumer protection legislation.

[tofufever]

Well apparently the recent thing is ATT in the states will sell a cheaper version of iphone for 199 if you sign up. So apple could sell unlocked versions themselves for 399. Not sure... all rumors at this point and this is for US market only. But in Europe it's apparently illegal to lock phones to providers. Not sure but I would just research more.

[kiffguy]

Originally Posted by tofufever

Not sure... all rumors at this point and this is for US market only. But in Europe it's apparently illegal to lock phones to providers. Not sure but I would just research more.

I suspect it is rumours. But I think if they were going to sell iPhone in markets where customers are used to getting a heavily subsidised handset with their contract, they might have to adjust their business model.

I also have a question about where the unlocked iPhones come from. I understand buying an iPhone from an Apple shop and then unlocking it to work on your local network, but the ones that are for sale in Wan Chai and Mong Kok - did they ... fall off the back of the truck? In which case, buying an iPhone from them is the same as buying stolen goods?

[FilipH]

Originally Posted by kiffguy

I also have a question about where the unlocked iPhones come from. I understand buying an iPhone from an Apple shop and then unlocking it to work on your local network, but the ones that are for sale in Wan Chai and Mong Kok - did they ... fall off the back of the truck? In which case, buying an iPhone from them is the same as buying stolen goods?

It might be stolen, it might be 100% legal. Just as any electronic you can buy. I don't think you should assume foul play. Apple doesn't like it, but selling unlocked Iphone's is legal.

Just don't buy phones from guys on the street. Don't support the thieves, support your local shops!

[tofufever]

Truth is i would just wait another month or two after WWDC and see if there will be an unlocked iphone available after the SDK release. ATT would subsidize it because currently more than half the iphones sold aren't used on ATT and their business is signing people up for data plans. It is in their interest to keep ppeople to sign up with their data plan and subsidize the phone then allow apple to sell for a higher priced unlock. That's they way I see it, WWDC is only a month away. If you can wait I would just hold out a bit.