[IxDA Discuss] iPhone Ads

[Will Parker]

On Jun 4, 2007, at 8:25 AM, Nathan Kendrick wrote:

> It is "locked" to Cingular's network... something that only
> American's have the duty of grimacing about.
>
> One additional innovation Apple could bring to the table is unlocked
> phones. Its such a ridiculous anti-consumer strategy.

Apple agreeing to an exclusive 5-year contract with AT&T/Cingular was  
almost certainly one of AT&T's requirements to seal the deal. There  
are myriad reasons Apple might spurn any particular telecom provider  
(atrocious service, pigheadedness, etc), but I don't see any  
_particular_ reason Apple would drive for exclusivity if it could  
have gotten two or three carriers on board at launch.

On the other hand, it is _great_ fun watching the other telecoms  
thrashing their way along the riverbank as Cap'n Steve steams by in  
his stylish riverboat.

And maybe that's the real strategic driver behind the exclusivity  
clause - to get the telecom industry to start thinking it might be  
time to start investing in those new-fangled steam engines.

- Will

Will Parker
wparker at ChannelingDesign.com

“I wish developing great products was as easy as writing a check. If  
that were the case, then Microsoft would have great products.” -  
Steve Jobs