OPERATION CHOKEHOLD: An AT&T Protest.

[maphdet]

I've seen dumber shit happen. That said, I hope they do end up on other carriers. AT&T was the only reason I didn't get an iPhone. That said, I'm happy with my phone for now and I'll probably wait for the next or next next generation of smartphones before I get another.

That's why I didn't get the iPhone-ended up with the G1 from T-Mobile. I like it.
And will keep for another year or so.

HTC makes some kick ass phones though.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Yes, it's highway robbery--but it serves them right for getting iPhones.   

It's not just AT&T that sucks--it's Apple.

...says someone who doesn't have an iPhone.

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

I haven't heard any reports of the iPhone having problems in the UK like they do in America. I'm pretty sure it's AT&T.

HTC makes some kick ass phones though.

^ This.

[Requia ☣]

It's only rumored to end in 2010. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple makes a CDMA version of the iPhone and it ends up on Verizon. Verizon seems to think that there's a good chance this will happen.

The contract is up in 2010 and it doesn't make any financial sense for Apple to re-up with AT&T so I really doubt they will. AT&T is trying to negotiate another year of exclusivity, but Apple would be stupid to do it and Apple isn't stupid. If Apple coincides the launch of a new generation with the end of exclusivity, they will take possession of a huge swathe of the smartphone market in one fell swoop. I really can't imagine how AT&T could present anything that would compete with that.

Apple has always cared more about controlling its products than its finances.

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

Let us not forget that Verizon is Also Evil http://forums.verizon.com/t5/BlackBerry-Devices/BING-is-now-our-only-search-engine-This-sucks/td-p/133076 and of course Microsoft (goes without saying).

This is why I won't buy any device that I can't completely overwrite with a custom OS on a whim so my network can't touch it. It's been this way since I bought a Razr V3M and it'll be that way for as long as I live. If my network ever tried that shit on me they would 1) void their contract 2) make for awful PR because you bet your ass I'd contact all the MSM outlets as well as The Consumerist and all the tech blogs and 3) have their efforts prove completely useless as I'd immediately flash the device to circumvent their horseshit. I did this when Sprint tried to tell me I couldn't tether my new device from day 1.

Sprint: "Sorry sir, we no longer allow that."
Me: "Sorry mam, you no longer have control over that. The next time you attempt to tell me what I can or cannot do with my device I'll drop (read: SHOVE) you like you were Ann Coulter at the entry-point of an industrial meat grinder."
Sprint: "I'd like to see you-OH MY G-"*meatgrinder*
Me: "P.S. Sprint, you're waving my ETF because I say my reception with Sprint isn't so good anymore."
Sprint Manager: "Uh... ok, sure. Please don't kill me! Here, take $100!"
Me: "You have failed me for the last time." *force choke*
Sprint Manager: *gurgle*
Me: "Yeah, thought so. Sup Verizon. Heard you got an Android phone."
Verizon: "Uh... Uh... please don't kill me."
Me: "Don't make me and we won't have any problems."
Verizon: "Y-y-yes sir. W-w-we have the Motorola Droid and th-th-the HTC Eris... sir... for $90 a month, sir."
Me: "HOW MUCH!?"
Verizon: "S-s-s-seventy a month!"
Me: "That's what I thought. You've got yourself a deal. Do you mind if I tether?"
Verizon: "Well act-"
Me: "DO YOU MIND IF I TETHER?! IT'S VERY IMPORTANT! I WONT ABUSE IT UNLESS I HAVE TO!"
Verizon: "NO SIR! I'm sure you won't be held accountable for tethering without paying a ridiculous price for it."
Me: "That's what I thought. Hey, you guys have great reception here."
Verizon: "Th-th-thank you sir."
Me: "See me in the back room. Bring lube."
Verizon: "Y-y-y-es sir, please enjoy these free upgrades in addition to my asshole."
Me: "Thanks Verizon. I will."

You just have to know how to deal with telecOH LAWD I'M CUMMING! Wooo, done... companies.

P.S. Never ever buy a Blackberry. RIM sucks.

[Z³]

P.S. Never ever buy a Blackberry. RIM sucks.

I learned this one the hard way.
I mean, it makes a great MP3 player, but in all other respects it is ass.

[Freeky]

What's tethering? And all that other stuff?

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

It's only rumored to end in 2010. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple makes a CDMA version of the iPhone and it ends up on Verizon. Verizon seems to think that there's a good chance this will happen.

The contract is up in 2010 and it doesn't make any financial sense for Apple to re-up with AT&T so I really doubt they will. AT&T is trying to negotiate another year of exclusivity, but Apple would be stupid to do it and Apple isn't stupid. If Apple coincides the launch of a new generation with the end of exclusivity, they will take possession of a huge swathe of the smartphone market in one fell swoop. I really can't imagine how AT&T could present anything that would compete with that.

Apple has always cared more about controlling its products than its finances.

Annnnnd renewing with AT&T will help them do that how? Or was that just a clever non-sequitur?

[Template]

Nigel: Apple needs a complicit carrier to let them control their phone products.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Nigel: Apple needs a complicit carrier to let them control their phone products.

I don't imagine any contracts they would have with various carriers would help them do that, at all.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

as they are terribly silly and would not have thought of that.

[Requia ☣]

Keeping their customers locked in to AT&T (not because AT&T is special, but because thats who they chose) would be the goal.  Apple sells a Product, with very little options, you buy the whole package or none.

Which is not to say that they necessarily will, they do change the product occasionally, but they are considering it.

[the last yatto]

htc.com/us/products/droid-eris-verizon/