From Ars:
It appears as if a full software-enabled unlock has finally been done by a group that now operates iphonesimfree.com, meaning that prospective iPhone buyers will be able to use the device with any GSM carrier worldwide. In the US, that means they'll be able to use it both on AT&T and T-Mobile.The group that unlocked the phone plans to sell their "product" on their website. No word on what that will cost.
...
AT&T shouldn't worry too much: the process on the user end still requires a roundabout AT&T "activation" using third-party tools that a layman (read: most customers) would probably not be interested in taking. An AT&T spokesperson did respond to our request for comment by telling us that they wouldn't have one.
Just keep in mind, this doesn't mean your iPhone will work with Verizon. In the US, the only other major carrier the phone will work with is T-Mobile. It does mean, however, that if AT&T irritates you, you can switch and take your phone with you. It will also help you to switch carriers while your abroad.
iPhone set free from AT&T with first full software unlock [Ars Technica]
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Thank you. I was just about to add that. (while YOU'RE abroad!)
]]>These guys have a way of doing it without opening up the phone. Of course, you lose the visual voicemail, which is the only real innovative feature of the iphone, but hey it still looks just as shiny.
/get a nokia and you won't need this
]]>It amazes me that companies (who need our monies) subscribe to the psychology that overtly includes policies, procedure and idealogy without a doubt irritate, dis-enfranchise, discourage, ultimatley dis-appoint, disrespect and utterly turn off thier consumer base. I mean seriously as a rule its almost as if they brainstorm on ways to beguile,inconvenience and disrespect the intelligence of their customers. Notice they usally sell one hardcore service (cellular, for instance) but the little extras are where they make their customer hate them. Which in-turn makes their customer experience an unpleasurable one. What does an unpleasurable experience do to the customer's psychology, it makes them hate paying them money. Then when an appealing alternative surfaces, they leave. It's like turning away your last meal, because it comes on an ugly plate... (I mean really) AT&T, Verizon & Sprint operate in an unappealing TONE.. I can't believe with them being cornerstones of communication, THEY DON'T GET THAT.
]]>I get the sense that Apple's going to be perfectly okay with this. AT&T, less so.
]]>I thought it was NJ teenager that unlocked it along with his online partners; it's all over the news here.
]]>And apparently it's NOT a huge pain in the butt: "The unlock process took only a couple of minutes. From our end it was totally painless."
If you have an iPhone, and you travel to Europe, this is a great thing.
]]>Wait - what?
]]>"A is better than B in all respects" is rarely true in the real world.
]]>A blackberry is superior to the iPhone in every way, espcially price and phone plans.
]]>
not me.