Apr

24

The State of iPhone Unlocking

Posted by iphonefan

April 24, 2008 |

Here is a quote for you:

“They seemed absolutely blithe about making the 10 million number, and I get the funny sense that ultimately the whole idea of locked iPhones and the revenue almost doesn’t interest them.”

This is a quote from Ezra Gottheil, an analyst for Technology Business Research Inc. He was speaking about the second quarter earnings conference call with Apple Executives that took place yesterday. If he is right, then what does that mean for the ongoing war between Apple and the iPhone unlockers and hackers?

Early estimates regarding just how many iPhones go unlocked were reported, by Apple, as approximately one in six.  During the conference call however, their number changed simply to “significant.”  The Apple execs simply would not be pinned into a number - they don’t seem to care.

You see, at this point, Apple seems more interested with market penetration rather than the carrier specific kick-backs that they receive.  They are hell-bent on selling their 10 million iPhones.  They don’t care who registers them, hacks them, or uses them on a non-authorized carrier.

Does this spell doom for the type of relationship that Apple has had with companies like AT&T?  After all, AT&T is reporting a double digit growth in earnings, thanks largely to the iPhone.  Will AT&T be able to muscle Apple around, or is Apple calling all the shots.  If Apple is in the driver’s seat, then the next generation iPhone may be a non-exclusive.


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