Phone SIM Locks: Why Do Carriers Even Bother?

We've been down this road before: a new iOS version is released that undoes all of the nasty stuff hackers did to the previous version. A week later those same hackers blow out a jailbreak and then a few days later they release a full unlock (the latest iOS unlock is only for 3G and 3GS right now, so iPhone 4 users are stuck for now.) Given that this is pretty much standard procedure, why don't carriers just give up? Sadly, most other phones don't get this sort of white glove treatment. A grey market exists that traffics in phone unlocks for many devices including Blackberries and Nokias. Why? Because someone, somewhere wants to move their phone from country A to country B. The vast majority of phone users will never want to this but there is still plenty of demand. So why not ship without the lock? Well, there are a few possible answers, barring the obvious "Carriers suck."

Phone SIM Locks: Why Do Carriers Even Bother?

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Comment on An Apple Integrated SIM: What It Could Mean by Glenn

What would be interesting is that you could have one SIM and mobile number that would work on one or more devices, IE and iPhone and iPad without you having to keep switching SIMs or having two separate SIMs - that makes absolutely perfect sense and would be a huge benefit to the user. Buying thing with your mobile device offers good flexibility and a digital wallet in a mobile device is a nice idea, currently already big in Japan.

Post originale: http://gigaom.com/2010/10/29/an-apple-integrated-sim-what-it-could-mean/#comment-493469

An Apple Integrated SIM: What It Could Mean

Earlier this week, I reported on rumors that Apple and Gemalto were developing a SIM that Apple could integrate into its iPhone motherboard. In the emails, comments and phone calls that have poured in since then, I’ve received confirmation of the rumors, (although still no word from Apple or Gemalto) and gotten a lot more context about what this move might mean.