With the release of the new iPhone, in Europe the UK and Canada, the phone can now be bought outright and unlocked (not tied to any carrier). In the US, due to a deal AT&T and Apple have, the phones are locked and under no circumstances with they unlock it for you.
For me, I can deal with staying with AT&T in the US, but when I travel abroad as I do roughly twice a year, I feel that I should be able to use a device that I paid for as I see fit. I should be able to insert a local SIM card and pay local charges, rather than AT&Ts exorbitant roaming charges. This is what I've been able to do with other phones. I have had my earlier iPhone unlocked and been able to use it, but as these are through the means found by hackers, this kind of thing voids the warranty. I'd say that's fair enough, but the fact is, without it, our choice is to either pay the roaming charges or not use the phone at all at a time when we'd like to use it most.
Is it legal for them to sell us a device and then prohibit us from using it as we see fit? Is this the kind of thing that is grounds for a class action suit?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
For me, I can deal with staying with AT&T in the US, but when I travel abroad as I do roughly twice a year, I feel that I should be able to use a device that I paid for as I see fit. I should be able to insert a local SIM card and pay local charges, rather than AT&Ts exorbitant roaming charges. This is what I've been able to do with other phones. I have had my earlier iPhone unlocked and been able to use it, but as these are through the means found by hackers, this kind of thing voids the warranty. I'd say that's fair enough, but the fact is, without it, our choice is to either pay the roaming charges or not use the phone at all at a time when we'd like to use it most.
Is it legal for them to sell us a device and then prohibit us from using it as we see fit? Is this the kind of thing that is grounds for a class action suit?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?