This morning, the internet is abuzz with the news that an internal Apple (AAPL) document proves the iPhone is available for purchase, without the requirement to enter into an immediate contract with the smartphone’s exclusive carrier, AT&T (ATT). According to a document obtained and posted by the tech news website, Gizmodo, customers will be able to purchase one iPhone per day, without showing identification (You know. For the universal iPhone owner database.) or signing a painful contract with AT&T. Since its initial release, customers were only able to purchase an iPhone if they entered into a contract with AT&T for cellular service. For many, this was tantamount to totalitarianism, since it was obviously aimed at preventing consumers from buying iPhones and jailbreaking them for use on other SIM-enabled carriers, like T-Mobile. If an iPhone just magically appeared in your hand, AT&T wouldn’t refuse to activate it and would certainly let you sign a contract with them in order to activate it, so it isn’t plausible that the purpose was really to prevent the black-market sale of the world’s number one smartphone. So why the sudden change in heart by Apple? Analyzing the question beyond the scope of “this week”, it could very well signal a bigger sign of changes to come. With the speculated release of the next-generation iPhone, unofficially dubbed iPhone 4G, by the tech-obsessed, one of the rumors has been that AT&T’s exclusivity with the device may be coming to an end. Unconfirmed reports have indicated that Apple will expand their potential reach, by allowing other SIM-enabled carriers to sell the device, as well. Such a move by Apple would be smart, in terms of business. Why? With the rapid rise in popularity of the Google Nexus phone, which is both cheaper and very similar in design and function, the iPhone maker needs to ensure their own growth continues, on pace with that of Google (GOOG). Of course, Apple has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against HTC, the maker of the Nexus Phone, but there is no guarantee that it will stop or even slow the market gain of the competing smartphone. By allowing other carriers to sell the iPhone, though, Apple would be taking another proactive step toward solidifying and, hopefully, expanding their stake in the smartphone kingdom. Of course, the price difference between an iPhone purchased with an AT&T contract and one purchased without, is substantial. If you want to pick up a contract-free iPhone, it will set you back $499 for the iPhone 3G 8GB, $599 for the iPhone 3GS 16GB, and $699 for the 32GB top model. Of course, if you were really going to activate it with AT&T you would probably just buy the iPhone with a contract, for a lot less. Of course, it will make it easy for those who have the cash and want to jailbreak….not that anyone would do that. To date, we’ve heard unconfirmed (but likely true) rumors of full device (front and back) touch-swipe functionality, a front-facing camera, increased flash memory, and an improved processor. If the iPhone 4G also includes some or all of these rumored features, it will be more attractive to some consumers. Add in the possibility of being able to switch and stay with your current carrier could make it even more tempting. You can see the original Gizmodo post here: http://gizmodo.com/5499439/buy-iphones-without-contract-now-official-apple-document-leaked
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