iPhone unlocking debacle

Although there is little doubt that the iPhone represents a breakthrough in device evolution, interface design and application integration, there is also little doubt that Apple has created a big problem for itself in the closed nature of the device, its release through single carriers and the stance they have taken over the whole unlocking issue, not to mention the bad press they are getting as a result!  The saying that “there is no such thing as bad publicicty” may well be proved wrong in this case.   I can’t help feeling that they have killed a large number of sales for the coming holiday period.

With such a high end device it was inevitable that people would want to add applications to it in the same way they did with other smart phones.  Also, with a percentage of  business users wanting to have such a great combined device but also wanting to use other carriers when travelling, again, as they did with their previous phones, it was always going to be unlocked.

I wonder how many sales  Apple will lose as a result of bricking these devices?  I for one will not be buying one any time soon.  I want to be able to have an unlocked device that I can load applications onto if I wish without running the risk of having my expensive device rendered useless when I apply an update.

Apple need to think carefully about the users requirements and the dynamics of a new market before they enter.

I think they have a lot riding on how this issue is handled from now on – the world is watching them!