Existing users, 
iPhone Commercials: “Use requires new 2 year activation”
Posted 4 June 2007 @ 10am in Uncategorized
UPDATE: The 2 year activation requirement message has been mysteriously removed from all iPhone commercials … hmm.
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Pundits flocked to scrutinize every aspect of the three newly issued iPhone television commercials, which revealed June 29th as the device’s official release data. InformationWeek asks “Does it really turn on that quickly?” (yes, based on Steve Jobs’ initial keynote presentation, it does wake from sleep that quickly) for instance.
One glaring statement was made on all three iPhone commercials that should pique interest for potential buyers:
“Use requires minimum new 2 year activation plan.”
Of course, it is already common knowledge that the iPhone would not be sold without a two-year contract through AT&T (by the way, the “Cingular icon in the upper-left corner of the iPhone’s screen has been replaced with an “AT&T logo). However, this new statement implies that the device will not be usable without said two-year contract. This may mean (speculatively) that the device will have some sort of restriction disallowing even use on WiFi networks if an active 2-year contract with AT&T is not present. It may also mean that devices initially purchased with a 2-year contract may be barred from usage if said contract is terminated prematurely.
Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.
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2 Comments
Posted by Rocko
4 June 2007 @ 5pm
I just don’t see what the fuss is about. Every phone I’ve ever had required a 2 year contract. I’ve often been able to change a plan I had before the 2 years were up, but I also started off again with a new 2 year contract.
Plans change very fast, often every 6 months or so, so I bet a current customer would simply be starting off again with a new contract.
Posted by mdh
6 June 2007 @ 10pm
The two year contract requirement appears to have been removed from the spots. Or at least it’s not included in the spots on Apple.com.