http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Oh wait....]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/$299.99 if locked to ATT. Isn't it?]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 11:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
Dell, you are on my personal "buyer-beware" list...]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
Seriously what's wrong with US carriers? You clearly own the device so why are you forced to use their service? How is this legal? I mean if you buy an iPod you don't have to get you mp3s from iTunes!]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/You don't have to get them from iTunes but you sure as $#!t need it to get the mp3's to your iPod LOL.
The ass-backwards, proprietary nature of american carriers is remarkably irksome.
THIS is why I never buy a phone from a carrier. I like my freedom to leave when I want (no ETF) and I'm free to use whichever GSM carrier I choose.
]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/A Dell CSR just told me that the 549$ Streak was unlocked. I specifically asked: "If I choose not to activate it on AT&T is it still locked to that network? Or is it unlocked". She answered: "It will not be locked to a network".]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/

]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 12:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/lmfao, I can switch between t-mobile and at&t in addition to whatever other small carriers exist on a whim. Regardless, it'd be for the best if they stopped this carrier locked shit if the phone is bought off-contract. TBH I'd prefer the carriers be dumb pipes]]>Aug 12th 2010 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
That rep is misinformed it seems, which is common in a call centre environment. Still, I think Lionel's words are more solid than some random rep.

What's mind boggling though is that they're seriously selling this thing at full price and locked to AT&T... I just can't get over that. What makes it even worse is that it won't be available in AT&T stores!!!

So... *chuckles*... let me get this straight... they're following what Google did with the Nexus One BUT making it worse by locking it to a carrier at FULL price and...... expect better results???

I think that lines up with the definition of insanity.]]>Aug 12th 2010 12:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 12:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
Bahhhahahhh]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/2959/streakunlocked.png. I almost ordered it based on this information! ]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
"Except in America there is no where to leave to...."

You got it exactly right. With incompatible 3G frequencies and the inability to go Sprint Verizon, the only thing a carrier unlock is good for is for overseas use.

The US is the worst for carriers.]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Why Verizon and Sprint still use CDMA is beyond me.
The 3G issue will go away in a few years with LTE being used to boot]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 2:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/So it's ONLY available online through dell's website, and then again locked to AT&T. Talk about bad strategies!
I am so ready to hurl my iPhone 4 against the wall because of consistent dropped calls but I need something on AT&T with great web browsing and texting. Dell, you idiot! ]]>Aug 12th 2010 2:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 2:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Just bought an O2 Streak off ebay to use on Fido in Canada. Rebel doesn't work. They sell it, saying it does, but no luck...]]>Aug 12th 2010 2:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 3:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/That may be so, but I bet that a Dell executive will know the real deal over a $10/hr CS rep.]]>Aug 12th 2010 3:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 4:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/"The US is the worst for carriers."
You haven't been in Canada have you?]]>Aug 12th 2010 4:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 4:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/I think you got it backwards, the US is best for carriers, worst for informed consumers.]]>Aug 12th 2010 5:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 6:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 6:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
I know how ticked you are. Guess what? AT&T offered as a courtesy (corporate language: MORE MONEY FOR US!!!!!!) to give users of unlocked phones a required $15 (or so) plan for unlimited data. This is even though users bought an unlocked phone from AT&T. Stay away from them unless you want to suffer for two years. This is only if you want Android of course.]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 11:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 11:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
I am just gonna wait till an unlocking guide is available]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/You keep waiting on that one.
If you people just complained to the FCC or whoever is in charge of regulating cellular service in the US I'm sure this whole carrier locked BS would end.
Let's be realistic here, it doesn't work like this anywhere in the world bar japan and maybe china.]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
Then I predict a future for you that involves a lot more locks. ]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
Most creative.]]>Aug 12th 2010 1:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 11:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
But why doesn't Dell just send a bunch of these Streaks to electronics stores so they can sell them the way they came out of the factory?]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
What i mean is: just where does AT&T enter the equation and why does Dell feel a need to be affiliated with them in this way?]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 11:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 11:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 11:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
Dell needs to guarantee sales of this device. Choosing a carrier helps this especially since the subsidized price can help. Just throwing into electronic stores will take the risk of making it two much work to buy it then go to a carrier to use it.

Also, when Dell uses a carrier, the carrier will pre-purchase a certain amount of devices. This shows up as instant sales for Dell whether the phone ever really sells well at ATT.]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/confirmed-apple-and-atandt-signed-five-year-iphone-exclusivity-de/ ?]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/I'm from America, and I never understood it.

These companies don't reflect the general ideologies of the people. ]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
but what's the point of exclusivity? It just means the carrier has to be extra lucky to get a deal for the right phone. if there is no exclusivity all carriers can sell all phones which certainly makes their lives easier. and it gives consumers a choice.]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/You'd think that'd be for the best but it seems the general american populace is not educated to the fact that they're getting shafted by carriers here.
I live here and it is far and away the most irksome thing about owning a cell phone.
I can't fathom why they would think this sort of behavior is OK.]]>Aug 12th 2010 11:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/Aug 12th 2010 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/It hasn't really been explained very well yet, so let me give it a go. The thought of exclusivity is that customers will switch networks to get the phone. If you can only use AT&T and you want the phone bad enough, you'll switch networks. Phone networks know this so they invest a lot of money into the manufacturer, effectively "buying" exclusivity. This is an effective business model, but it only works with the highest profile phones (iPhone, EVO, Droid...). I doubt the Dell Streak has that appeal, but maybe more people than I think want a phone the size of my face?]]>Aug 12th 2010 12:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/12/off-contract-dell-streak-is-still-sim-locked-to-atandt-wrongs-sti/
This is why it's factory unlocked for me...or bust. Yet another way the Nexus One is [ or was :-( ] our savior. ]]>Aug 12th 2010 12:37PM