@mfr

I believe all of your above quoted problems can be solved very easily. Don't use IE7! :)

This was supposed to be waaaay up at the top. Go Engadget's new commenting system!! So much for this problem being fixed..

@(Unverified)

You don't have to hack the G1 to have Navigation now. Didn't you read the article?

15 inches? What guy wouldn't pay an enormous amount of money for that?

Your town too, huh?

I was under the impression that everything was abysmal in Portland, OR.

@CraigJ

Please tell me the difference between these circumstances and the ones of Microsoft and Windows Media Player. I'm always excited to learn something new.

Whether or not there is a law against monopolies, the relationship between AT&T and Apple CAN be called a monopoly according to the definition* of the word, since not even T-Mobile is allowed to carry the phone in question (despite having the correct technology to do so) and therefore you cannot use the phone (even though you can buy it anywhere) unless you agree to AT&T's terms and conditions, not to mention their prices. In other markets this type of behavior would not be allowed. Why is it "OK" in the cellular market?

* Definition of monopoly: "a market in which there are many buyers but only one seller; 'a monopoly on silver'; 'when you have a monopoly you can ask any price' ..."

@V Langs

"there is no room for universal phones in the US it would require major restructuring on many companies part"

I believe that the fundamental reason that the cell phone markets have not gotten much cheaper even as technology evolves is BECAUSE the companies refuse to do any "major restructuring" to cope with the future demands that new technology and new ways to use technology will put on their networks. Nothing is truly forcing them to do so. Competition is the only way features will improve and prices will drop at all and this will not really start to happen until all companies are properly competing with each other. A large company like Apple (or Google with the G1) should not be allowed to skew the market by only providing the rights to offer their technology to one service provider.

Funny, I've never heard it pronounced as "G-U-I". I must be from the dark ages.

I completely agree. I said this waay back on the 1st page. Posting again because I really believe this and it's relevant here too.

"The cellular world would be a much better place if all companies could carry all of the available cell phones and other devices.

Besides, I seem to remember something I read awhile ago.. something about a.. um.. I dunno.. Oh, that's right.. A law against monopolies?

Personally, I believe this sort of thing should be covered under this (if it isn`t already and the FTC is just too lazy to do anything about it). How many of us would like to go and buy a new computer and be told that it can only be used if it's connected with Time-Warner? Not knocking Time-Warner here, but what if you wanted to use Verizon? or lived in a location that wasn't serviced by Time-Warner? You'd be out of luck and probably pretty damn pissed off. Especially if Verizon had a better deal.

You can buy an iPhone from anywhere, as long as it's unlocked. But, of course, you can only use it if you pay AT&T for the privilege. This is complete crap and should be addressed immediately. And the iPhone obviously isn't the only culprit here either. The G1 can only be used if you're willing to sign on with T-Mobile. And we can say the same about almost every mobile device that has ever been created! After all (to use the example) if we had the ability to use our iPhones on more than just AT&T`s network, AT&T would be forced to upgrade and fix the problems. Otherwise, they`d pretty much be telling their customers to move to a competitor. All of the federal funds that are currently being used to pad CEO pockets should be more devoted to ensuring that we have choices when it comes to the companies we deal with. End of story.

There should be a class action lawsuit, but not against Apple or AT&T. It should be against the government agency that has allowed this whole thing to happen. If Microsoft can be sued for having a media player preinstalled in Windows (and we`re NOT EVEN BEING FORCED TO USE IT!) then this should NEVER be acceptable."

I completely agree with Patrick. The cellular world would be a much better place if all companies could carry all of the available cell phones and other devices.

Besides, I seem to remember something I read awhile ago.. something about a.. um.. I dunno.. Oh, that's right.. A law against monopolies?

Personally, I believe this sort of thing should be covered under this (if it isn`t already and the FTC is just too lazy to do anything about it). How many of us would like to go and buy a new computer and be told that it can only be used if it's connected with Time-Warner? Not knocking Time-Warner here, but what if you wanted to use Verizon? or lived in a location that wasn't serviced by Time-Warner? You'd be out of luck and probably pretty damn pissed off. Especially if Verizon had a better deal.

You can buy an iPhone from anywhere, as long as it's unlocked. But, of course, you can only use it if you pay AT&T for the privilege. This is complete crap and should be addressed immediately. And the iPhone obviously isn't the only culprit here either. The G1 can only be used if you're willing to sign on with T-Mobile. And we can say the same about almost every mobile device that has ever been created! After all (to use the example) if we had the ability to use our iPhones on more than just AT&T`s network, AT&T would be forced to upgrade and fix the problems. Otherwise, they`d pretty much be telling their customers to move to a competitor. All of the federal funds that are currently being used to pad CEO pockets should be more devoted to ensuring that we have choices when it comes to the companies we deal with. End of story.

There should be a class action lawsuit, but not against Apple or AT&T. It should be against the government agency that has allowed this whole thing to happen. If Microsoft can be sued for having a media player preinstalled in Windows (and we`re NOT EVEN BEING FORCED TO USE IT!) then this should NEVER be acceptable.