This is a downside to the iPhone and it is compounded by the fact that hackers have found a way to unlock these phones so they can be used on other cell phone networks. Apple set itself up for this one, and until the exclusivity is removed, the hackers are going to be right there breaking into every code update that Apple releases.
The ability to change cell phone batteries is standard within the cell phone and iphone apps industry. Perhaps apple would have been better off with making money on battery replacements and this would have many users happy and Apple out of court. Short battery life is the number one complaint of heavy cell phone users. This is another downside to the iPhone.
Finally, the calling plans that AT&T offers for the iPhone leave a lot to be desired. Lacking calling plans that allow free usage between AT&T users, or calling circles, or other forms of unlimited use, AT&T has fallen behind all of the other cell phone carriers. Furthermore, limits on area coverage and interruptions in service reduce the cell phone users sense of freedom.
This is why most of us chose to have a cell phone – the ability to roam and call when and where we please and to choose all the best iphone games. The iPhone and AT&T really shaft the consumer on the exclusive contract between the two. AT&T has no incentive to give better rates to iPhone users because they legally cannot go anywhere else. Roaming charges and fees for the iPhone are astronomical.
Apple has been making computers and peripheral devices for many years now. You would have thought that they would have put a little more effort into researching the effects on users that memory, battery life, and availability of an affordable cell phone plan would have on potential users. I foresee a decline in the iPhones popularity due to these concerns.
Hackers will keep having a field day with unlocking iPhones until the agreement between AT&T and Apple expires, or it gets sent to the courts. It will be interesting to see how the battery issues turn out in court. There is a downside to the iPhone and Apple has done nothing to fix it.
