Changes

Only 69 days after the release, though, on September 5, 2007, Apple slashed the prices of the device to $400 for the model formerly priced at $600, and discontinued selling the lower-capacity $500 model. This quick price cut - aside from being very uncommon in Apple's tradition of delayed price cuts - inflamed some so-called "early adopters," or those who had purchased the iPhone in the preceding two months, and now had no recourse against Apple's seemingly capricious price cut. Apple founder [[Steve Jobs]], conscious of his company's image, quickly offered a $100 credit to the [[iTunes]] Music Store to every early adopter who could not otherwise obtain price relief from a return or exchange.

Only 69 days after the release, though, on September 5, 2007, Apple slashed the prices of the device to $400 for the model formerly priced at $600, and discontinued selling the lower-capacity $500 model. This quick price cut - aside from being very uncommon in Apple's tradition of delayed price cuts - inflamed some so-called "early adopters," or those who had purchased the iPhone in the preceding two months, and now had no recourse against Apple's seemingly capricious price cut. Apple founder [[Steve Jobs]], conscious of his company's image, quickly offered a $100 credit to the [[iTunes]] Music Store to every early adopter who could not otherwise obtain price relief from a return or exchange.

Starting in 2008 with the release of the iPhone 3G, AT&T, and later Verizon Wireless, reduced the cost of the iPhone when a two year contract is signed.  In May 2011, AT&T released a version of the iPhone 4 that comes factory unlocked, although at a much steeper price<ref>[http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-14/tech/unlocked.iphone.available_1_iphone-32gb-model-gsm-network?_s=PM:TECH Unlocked iPhone 4 now available in the U.S.] CNN.com, June 14, 2011</ref>.  

Starting in 2008 with the release of the iPhone 3G, AT&T, and later Verizon Wireless, reduced the cost of the iPhone when a two-year contract is signed.  In May 2011, AT&T released a version of the iPhone 4 that comes factory unlocked, although at a much steeper price.<ref>[http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-14/tech/unlocked.iphone.available_1_iphone-32gb-model-gsm-network?_s=PM:TECH Unlocked iPhone 4 now available in the U.S.] CNN.com, June 14, 2011</ref>   

== Notable Oversights ==

== Notable Oversights ==

Also, many AT&T customers were befuddled that the iPhone's designers had not taken the chance to use AT&T's [[3G]] mobile data network, a considerably faster and more usable framework than the included EDGE compatibility. Apple stated that the EDGE network was used to prolong battery life, as the battery on the original iPhone would not last long on 3G. The newest version of the iPhone is now capable of utilizing the 3G network.   

Also, many AT&T customers were befuddled that the iPhone's designers had not taken the chance to use AT&T's [[3G]] mobile data network, a considerably faster and more usable framework than the included EDGE compatibility. Apple stated that the EDGE network was used to prolong battery life, as the battery on the original iPhone would not last long on 3G. The newest version of the iPhone is now capable of utilizing the 3G network.   

In 2010, AT&T dropped support for unlimited data plans and began offering limited data plans to new customers<ref>[http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/06/att-adds-iphone-tethering-kills-unlimited-data-for-ipad-smartphones/ AT&T Adds iPhone Tethering, Kills Unlimited Data for iPad, Smartphones] Wired Magazine, June 2, 2010</ref>. Users in large metropolitan areas, such as San Francisco, New York City, Chicago and Minneapolis have all reported extremely slow data speeds with AT&T, as AT&T has been unable to keep up with the demand of data usage by their customers.

In 2010, AT&T dropped support for unlimited data plans and began offering limited data plans to new customers.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/06/att-adds-iphone-tethering-kills-unlimited-data-for-ipad-smartphones/ AT&T Adds iPhone Tethering, Kills Unlimited Data for iPad, Smartphones] Wired Magazine, June 2, 2010</ref>  Users in large metropolitan areas, such as San Francisco, New York City, Chicago and Minneapolis have all reported extremely slow data speeds with AT&T, as AT&T has been unable to keep up with the demand of data usage by their customers.

At release, the iPhone sorely disappointed consumers because it lacked an [[Adobe]] Flash Player. Since November 2010 the Skyfire browser, which is available in iTunes app store for an additional charge, plays Flash videos (not Flash apps or games).<ref>www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/11/skyfire-iphone-app/</ref>

At release, the iPhone sorely disappointed consumers because it lacked an [[Adobe]] Flash Player. Since November 2010 the Skyfire browser, which is available in iTunes app store for an additional charge, plays Flash videos (not Flash apps or games).<ref>http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/11/skyfire-iphone-app/</ref>

While this is said to be an innovation on anti-theft software, identifying unauthorized users, some have called this spyware.<ref>[https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/08/steve-jobs-watching-you-apple-seeking-patent-0 EFF IPhone article]</ref>

While this is said to be an innovation on anti-theft software, identifying unauthorized users, some have called this spyware.<ref>[https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/08/steve-jobs-watching-you-apple-seeking-patent-0 EFF IPhone article]</ref>

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Cellular phone]]

* [[Cellular phone]]

* [[Smart phone]]:  

* [[Smart phone]]:  

** [[iPhone]]-[[iPad]]-[[iPod touch]] with [[iOS]]

** iPhone-[[iPad]]-[[iPod touch]] with [[iOS]]

** [[Android]]

** [[Android]]

** [[Silent Circle]] - [[Silent Phone]]

** [[Silent Circle]] - [[Silent Phone]]