"Free the iPhone:" Congress Hearing

[ChristianHolmes0]

That's great, but guys, did you know that you can actually get an iPhone for FREEab simply by testing it for the company ? My son got one yesterday and I couldn't believed.

You can find more information simply by writing in google: iphone giveaways online info

Just a heads up for those here that are looking for an iPhone.

[johnchen0213]

so what's their point? GSM , CDMA has different hardware,,, so even if iphone is free u still can't use it with Vorizon Wireless except T mobile and it is apple's choice to put it that way. you can't change it

[RenegadeMadeVideoman]

You can uncode the service codes and load in a differen't service's codes.

[shorerydr10]

All this is about is some effective lobbying from verizon and other competing phone carriers who didn't get the iphone back in 2007-2008

[Gamble2185]

jailbreak,unlock. problem solved.

[Skip2731]

I know peole are idiots, i have an ipod touch thats jailbroken that i use as a phone.

[shorerydr10]

what the hell that doesn't work. You cant transform an ipod touch into a iphone just by jailbreaking it. You have to change the hardware first...

[Skip2731]

@shorerydr10 The first gen no, but i have a 3rd gen, and it comes with a mic/headphones, so if you jailbreak it, you can use is as a phone. or buy an iphone from wal-mart, and jailbreak it. x^D

but in my opinion as a phone the iphone battery is trash. i use my blackberry more than my iphone.

[DWproductions07]

this is dumb, nobody starts this shit over the G1, Palm Pre or other phones. But when this one phone only works for this carrier it's some huge deal. Nobody else has the blackberry storm but nobody bitches.

THERE IS AN EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT WITH AT&T. IF PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH AT&T TOO GOD DAMN BAD BUY A DIFFERENT PHONE.

People are really fucking pathetic. This debate would never happen if the iPhone weren't created.

[VolksAlpha]

@DWproductions07 You're missing the point here, its thoughts like that which allow your freedom to be wiped out from your feet.

[DWproductions07]

Then I want to go to congress and start a debate because my 2000 z28 won't run on e85 ethanol. They are telling me i have to buy a whole new car to be able to run it, my freedom is being taken...

[Skip2731]

@VolksAlpha ??WHAT?? i dont think thats freedom being wiped from our feet! x^D but if you ask me the freedom being wiped from our feet is the illegalization of cannabis! but i kind of see what youre saying.

[HotShotRuksy]

How do u get referals for gift.freebiesjeebies quicker

[lauradlane]

Another technological barrier - the sim card Verizon and Sprint don't even use sim cards only at&t and t-mobile...as far as I'm aware anyway...

[FuzzyWaffler]

Nik4pac if you don't know what your talking about then don't open your mouth. you can transfer it over to any mobile provider that you would like to make the transfer to with out any problems. The only way currently that I know of the transfer to be capable is by SIM card MOD/swapping. Yes if a carrier doesn't have video texting why would they magically be able to do it for this one phone. Cant create something out of nothing. Google phone is better anyway. LLL

[nik4pac]

actually there is technological barrier. i went to the apple store and asked them why no other carrier can have an iphone they said that the phone would actually slow Verizon down because of the iphone's internet capabilities.

[LandonEpps]

that is true, and rumor has it that Verizon is upgrading their network so they can support devices such as the iPhone.

[gdogg123uran]

verizon started the whole thing because they were jealous.

[Achack]

Now if all these people in high places played video games and wanted Xboxs because of the superior power, but GTA was by far the best game you could get your hands on (this wasn't the case I know), then we'd probably be hearing the same shit. I mean, I want this to happen, but I can't blame AT&T for recognizing that if Apple is entering a market, they are going raise the bar in that market past the clouds when it comes to innovation and design. That's capitalism for you.

[Achack]

The real discusion here is actualy about ppe making mony. AT&T has the contract becase verizon turnd it down. Now, I have verizon and Im convncd that they do in fact have the best covrage of any company becas they have contracts with other telecommunication agences to use their radio towers. It was simply a smart choic by AT&T to get the exclusiv rights becas it forces people to pay for their service. Playstation used to have the rights to GTA which lead ppl to purchase PS2s rather than Xboxs.

[lauradlane]

Or you could just buy an iphone from another country... their not locked to at&t or any carrier for that reason lol

[TruthSeeker1988]

Why the hell is this being a government political issue? This is a product of the free market. What they are doing is very unconstututional.

[redfox1160]

I think this is dumb. You can only buy phones on certain providers; if you want the phone this badly, just switch. No one needs an iPhone, just buy a different phone.

[PlayerXT]

There is a difference between free market and a corporate controlled market, you can either have a market where the best product wins or one where monopolies make sure you can chose any service as long as it's theirs.

"You Can Choose Any Color You Want, as Long as Its Black" - Henry Ford

[zbore2]

lol the iphone isn't something necessary to life therefore the goverment has no say in it.

[Swansen03]

..... wow, this is pretty dumb, heres and idea, DON'T BUY AN iPHONE, wait, even better, STOP BUYING APPLE PRODUCTS, they do this same thing with everything they make... seriously people.

[AliceKK]

no, no they dont...

[Swansen03]

? um yes they do. Not even trying to be rude, but Apple has absolute control over its products and there is no such thing as leniency. They have a contract with AT&T because AT&T paid then a crap ton of money to be exclusive to them. If you don't like what a manufacturer is doing with a product, you boycott their product, not complaining. Apple are the "gatekeepers" always have been, why would anyone think this would be any different.

[reformCopyright]

On the one hand you're right. Whenever you find yourself thinking: "Wow! I've *got* to get that product!", think again. You're likely to spend more than it's worth.

On the other hand, exclusive contracts are basically antithetical to free competition, and should therefore be restricted.

[sclek2007]

That's why you unlock or 'hack' the iPhone (not that hard) or any other phone and move it to a different provider.

[Karlfalcon]

Came here to say this.

Just grow some balls and hack your iphone.

Or, better yet DONT BUY ONE. There is nothing forcing anyone to buy an iphone. Why is the government getting involved in this?

[nalyd11]

That is so stupid i hate the other companies like verison because all they would do is fuck with the UI of the phone like they always do. And the bill for my iphone was about the same with my old blackberry.

[thesinisterasshole]

Jason Devitt is whinning little bitch shut up cry baby verizon wireless general counsel is making himself look like a idiot AT&T came up innovations for the iphone and the apple built it for them and AT&T and apple can do whatever the fuck they want with it washington d.c. lawmakers need to address other issues instead of this non sense dumbshit long with the lawmaker timothy wu shut the fuck idiot the mobile phone world in the usa is the same as other comapnies overseas god i cant stand him!!

[TwosComplement]

this is stupid... these ignorant people just don't understand the free market. Its up to APPLE AND AT&T to do whatever they want with it!!! If you dont like it, talk to them!!! IT IS NOT CONGRESS'S FAULT OR PROBLEM.

[8Atbc9]

hack it simmpley

[o0syn]

not true u can unlock a iphone to work on any network

[jmaeshawn]

Yes, you can unlock an iPhone to work on any network... but that's through an unofficial hack (which can and has been disabled through Apple's software updates.)

This is talking about getting the iPhone OFFICIALLY unlocked by Apple right out of the box.

[KARStarla]

I'm starting to think the "forever stamps" and writing letters like the old days is becoming more attractive lol. When I think of all the money spent in communication, its never enough for these greedy companies. It would be great if every person went on strike with them, cancel phones (both home and cell), and cable and everything else for a month (yes, some pain is involved lol)

I'll be hunkering down soon and having to let go of some of my services anyway.

[ZqweBSname]

just "crack" it

[llN0Pell]

Forget iphones. How about eliminating etf's and T-Mobile's "inability" to block texts (the only carrier to do or not do this).

[pork4allah]

Well here we go! It seems that Rupert Murdoch now has control of almost every major news outlet in the world! This can't be a good thing! What ever happend to the Trust-busting, like in the days of William Howard Taft? I think he knew what could and would happen if a small number of people controlled everything.

Trust-busting refers to government activities designed to break up trusts or monopolies.

Simple these corporations need to be broken up. They are out of control do to

NO COMPETITION!!!

[jamierourketen]

why is an australian conservative in charge of so many newspapers and magazines and tv stations!

[pork4allah]

You kiss the Zionist God Lucifer's hooves and Rothschild and Rockefeller will buy you anything to further their NWO ambitions. Murdoch is just another of their evil henchman.

[jamierourketen]

i am not kissing the hooves of anyone!

[pork4allah]

Sorry I wasn't referring to you. I was referring to Murdoch being a NWO Luciferian hoof kisser and a Rothschild and Rothefeller henchman.

Reread the msgs from the top.

Sorry the miscommunication.

Semper Fi

[jamierourketen]

ha ha! i've kissed some ass in my time though!

[NYSFTD]

How is the iPhone's compatibility with a single network any different from the Sidekick's exclusive compatibility with T-Mobile? You have no idea how much I wanted THAT back in the day. Could I get it? No.

[aaroncalhoun]

I've been an apple user for many years and love their product. That said I am thoroughly disgusted that Steve Jobs would do business with AT&T. I am seriously considering ditching Apple products all together. No spying, it's unconstitutional even if the Senate and Congress pass an unconstitutional retroactive law to protect them. Boycott AT&T and Southwestern Bell!

[ruthelator]

There is nothing wrong with the exclusive contract between Apple and ATT. The govt. has no business telling businesses that they cannot have such contracts. The market should be allowed to naturally regulate itself. If consumers don't like it, they won't buy it. Apple loses. ATT uses. Our Bill of Rights does not guarantee free access to technology such as iPhone.

[stayelusive]

The market doesn't regulate itself. It only exploits. The iPhone has immense potential, but of course backwards communications companies will not relinquish their monopoly. They do not care about real progress and technological progress, they only care about profit. The profit motive contradicts the more important human motive. Any unneeded restrictions should be dismantled.

[888mayumi888]

this is so true

[97lt1ta]

its called getting an unlocked version of it you pussies

[op2rules]

For some people who aren't as computer smart as others they won't be able to jailbreak their iphone, making them forced to use atnt, well these people... the iphone isn't for them. Most people have a jailbroken ipod or iphone and this doesn't matter, and its fairly easy.

[Kimiko1387]

That doesn't make any sense. You're excluding a lot of purchasers of these products by saying that. And if something happens to the phone onces it's unlocked is the warrenty any good?

I'm asking cause I don't know. I don't use a lot of Apple products for this exact reason.

[jebril]

What is the song at the end?

[jebril]

Ted Leo And The Pharmacists -> Bomb Repeat Bomb

[leetkeedy]

If you take phones out of 2 year contracts, you will see the end of "free" and even "cheap" phones. Look at the base retail price on even the most basic phone you can find, without a camera even, and you'll find a 200+ dollar piece of equipment. 2 year contracts are a simple and effective method of making cellphones available to everyone.

[jebril]

Yup.

[hunterswine]

apple knew this would happen. thats why they used a loop hole in their contract with att&t. its called "jailbreak" if apple wanted to they could disable any iphone that was "jailbroke" but they dont. why? cause they want you to use it any way you want. you can, just search around yt and you will find out how to do it. i did and i love it!

[TonyRush]

This is one of the silliest commentaries I've heard lately. The fact is that Apple had the ingenuity and the ability to come up with a product that everyone wants.

But owning an iPhone is not a right. It's a retail choice.

So, I fail to understand foolish people like SaveTheInternet who seem to think -- in a communist fashion -- that they have the right demand that companies make everything available to everyone and leave no rights for the company who's providing the product.

Silly.

[shultzIII]

does anyone else notice apple's subliminal message if you pause at 4:20? What is happening on the right hand side?

[seethecow123]

That looks... disturbing. O.o

[thizaze1]

hahahahaha

that hilarious man

[atruevoice]

The revolution to free phone plaforms is on the way. Google openmoko, google android and limo foundation. These platforms are based of the linux kernel. I don't care how cool the iphone is . Its just a golden cage. Use and support GNU/Linux!!!!

[redjay412]

wow...this is like playing monopoly and whining because your not doing as good as someone else...they need to shut up and make a deal with someone to make them popular...one of these days they are gonna make some good deal with someone and then they arent gonna want people to fight them in congress cause they suck at life

[tj1990]

THANK YOU! DAMN SOMEONE GETS IT.

[tchnowiz999]

why does everyone keep saying apple is the good guy in this fight? they are the ones that agreed to at&ts deal, they are the ones that choose what companies carry their products. now apple is trying to make up for its obvious mistake by getting out of the contract, and at&t as any smart company would do is fighting for its best selling product. apple doesnt give a shit about its customers or open access, they actual appose is as shown through ipod-itunes exclusivity. they just want to make money

[dominican1000]

Dear Friend,

Big phone and cable companies are trying to get rid of Net Neutrality, the fundamental principle that prevents them from discriminating against your favorite Web sites and services.

Unless we speak out to our members of Congress, they could move to allow large telephone and cable companies to control what you do, where you go and what you watch online.

[soyArubaru]

What does this have to do with saving the Internet, why don't you narrow your fight? Like the iPhone was the greatest cel on sale. This kind makes your fight for saving the internet a little stupid. Let's Save the iPhone! Let's Save The Internet! Let's Save SonyEricsson K850! Let's save my puppy! Please!

[DIVlDEBYZERO]

However much I dislike Apple for their overpriced products, AT&T has been an enemy of Net Neutrality from the start, and therefore, I have to side with Apple. You cannot monopolize full access to consumer products with contracts. It is unconstitutional. (not really related, but i caught the album cover for "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" by Modest Mouse. One of my favorites)

[redjay412]

how can they not monopolize it...if you have a satelite radio receiver...do you receive xm and sirius...or do you have a choice...no..if you buy one from sirius..you cant change your mind later and use that same reciever to pick up xm..you have to buy another receiver made for xm..so..get your facts straight..and also..xm and sirius are gonna merge in the not too far future..then who is gonna be competition..no one..its not unconstitutional...people from other phone companys need to stop whining

[tj1990]

wow, you said that too, im subscribing to you, you fucking genius!

[douseiai]

refreakingdiculous.... the reason the iphone is with AT&T is public knowledge AT&T offered to assist with the development and work on giving the plan Apple wanted. Apple wanted unlimited data and visual voicemail AT&T agreed and thus the descion was made... t-mobile didn't agree verizon didn't work hard enough for it... if you want the features it offers then go with AT&T... if you wanna unlock it do so at your own risk... Apple has and should continue to have the right to protect its technology

[dougoler]

Just what we need - more government regulation on how companies can do business. What ever happened to the free market? What's the next step? "I paid good money for my house and I think I should be able to live anywhere I want. I demand congress forces my builder to move my house to Hawaii".  This kind of anti-freedom legislation makes me sick.

[mykainsbroken]

People, it has nothing to do with the damn phone....WAKE UP!!

[gilroy]

Um, though I agree, this is nothing new. There are and have been hundreds of cell phones that have only worked with certain carriers.

[XSwordOfWarX]

Yeah but I think it wasn't such a big deal until a really great phone was involved. If it was just another regular phone then nobody would care...but since there is no equal to the iphone at the moment, people don't have a choice...but not everyone is in an area supported by AT&T, thus why this is a big issue.

[flyersluver4eva]

does any1 no if you can use the iphone for wirless net? like from a router??

[KillEmoFagz]

If apple frees the iphone, microsoft has to free halo!!!!

[KillEmoFagz]

And also, LG makes phones for only verizon so why can't apple make phones only for AT&T?

[cornman6571]

why should LG only make phones for Verizon in the first place?

[SPACE3200]

!!! Warning the "H.R. 1955" Bill We need to stop this before if gets to far.Help spread the word

[Bajungadustin]

and i agree.. if i pay for a phone full price i should be able to use any service i want.. (unless i got a cheap deal buying the phone with a new account that i understand) and if i have a 2 year service agreement with sprint then the day thats over i should be able to go to cingular or t mobile or whoever the hell i want... its my phone not theirs

[PatrickChandler]

A better question is WHY did Apple sign the deal?

[Bajungadustin]

well said thats exactly what i though when i watched this... whats apple thinking they would have been better off signing with sprint and/or cingular.. not to introduce a mobile breakthrough on a new carrier alot like Helio did and i wanted their phone but cant get it in my area too bad for them i paid $500 for the sprint mogul apple and helio never even had a chance to get my $500 and i would've bought the iphone over the mogul... sucks for them

[PatrickChandler]

No, I'm sure ATT cut them in on the action or a lump sum for the exclusive. So the beloved Apple is just as guilty. Plus to get a foot into the industry, who do you want to align yourself with?? The highest bidder of course.

[forthediehards777]

What was that song in the end?

[sqdldrfanbarnone]

WHI THE HELL CAN AFFORD AN iPHONE ANYWAY? $600 BUCKS AND A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT?!? WTF!!!

[therealv0x]

BEOS IS SUPERIOR

[videlsd]

It's not about the iPhone, it's just that EVERY PHONE has the same problem.

So...

"

The point is that the cell phones shouldn't be locked at all!"

as said by naresca

[PatrickChandler]

Why does everyone love Apple so much? They're just as evil as ATT for signing the deal.

[Bajungadustin]

im not saying i like apple i like the mogul way better then the i phone especially seeing as i can download everything the iphone has on it that makes it unique... i would've got the iphone but im glad i didnt and i agree apple is stupid for going with AT&T and they are to blame as well i just think they made a bad choice

[videlsd]

I dont like apple, son.

=P

They're just like anyone else for me.

[feistygeek]

there is a technical restriction. The iPhone is a GSM/EDGE device. Verizon and Sprint operate on a CDMA/CDMA2000 network, which is not compatible with GSM/EDGE. T-Mobile could support the iPhone, but ATT and T-Mobile are the only companies with towers that will support this technology.

[ebunn1]

no way

[SCRIPPSCAST2007]

Network Neutrality and open access is key to help the economy in America!!!

[GreenGestalt]

That's really good. Suprised apple didn't scream "Digital Rights Management" and send them hiding under their beds. It's clearly a monopoly issue. If Apple just made the machine, they'd want it to run off ANY phone service, even providing PC support OS's for the "Just pick one" phone services operating out of a dusty server in an apartment.

[stgarf]

Why would apple scream "DRM" when Steve Jobs himself openly chastised the use of it?

[COAnews]

Free the Iphone! Lets get some open access!

[ChristopherLaro]

AT&T is the 'Ma Bell' of the new millenium. Allowing AT&T and the other enormous companies to serve as 'gatekeepers' will harm small non-profit organizations and citizens on fixed incomes. The internet must remain open because this gatekeeper stuff is the definition of 'monopoly.'

[videogamespaintball]

the iphone can be unlocked for use on t-mobile. But it is impossible to use it on verizon because they don't use SIM cards and it is impossible to use it on sprint because they use different frequencies. So basically u choose between t-mobile or At&t.

[madrista4ever]

Pls. indicate your source of Proven and Factual info that the iPhone can be unlocked for use to other GSM networks?

As of the moment no such iPhone unlocking hacks exist. The only iPhone hacks that exists is the ability to use the iPhone without a phone network. Making it a $500-600 iPod

[naresca]

The point is not weather you can hack the iPhone or any cell phone.

The point is that the cell phones shouldn't be locked at all!

[madrista4ever]

I agree cellphones shouldn't be locked at all!

Before the iPhone came. Most consumers are told to believe that Telco's are subsidising handsets cost by tying you to a 2yr. contract plan.

You can however buy a non-subsidized Open-Line CellPhone at a higher price and choose any Network. With the iPhone locked with ATT you have no choice.

The Telco's old reasons that phone lock-in contracts helps lower the cost of handsets and call rates no longer makes sense with the iPhone.

[jbyrd130]

lol i see their point but seriously, there are more pressing issues that congress needs to be meeting on...

[PoiZinConTrol]

Oh, believe me, they have time for this issue. Maybe they should just skip picnics on the WhiteHouse lawn.

Obviously you do not see the whole picture. It's the begining of corporate control over our internet, just like they have over the media right now.

[ichormosquito]

Signed.

[eksit101]

I think that the demolation of our constitution and the open dictatorship by GW and Cheney is slightly more important that iphones. Our freedoms are being taken away from us and more people care about a damn phone. . .WAKE UP PEOPLE. This is just one small part of their global domination. . . . RON PAUL 08'

[ferrarimanf355]

Spamming YouTube videos with this Ron Paul nonsense isn't productive. Stop it already.

[nkvictory]

Of course they're important, but who says you have to focus on only one thing? Multitasking is a good thing. And this is actually a step in freeing wireless and internet for everybody, which is good because it means the "gatekeeper" can't block you from sites/networks that don't agree with their political views (which has happened before).

[RichRobust]

Get this - APPLE CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT WITH THEIR PRODUCT. I'm no fan of AT&T, but this "free the iPhone" crap is ridiculous - if you simply MUST have an iPhone then bite the bullet and pay the penalties. Doesn't our Congress have better things to do than cater to the whiny fad-followers pushing this nonsense?

[iphydeauxi]

I am tired of hearing about the iPhone. There is nothing it can do that a Windows phone hasn't been doing already.

Still I think that locking it to AT&T is wrong.

[2001jeepXJ]

windows mobile is full of bugs and there phones do not have the same "sexy" look the iphone has.

[bchristie]

Seems that Apple made the decision to have an exclusive arrangement with AT&T. In my opinion, the more interesting proposal in front of the FCC is the one by M2Z Network to provide free nationwide wireless broadband, freebroadbandnow(dot)org. That service will help America's poor, not only yuppies who can't take their expensive iPhones to other networks.

[mainmedic]

Of course the only problem with the free wireless Internet plan is that they intend to block and filter websites that are deemed inappropriate. Excuse me but I have the right to decide which website I want to view. Not some company or the federal government.

[lylegentry]

I don't necessarily disagree but it seems like a pretty one-sided presentation to me. You could argue that Apple is free to enter into exclusive arrangments with AT&T if they so choose. Who knows, maybe Samsung or LG will set up a similar arrangement with Verizon whenever they roll out their hot new gadget. I'm not a big fan of whining and running to the government everytime you don't get your way.

[plumpspork]

free  the iphone!

[tgillet1]

This is the sort of informative and intelligent video I want to see more of. Though the other side isn't given a chance to respond, it doesn't stink of propaganda and red herrings.

[urbanclimber777]

good video

[bbruhwiler8]

sign the petition at FreeTheiPhone. org

[bbruhwiler8]

free the iPhone

[sagecast]

Good vid. This issue goes well beyond "freeing" the iPhone. It's about a dysfunctional wireless system that stifles innovation, competition and the free flow of information across the country. We need real open access, which opens networks for innovation and wholesale markets for competition. Until we have this, the iPhone -- and other gadgets like it -- will never reach their full potential.

[Funkid125]

thats one reason i dont buy it. FREE THE IPHONE!!!!!

and, first.