Apple unlocks iPhone 3G for Hong Kong sales

In a departure from it's previous strategy, Apple is making the iPhone available for use with any carrier in 22 countries.

Sep 27, 7:15 AM EDT

Unlocked iPhone 3G on sale in Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AP) -- Apple Inc. is putting on sale unlocked iPhone 3G in Hong Kong, allowing people to use it with any mobile phone carrier.
The move seems to depart from its previous strategy of introducing the popular device capable of 3G, or third-generation, through specific service providers in 22 nations.

On its Hong Kong Web site, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company is advertising direct sales of iPhone 3G, saying people can "buy directly from Apple" and choose their own carrier.

"Phone 3G purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier," it said on the site.

Offering free shipping, the 8-gigabyte phone goes for $5,400 Hong Kong dollars ($695) while the 16-gigabyte version costs HK$6,200 ($798).

Since the global rollout in July, Hong Kong buyers could only purchase the multimedia phone from Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. with a two-year mobile contract, even though the device was widely available on the black market.

Legal purchase of an iPhone usually locks a buyer into a service provider partnered with Apple, such as Softbank Corp. in Japan.

In the U.S., Apple sold an 8-gigabyte version for $199 and a 16 gigabyte model for $299.

Google Introduces a Phone With PC Features

Google challenges Apple in the convergence of telephony and computers. Read the whole story at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/technology/internet/24google.html?_r=1&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin

iPods becoming standard equipment for collegians

The upcoming workforce will be experienced using MP3 players and cell phones for learning as well as entertainment: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/21/technology/21iphone.html?_r=1&ex=1219982400&en=c4491739ef5cc387&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin