Apple announced the iPhone 3G yesterday and it looks like the days of being able to buy your phone at the Apple Store and going home to do the actual registration and setup are gone.
With iPhone 3g, you will have to do setup in the store. This is to help cut down on people buying the phone and using it with service providers other than AT&T.
Mobile phone service providers don't get it. They should just be selling the service. Let companies like Apple sell the hardware. My guess is that by cutting out having to maintain an inventory of cell phones, they can shave costs. Besides, it is then a clear distinction to the customer as to who provides support for what.
I should be able to walk into the Apple Store, buy the iPhone 3G, go to AT&T to start service and get the SIM card for the phone and then be done with it. I know who provides support for the phone and who provides support for the phone service.
