RadioShack To Sell iPhone?
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iPhone is one of the most popular smartphones and gadgets in the history, and a whole lot of people have already picked up their very own iPhone. As long as you don’t mind going to an Apple, AT&T, Walmart or BestBuy store, there is no reason you can’t get your very own iPhone. Apple is keeping a tight control on the activation process to make sure you don’t get away with unlocking your phone without paying up. That has led to iPhone being sold in stores and not online (unless you pick it up from Apple or AT&T).
That’s where the iPhone and the Droid defer. You can easily pick up the Droid on Amazon, Letstalk, and other major e-retailer stores out there. You won’t have to go to a certain store to get your phone nor are there restrictions as far as where the Droid can be sold. But you can’t expect the same with the iPhone. Apple has no plans to make the process easier on its customers and bring the iPhone to those other stores. At least not until it switches to Verizon in mid 2010.
The good news is that Apple may be ready to bring the iPhone to RadioShacks. That’s the next best scenario. So if you are not going to allow people to purchase their iPhones online (through online retailers), the next best thing is to make iPhone available in as many stores as possible. Having the ability to pick up iPhone from your local RadioShack does make things a bit more convenient.
You may argue, why would anyone want to buy from RadioShack or other retailers when you can order your phone right from Apple or AT&T. It’s really about convenience. Things would be even more convenient if Apple brought the iPhone to Amazon. But you shouldn’t get your hopes up in that regard. Apple may be ready to work with 3rd party retailers such as Walmart and RadioShack, but it’s not ready to allow the etailers to handle the sales process. Things may change when Apple takes iPhone to Verizon Wireless. But at least it’s giving us customers more options.
