Unlocking Iphone Advice

[forevergone]

Hey guys,

I’m trying to wrap my head around the need for unlocking an IPhone. A lot of people say that it’s just to avoid roaming fees but the way I see it, it’s more than that. I don’t want to be tacked on a 3 year contract where I have to spend a couple thousand dollars in the long run just to enjoy the full rights to this accessory.

Is a data plan really necessary to use the Iphone? Is using WIFI enough? I can understand that I won’t have up-to-date GPS but for instance, will I still be able to use a static GPS-like app that will tell me how to get from point A to point B like google maps?

I understand that without 3G capability, it’s functionality is going to be limited if I just restrict it to using Wireless networks but in the long run, I’d like to save money more than anything but still use the phone well.. as a smartphone and ipod in one. And I know I want to get one it’s just that I wanted to hear you guys think.

I guess this post would give me better insight on all the people who intend to unlock the 3G iphone for whatever their purposes are.

Thanks

 

[Whorehay]

Well, for me, the beauty of the iPhone is the 3G/EDGE, since I can look things up on the go where there isn't open WiFi. Usually when I'm near WiFi, I have my computer anyway, so surfing the web on a small screen is not my biggest priority. I just thought I'd throw that out, however expensive the data plans may be

 

[forevergone]

looking for more input...

 

[bleer]

Also if you dont have a mobile network you wont be able to use maps on the go, you are going to need to be on wifi to do this...Since the google map in the maps app is not cached you need a network to load the map, so on the go you wont be able to do this.

 

[carfac]

I think they do that... a 3G iPhone w/o the 3G network is called a "Touch".