You may be able to legally unlock your iPhone, iPad if Senate bill passes
According to a Mar. 12 report in “Apple Insider”, Senator Al Franken of Minnesota and bipartisan members from the Senate Judiciary Committee have just introduced legislation that would let users legally unlock their iPhone, iPad (and all smartphones and tablets) after their contract expires.
This legislation, know as the “Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act” is huge news because it allows users to once again legally unlock their iPhone or iPod touch and take it with them if they decide to change to another carrier. As of Jan. 26, 2013, it became illegal to unlock your iPhone or iPad (or other smartphone or tablet).
Similar bipartisan legislation is expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives this week. President Obama has already gone on record as supporting the legal unlocking of smartphones and tablets, so, if a bill legalizing unlocking gets to his desk, it will probably become law.
Unlocking smartphones and tablets will save consumers money. When consumers decide to move to a different carrier, they'll no longer be required to buy a new smartphone or tablet, they can simply use the same device with the new carrier. Besides this, unlocking will increase competition between carriers and promote lower pricing and better service.
We'll be back next time with more news and free apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch!
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