Apple Bent to Cingular - and more than one iPhone coming soon?

I’ve resolved to forgive Apple for partnering up with Cingular. I know that many out there aren’t very thrilled with the premium price tag and the two-year service contract but it is what it is. So at the end of the day, the carriers still play the role of puppet masters.

Glenn Lurie, Cingular’s president of national distribution told journalists at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES 2007) that there wasn’t much of give-and-take since he wasn’t sure if Cingular gave anything to Apple. Lurie also commented,
“I think they bent a lot.” Of course we all know the bending included allowing the iPhone to be locked to Cingular. Also, if you’re planning on getting the iPhone and unlock it, it may be tougher to do so, according to Lurie.

Ok so here’s the more interesting info that Lurie gave out. He said that the contract covers “all models” of the iPhone, including several other devices in the works that may be “coming out very quickly.” This may mean that the second coming of the iPhone may support Cingular’s new high-speed HSDPA network.

Nonetheless, the iPhone is announced to be release sometime in June, but I predict an earlier arrival. Perhaps even as early as the end of March, during CTIA Wireless in Orlando, Fl.

Cingular: We Made Apple Bend [via Yahoo!News]