While most of the mobile device producers lately have been playing with customers only by changing cameras and designs of the "bricks", Apple has come with a truly new concept of a mobile phone! That was a revolution, which incumbent producers like Nokia and SonyEricsson tried to ignore or criticize. But a true value always gets through, and the iPhone now has become a much desired symbol of innovation breakthrough.
However, to get one is quite difficult, as Apple's restrictive policy allows selling the phones only through "chosen" operators for an official "kickback" in profits generated by the use of the phone. One may name it a good marketing strategy, others- corporate greed.
Putting the moral issues aside, I think this is quite a destructive policy of Apple, because of the following issues:
1) It is generally discriminatory. If I am devoted long-term customer of a given operator, which provides me with attractive terms, why can't I stay with my operator and use an iPhone? If I am a devoted Apple computer user, why can't I freely buy an open iPhone, which works so well with a Mac Book?!
2) It encourages "phone" piracy, as anyway, a huge number of iPhone owners have bought them on the black market.
3) It distracts and senselessly annihilates huge amounts of assets (time and money) spent for "protect it - break it" game.
4) It delays the ultimate world-wide triumph of the iPhone! And, maybe, a creation of a world-wide Apple communications operator, why not?!
5) Given the growing competition from the analogous products by Nokia, SE, LG, Samsung, this additional hurdle may ultimately badly hit Apple, making the eventual losses much higher than the benefits produced by such a restrictive marketing strategy.
(That's why I want to launch a petition to Apple to sell its iPhones as freely as it sells all its other excellent products!- Please see and sign related petition.)