All the *****in and moaning about Carrier lock-in's are mostly not beacuse of the financial reasons (cause money wise its cheaper generally), but because of the crippling that the providers force on the device, thus reducing the functioanlity of the open device.

The 2nd reason is of course the ideological one - i.t. why should I stay under a f...ing 2 year contract - thats just bondage.

But none of that has got to do with the money aspect. And THAT is the only reason why the carriers keep doing what they do here in the US - cause the money still lures the customers inspite of all the howling and crying.