Apple starts selling unlocked iPhone 4S and launch a worldwide iPod nano 1st generation replacement program

As some have been waiting, Apple is now selling the unlocked iPhone 4S.

For those unfamiliar with it, an unlocked iPhone is identical to its locked counterpart, difference being  that the unlocked version is a GSM handset that has no contractual ties to any carrier, on which you can also use Micro-SIMs worldwide.

If you’re even less familiar with the unlocked version, don’t scream out of joy, because you may no longer pay any contracts, but the prices change, and that’s when you realize something is really out of place.

As a matter of fact, if you are interested (read: rich) you can get an unlocked iPhone 4S 16GB for $649, the 32GB version for $749 and the 64GB for $849. As you can see below, the shipping time is estimated between one or two weeks.

On other news from Apple, they seem to have found a manufacturing defect for the iPod nano first generation bought between September 2005 and December 2006.

Such defect could cause the music player to overheat, and we all know what happens when something overheats too much.

Apple is recommending owners of the product to stop using it and check to see if they are affected, in which case you’ll be eligible for a replacement unit free of charge. Not all product are affected, Apple does note that “Only units with a black or white plastic front and a silver metal back are affected. Later iPod nano models with a metal front and back are not affected.” To aid into recognizing the defective iPods, Apple asks you to enter the serial number of the device to see if it’s affected; check here.

If you’re one of the owners of the affected product you’ll be asked to send it back to Apple, and its replacement should arrive within six weeks.

While I find the time it took them to notice such defect quite long, it’s better late than never.

Source 1; Source 2