[pavlov]

Apple in 2006 wasn’t a computer company, they were the iPod company.

It was huge as a consumer product. And that was the only thing that could convince a carrier to take a bet with Apple: they wanted exclusivity on the “next iPod”.

[MichaelZuo]

But Cingular/AT&T clearly didn’t sign a lifetime exclusivity contract with Apple?

It didn’t even last 4 years.

[pavlov]

What company would sign a lifetime exclusivity contract?

Four years is an eternity in the mobile phone business.

[MichaelZuo]

A company desperate to convince a telecom to allow iphone app store sales…?