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I just don't get why Apple doesn't just sell a higher-priced, unlocked iPhone, so that you don't have to get yourself screwed by your local carrier.

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As always: business. AT&T is effectively paying Apple to prevent that very scenario.

AT&T is weathering the downturn relatively nicely thanks to their exclusive deal with Apple. The ~$200 check they cut Apple per 2-year contract is paying for that exclusivity plus like-advertising.

Sometimes I just wish that they would focus more on the customers' needs :)

I believe you can get one from ATT unlocked without a plan, but the price is way up there. I believe $600 and $800 for the 2 models.

That was for the 3G though. I don't know if they still do it for the 3GS.

I found no-commitment pricing at http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=1574:

iPhone 3G: $499 (8GB) and $549 (16GB)

iPhone 3GS: $599 (16GB) and $699 (32GB)

But does "no-commitment" mean the phone can be used on any carrier? Since you can only order it directly from AT&T, I'd guess that it can't.

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