Promises of an unlock were made and holidays and birthdays have came to pass, people get things call GIFTS (really wonderful things in life, apparently you never of them). Plus let�s not forget there is something called E-BAY, let�s say it together now EEEE-BAAAAY. Or even if you wanted to it's called a cancelation fee and you can KEEP the phone, ARE YOU THAT F'ing STUPID? So if you buy the phone at regular price and close the account you are left with one BILL, it�s NOT rocket science.
For your information you in fact can purchase the iPhone at FULL price for $599.99 without a new contract, though some places like Best Buy do require that you have an existing AT&T account.
'Toomany noobs out there.' for simplicity sake aka NUMB NUTS.