If you buy the iPhone 3G for $99 (subsidized) or $400 (unsubsidized), you are still going to pay for the same monthly rate. Is the 3G data rate cheaper for some other phone? It's not. Is the situation different with any other subsidized phone that requires data service? It's not. Is this situation different with any other carrier? It's not. Rules are clear. If you buy a subsidized phone, you give up that freedom to switch carrier freely without incurring penalty. I don't see how iPhone 3G is unique in this regard?

But iPhone 3G being $99 is what it is. If you have any other 3G smartphone on AT&T, you'll pay the same amount. I'm not sure why people keep on bringing this up. Do other 3G smartphones on AT&T have unlimited data plan that's cheaper than $30 (that can do non proxied connection so you can access ports other than 80?) When people sell cars, they say what the retail price is...they don't add the gas price + insurance price + whatever other cost to keep the car running. As an informed consumer, you are suppose to calculate the total cost of ownership using your typical usage as a guide.

Use a DSLR camera with a high resolution. Attach a VR Lens module so that you can go to any one location and take ONE picture for the full 360 degree coverage: Kaidan 360 One VR (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/360one_mod3.html), BugEyeDigital One Shot, etc. There are various kinds. Use a good steady tripod that'll let you tilt the camera all the way. Best if it has a built in leveler. I'm not sure about how to interconnect them though. I would just get a copy of a overhead map (Google, Yahoo, scan a real map)...link the GPS coordinates in that map to the individual VR views.

What if hundreds/thousands of people dump it in their trashcan, and they all leak into the water supply?