Should I accept a Free iPhone?

I had a call early this evening from a gentleman that listens to my Podcast. He runs a company that is building some applications for the iPhone, and asked me if he could buy me an iPhone so that I could test out his new applications.

Over the past couple of years I have reviewed my share of hardware, and software so I am pretty used to getting loaner gear. But this was different he wants to give me a iPhone to keep but I would have to pay for the two years of service.

I am really torn here on what to do. First of all I am happy with my current mobile carrier, and the data plans I have with them. I have a 2000 minute plan tied to a family plan of 3 phones and I pay under a $100.00 a month with unlimited texting and a few other things. On top of the mobile I have Sprint EVDO service that I use as many as 160 hours a month tied to a Novatel U720 which I love.

Something would have to give, I cannot justify having three separate mobile services. My wife is not about to switch to a different carrier as she can call all her friends who are all on the same service. With the iPhone locked into AT&T for the next five years, and competitive products months or even years away it is a dilemma that a lot of people are going to be facing.

The only way I am going to be able to justify a two year contract commitment is that the iPhone is going to have to make me money or save me so much time that I can justify it in my brain. Sadly I don’t think it’s that good.

I would rather invest a couple grand in a really awesome ultra mobile personal computer then give AT&T any of my hard earned dollars after all any company that spies on their own customers deserves to be out of business.