You said:
“the phone is locked to a specific kind of SIM chip from that carrier only”

The phone is simply locked to your individual SIM card. This locking mechanism is a feature of GSM, a carrier-oriented feature for sure(!), but a feature nevertheless.

Locking the phone to the SIM card is normally the prerogative of the carrier to lock the user in. Locking is used by other carriers, so it is not only an ATT/Apple.
What is being said about ATT not subsidizing iPhone purchases is BS, the fact they were involved in the design of the iPhone is a form of subsidy. Besides, don’t be surprised to see ATT mail-in rebates in a few months when demand subsides and supply is stabilized.

Also, unlocking is normally possible, either via a procedure revealed by the carrier after a period of paying for a calling plan, OR, with some hack. You can then use another SIM card.
Now, according to the following web page, it is legal in the US to hack your phone and unlock it:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/293875_unlock28.html

I believe that in some countries, unlocking after a certain time is even a legal right of the user (e.g. France), so the phone must have the unlocking capability to start with.
And I know for a fact that, at least in France, you can walk into some service shop and have them unlock you phone at any time for 10 to $20 (the carriers don’t like it, but it is legal).

So the question should be: Is the iPhone unlockable in its present version, in the US?
So far, I haven’t seen an answer, but it does’t mean it is not possible.

What I wish to know is:
1- Will AT&T/Apple allow the unlocking after a while using a plan?
2- Will some hack be developed for the iPhone, or can it be unlocked using some generic hack used for other SIM phones?

Apple will have a solid position in a few years where they can make more demands of the carriers. The only way Apple gets to that position is by having this version of the iPhone be successful. Do you think Apple could have challenged the music industry on DRM without a major success with iTunes?

As for the Wifi problem, I had no issues. Reportedly, a “closed” network (a network that doesn’t transmit SSID) causes problems. Have the friend use WPA security and make the network open and see if that solves the problem. If they don’t have WPA on their WiFi router, there isn’t much point to using a password since it can be cracked in seconds with easily available software.

I had no problems with my home network with both a 802.11b and another 802.11g and the iPhone. I’m getting over 2 Mbit/sec with the WiFi connection.

Also, see the following for more info on setting up iPhone WiFi:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305715
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305711

We’ve had a number of questions (and seen plenty of commentary) regarding the recent launch of the iPhone and how it might affect us and the mobile web in general I posted some of initial ideas on this very blog…

These iPhones are going to look really crude, really fast, as both Apple and competitors evolve the (albeit innovative) form over the next 18 months.

I can wait.

Now I have an iPhone after years of Handspring/Visor/Treo/Palm. iPhone is really a very nice Wifi device with a camera, ipod and oh yes a phone on it. In that light it is what it is — agreeing with all of Dan’s objections — so much nicer than my 3+ year old Treo despite the beta-ness. I never felt like the Treo was quite out of beta either.

And unlike Dave, I like the interface. It’s magical and intuitive and easy on my older eyes — the zoom by pinch is just right.

Call me addicted to Beta! I am shamelessly enjoying it.

[1] http://www.openmoko.com.
[2] http://www.openmoko.org