Below are highlights from the Apple press:

From AppleInsider:  Good news geeks:  Apple (AAPL) has begun offering unlocked versions of the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4.  The bad news is that this only is valid in Germany.  Why Germany? T-Mobile is about to lose its exclusivity to the iPhone after several years to O2 and Vodafone.  The price of freedom is steep — 692 euros ($962) for a 16gb Iphone 4.

From MacRumors: Ipads are now availab
le in AT&T (T) and Verizon retail stores. “AT&T is offering only the three Wi-Fi + 3G models, priced at Apple’s standard $629/$729/$829,” the site says.   For its part, Verizon is offering the Wi-Fi-only iPad models, promoting bundles with the carrier’s MiFi mobile hotspot for $629.99/$729.99/$829.99, effectively offering an over-50% discount on the MiFi’s standard no-contract price of $269.99.”  Expect other retailers to begin offering the tablet computer.

From TUAW:   Writer Michael Grothaus argues that Apple should tear out its optical drives because they make the company’s products look “comparatively ugly.”  Grothaus has owned a 15 inch MacBook Pro since June 2009 and says he has never used its optical drive.  Many users also feel they are superfluous, he adds.

Jon Berr