Taking a step forward, probably in response to CTIA 2010, Apple has now begun selling contract-free iPhones in the United States at list price. List price means $499 for 8GB, $599 for 16GB and $699 for 32GB. The iPhones would still be tied to AT&T and require their SIM cards, but you don’t need to show proof that you have AT&T as your current wireless provider to get them this way. Original report speculated that the phones would be sold unlocked, and proved to be inaccurate minutes before us posting this. Let down, yes, but now you don’t need to lock yourself into AT&T clutches, since “everyone knowns it takes 2 minutes to unlock them”.

At the time of writing, Apple’s online store still requires a two year contract. Customers can pick up one iPhone a day only. Sorry for your multiple impulse buys.

Source: 9to5Mac

Another unknown HTC phone cleared the FCC today, supposedly headed to Verizon with CDMA bands and a model number PB99100. While no one has any proof that this is the Nexus One, the fact that the Nexus One with GSM bands had a model number of PB99300 might mean you can pick up this phone at a Verzion store near you come springtime, but there’s been no word or official confirmation from the guys at Google, HTC, or Verizon.

Update: Neowin reports that a Google employee has told them that Google will host a press conference during the first day of the CTIA wireless conference (March 23), where they will introduce the CDMA Nexus One.

Source: FCC, Neowin