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196 Comments
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -4/+164This will go down as one of the greatest tech quotes ever.
"Irreparable damage to software" - pulpjedi, on 10/10/2007, -16/+86I've been an Apple fan a long time. I've spent almost $800 on my iPhone and accessories now... but with the ringtone nonsense and now this I'm really starting to resent the company and their policies. How dare they threaten to brick phones over contractual dogma. They're sending a very clear message that they don't want your business. I still think they're making some of the best hardware out there, and it's still beats Windows.... but geez, Apple is really starting to rot at the core.
- doodlebumm, on 10/10/2007, -2/+52Code from Apple's update:
If (iphone_code_checksum != official_code_checksum)
{
delete_code_and_mess_up_iphone();
} - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -2/+41http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070924/aqm208.html?.v= ...
The press release says it clear as day. - nightstrm, on 10/10/2007, -5/+42Can't wait to hear all the whining that this will undoubtedly cause...
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -14/+50So basically, Apple is saying that unlocking iPhones won't screw the phones up, but that apple will be screwing them up for you.
Way to treat your paying and loyal customers apple!
Anyone still think that Apple should be getting any greater market share when they treat people and the products they bought and own like this?? - Jrr6415sun, on 10/10/2007, -13/+46sorry apple fan boys, but Apple is the new big organization overcome by greed.. ringtones, phone locking/crippling, itunes, and now bricking your phone. You can only blame the FCC, AT&T and NBC for so long.. until you realize who the real bad guys are.
- NsinU8, on 10/10/2007, -1/+32They are probably contractually obligated and have to make attempts at least to thwart and discourage unlocking. They are definately learning a lesson on this one and alienating customers at the same time. Im sure ATT is bouncing off the walls like a newly fixed crackhead. Lesson: Dont make deals with the devil.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -10/+36But the point here is that Apple is intentionally bricking the phones. Your analogy is missing a key part - GM comes along with a baseball bat and takes out your engine.
- ssttuu, on 10/10/2007, -3/+29If they were to brick even one phone I hope Apple can read "DMCA exemption based lawsuit"! In Europe, we have law's that force unlocking to be available.
- llsethj, on 10/10/2007, -7/+32HAHAHAHHA Easy to call BS on this one. Apple would have to maliciously disable their own phones with software updates. A new low for them. I doubt they'd go there. But this is the new ***** up subscription Apple we are talking about here
- cyranthus, on 10/10/2007, -1/+24sounds like a scare tactic to me
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+20http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070924/aqm208.html?.v= ...
This is the press release, WRITTEN BY APPLE. - jads, on 10/10/2007, -0/+17yes...you don't click the update button in iTunes.
- salimfadhley, on 10/10/2007, -2/+17Translation: Steve Jobs will not let you play with his ball - he's taking it home
- fuzzmeister, on 10/10/2007, -4/+19No where in the article does it say that Apple would intentionally brick your phone. They are just warning you that it might happen. FUD, essentially. If Apple actually intentionally bricked phones, they would immediately be greeted the next morning by lawsuits galore.
- ausfahrt, on 10/10/2007, -3/+17Soft unlocking your iphone basically can not brick your iphone. Don't be mislead by apple. I thought all diggers would know that but from reading the comments it seems like some believed this slander. If they create an update that does this AFTER the soft unlock then this would be true (i dont think they will or can) but the actual process will not damage your phone in any way.
- jonkeegan, on 10/10/2007, -3/+17OK...pretend for a second that your job is writing the code for the iPhone updates. Your primary concern is that the software is stable, reliable and as bug-free as you can make it. Do you think that a big concern for you is making sure you don't upset the hacking community, and to make sure you leave their hacked firmware in place, or do you just go ahead and do what you want with your company's firmware? Duh...People start showing up at Apple's Genius Bars with their busted iPhones, with a hack their friend installed for them and you've got a problem on your hands...For Apple to clearly state the facts regarding third-party unlocking is not evidence that they are out to crush their loyal customers...they are trying to keep the 99% of non-hackers phones running smoothly, and let them know that if they want a reliable iPhone, don't tinker with it..
- Ireland, on 10/10/2007, -1/+14I'd say why they call is irreparable, is your phone will likely stop working and they aren't going to spend the time, nor would AT&T allow them to fix the issue. This phone should have been open from the start, this is just how Apple ***** up their advantages at the dawn of the P.C. era, don't do it again Apple.
- cave, on 10/10/2007, -1/+14If the phones aren't running on at&t's network, it's impoosible for them to do that even if they wanted to.
- 5wallace, on 10/10/2007, -11/+22Any idiot who didn't realize this was a VERY real likelihood doesn't deserve to have the $600 it cost him to buy the iPhone. Instead, he should have given that money to me.
- nightstrm, on 10/10/2007, -6/+17If they are updating the modem firmware to improve my wireless performance, I don't care what they break for those who have chosen to modify their iPhones.
- Zorkon, on 10/10/2007, -6/+17Perhaps.
But they might also just release updates in terms of patch/diff files, which contain only the deltas (differences) between versions of the binary files. Works great if you have an unhacked phone, but if you've modified yours, then the patch process either doesn't work, or twiddles the wrong bits leaving you with a useless device.
I know that if I were Apple, having signed an "exclusive" agreement with AT&T, that's how I'd choose to do my updates. It couldn't be proven that I was maliciously disabling hacked iPhones, since diff-style upgrades are common. - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10Sorry, but federal law trumps any EULA you might have agreed to.
And its totally legal to unlock ANY phone you buy so you can use it on whatever carrier you want. - cave, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10They would never do that. Their next firmware could potentially prevent new unlocking attempts to occur, but not re-lock already unlocked devices. Anyways, like Steve said, it's a cat and mouse thing. Just don't be a dumbass and wait a week before upgrading your firmware, by then the hackers will already have released a workaround.
- SuperSunny, on 10/10/2007, -4/+14Apple would be sued beyond belief if they did this.
- autoy, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11Irreparable damage to sources of revenue.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -2/+12Remember though, that 'hacking' a phone so you can hook it up to a different carrier IS allowed by US law. I wonder if Apple think that there is some law that they will be working under where they can legitimately ***** up and brick something they have sold to a consumer.
Its a bit like to make use of your Fair Use rights when making a DVD backup of a DVD you own, you have to violate the DMCA to do so (CSS). - cave, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11Crap! Apple really is the one spreading that FUD. I stand corrected...
- akarpo, on 10/10/2007, -5/+15All I can say is that I really hope some automatic update isn't pushed through EDGE by at&t that would brick everyone's iPhone...That would be totally something at&t would do.
- kazamx, on 10/10/2007, -6/+15true, but what happens when Apple bricks your phone on purpose?
- Vektuz, on 10/10/2007, -4/+12Its actually finding out that your car has this huge boot on one of its tires that is there for no other reason but to artificially slow you down, and then removing the boot.
Then somewhere down the road the car company saying they will blow your tires out "By mistake" for doing that. - extro, on 10/10/2007, -1/+9How about having installer.app? Would that be considered hacking?
- gpw11, on 10/10/2007, -2/+10No, seriously...are you kidding here? Apple has a reputation of great customer service and placing customer satisfaction as a high priority. This is in stark contrast with this announcement (as well as other recent moves by Apple). Be a corporate apologist all you want, but don't tell me you don't see how Apple is becoming more and more like the 'evil empire' you thought they were competing against a few years ago.
- MNiT, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8What will apple do come november? Surely this wouldn't stand against European competition regulations?
- Disodium, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7Last i checked you diddnt need a contract to buy an iPhone, only to use it on AT&Ts network. You can go to apple.com and buy one contract free
- SouthsideIrish, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8Hmm...I am in the US and I don't have a contract, and under the DMCA it is perfectly legal for me to unlock the phone. So, I can sue now.
- merwin, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8Please show me ONE phone that uses DIFF files for firmware updates. It would be completely unreliable and stupid. Firmware is probably the most important part of the phone, and to leave it up to an algorithm to save a few extra minutes instead of spending ~10 minutes for a full flash would be the dumbest move ever.
- cave, on 10/10/2007, -2/+8In both Europe and America, the right to unlock your own cell phone is protected by law.
- Kanaka, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7The whole iPhone saga has just been a complete mess. Locking down to a 2 yr service agreement in addition to $599 and then $399 in two months (Even Woz was displeased about that one). Charging extra to use your own songs as ringtones, woeful worldwide rollout (even the neighbours in Canada STILL don't have iPhone on the horizon) and now bricking phones.
I like Apple but not that much....staying away from this one - zanzzz, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Just say no to "locked" phones, regardless of how shiny they may be. Corporations will begin to understand when their proprietary schemes begin to fail.
- Vician, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7Actually, you're wrong and he's right. The DMCA makes it very clear right here: Computer programs in the form of firmware that enable wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telephone communication network, when circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of lawfully connecting to a wireless telephone communication network.
You're legally allowed to unlock phones in the United States so it protects his right to do that. - dyranios2, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6I dont think they do that
- akf2000, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7You got the wisdoms dude
- JoshuaLowe, on 10/10/2007, -2/+8There's no crying in baseball - if you were someone who unlocked your iPhone, you knew the risks. I unlocked mine, and I accepted this as a possibility. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in Europe, however.
- louiedog, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Nope, GMParrot, it's more like you install your own out of warranty parts and the next time you take it in to the dealership for a tune up the mechanic sets it on fire. Moral? Don't take it to the dealership for a tune up anymore. Wait for the DevTeam garage down the street to start doing them.
This car analogy is really annoying. - Timan, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Yea I'm in the same boat I used that iFuntastic to put custom stuff on the phone, does that include me aswell? If so is there a way to revert back to the factory defaults?
- Hermmunster, on 10/10/2007, -3/+7First, the DMCA protects your right to unlock the iphone. So, Apple can't legally lock an unlocked phone. This is simply their way of saying that they can't undo what you did but they can mess with it in other ways. You HAVE THE RIGHT TO UNLOCK your phone. Apple legally cannot alter the software to do anything that will re-lock your phone. If they do they will be in violation of the DMCA.
This clearly is their way of saying that they will screw with the iphone in other ways. They are warning you.
What apple needs to do is simply just open the friggen phone and give up on trying to split hairs with how much they are going to do (with their implied statements) to mess with the unlocks.
Apple is basically saying they are crazy.
I have Macintoshes here at my shop and I fix them for customers. There's no reason to hate Apple other than to say that these implied threats are not good for the customer nor their company. - javaroast, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6And Apple released the iPhone knowing full well that cell phone locking is a legal activity that is exempt from the DMCA. http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061124-8280 ... It's there own stupid fault when they get sued after they do irreparable damge to customer's who are using their phone in a entirely legal manner. If Apple didn't like the current law in regards to cell phone unlocking they should have got into a different market where they could legally force the customer to follow their terms.
You can be a MacParrot all you want, but at least use your brain every once in awhile instead of just blindly cheerleading for a company. - voisine, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4The software unlock involves a firmware flash. You can absolutely brick a piece of hardware by modifying the firmware in such a way that it can no longer boot up to where the firmware can be re-flashed. All they have to do is make 1.1.1 include a firmware flash that is a delta, relying on contents of the 1.0.2 firmware in order to work, and all the unlockers will have shiny aluminum and glass paperweights as soon as they update.
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