“Apple dislikes seeing its craved iPhone freed from AT&T’s tight grip and has issued a warning towards all customers that future firmware updates crafted at Cupertino might render the unlocked iPhones useless,” Max Brenn writes for eFluxMedia.
“‘Apple strongly discourages users from installing unauthorized unlocking programs on their iPhones,’ the company wrote in a statement to the press. ‘Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty.’ Apple added that the ‘permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing unlocking software is not covered under the iPhone’s warranty,'” Brenn writes.
“It’s not a surprise the fact that Apple decided to set things straight,” Brenn writes. “I have never doubted about the fact that Apple would eventually reinstall AT&T on its “multi-year exclusivity” throne and in the end, this is what it’s all about: Steve Jobs signed a contract with AT&T and has to follow its terms. Are you naive enough to think that in at least two years of development Apple and AT&T didn’t think that someone might try unlocking the iPhone to use it with another network?”
Brenn writes, “Apple’s business is apparently based on sharing the revenues carriers reap from selling the iPhone along with long time subscriptions… It’s important for Apple’s future partners (including the European ones announced last week, O2 in the UK and T-mobile in Germany) to know that they will enjoy the same exclusivity as AT&T.”
Full article here.
Users who have modified their iPhones’ software should attempt to “relock” their iPhones to original condition before installing Apple-supplied iPhone software updates or risk bricking their iPhones and/or voiding their warranties. Hacks are never supported by manufacturers. Solder iron-wielding iPhone hardware modders are, as always, completely on their own.
So, I guess the early adopters are screwed with this one.
Just my $0.02
I am sure the vast majority of people unlocking their iPhone, do not have access to ATT, (I am in Mexico).
I choose to unlock and use a TelCell simm at my own risk. I love it as it is, when they do an update, I will not install it, untill I read that you can, or pay another 39 pounds to have it unlocked again.
If Apple does turn it into an iBrick, I have no one to complain to, and will buy another as soon as there is another unlock hack.
@Max Breen Can’t Construct Sentences
please do not correct my english, as it is not my native one
“Sounds like Apple is just trying to cover their bases. Can you imagine the outcry from the vocal minority if Apple didn’t warn anyone and their next update just bricked a bunch of phones?”
Actually, it sounds like Apple is trying to cover their a**es to escape the vocal trial lawyers that will quickly file a class action suit claiming damages for the bricked phones.
How about leaving your iPhone alone and using it as intended?
Simple explination for all of this.
People are confusing software with firmware. Firmware being that which is flashed into devices, not executed by the CPU itsef.
The software updates require a known condition of firmware in order to load and link, not unlike the BIOS on a PC.
The Hacks apparently modify the firmware so at this point I think Apple is justified in no longer supporting the device once it has been hacked.
I suggest that you research your purchase of this phone beforehand as the terms are quite clear. Don’t bitch at Apple when you break your phone.
Never doubt that a reputable company will renege on it’s contracts. Never doubt that a successful company hasn’t though out it’s revenue stream.
Never doubt that someone will attempt to get something for nothing and complain when they break their new toy.
Would all the people who are saying “Don’t hack your phone” be interested in helping pay the AT&T;international roaming bills for those people who would really prefer to use a local (read: cheap) SIM?
No, didn’t think so.
So shut the $#@! up and let ’em mod away.
Btw, I’m sick of seeing people apologising for Apple and blaming AT&T;… it’s BOTH of them you dickheads. Apple gets a cut for every month you’re on AT&T;. Duh, you don’t think they’re going to protect that? Golly some people are so thick.
Furthermore, while I am not sure which way to go regarding hackers, I think there needs to be pressure applied to Apple to allow us iPhone owners to unlock the phones once our contracts are up in 2 years.
It’s ridiculous having this great new device which can work all over the world, but be hamstrung by ridiculous $/minute charges when travelling, leading one to use a 2nd (unlocked) phone from a different manufacturer.
I guess in this case, Apple and AT&T;have your money so what do they care??? A$$holes.
What did everybody do before June 29, 2007 for cell phone service? I was totally unsatisfied with cell phone service form ANY provider and manufacturer but AT&T;(cingular) worked for me (3G was spotty) and I paid my bill, always hoping for something better.
Maybe you have crappy service in your area thru AT&T;( a big reason for unlocking the iPhone) but if Apple had chosen Verison as service provder I would not be using an iPhone and I wouldn’t be here bitching about it
Everyone here who bought an iPhone knew exactly what they were getting into, locked or unlocked. We waited from January to June and researched the crap out of it and stood in line to buy it, ok not all of us stood in line but all of us put down our hard earned cash.
Why did you buy the iPhone? Jutt so you could complain about, you knew what you were getting into. You knew Apple and AT&T;wouldn’t unlock it like EVERY OTHER phone out there. You hoped that you could install applications, not use them on the internet.
I on the other hand LOVE my iPhone and tell eveyone who asks. It’s exactly what I wanted in a phone and it will continue to get better.
For those of you unhappy for what ever reason I’m sorry but Apple can’t be all things to all people, I guess I just got real lucky.
To TowerTone:
You might want to look at these:
http://www.v-moda.com/collection/modaphones/vibe duo.aspx
But… But….
Thanks Babakool, but the review that I read of those stated the same as the Shure set that I bought. Neither has the ability to stop/skip a song or answer the phone as the Apple buds do via the button on the cable.
As soon as they offer this feature, I’ll get me a pair!
MW:reason…hah!
I’m waiting for the class-action lawsuit against Apple since Congress last year stated in law that unlocking phones is not illegal. In fact, its completely illegal in Europe so I don’t know how Apple can get away with it over there.
Thanks, but I’ll wait for the gPhone and the open network that Google will create when they buy the 700mhz spectrum next year.
my iphone feels snappier since i unlocked it!
@Max Breen Can’t Construct Sentences
“Max Breen Can’t Construct Sentences”
WRONG! How about:
“Max Brenn Can’t Construct Sentences”
“Behold Max Breen: Another example of our failed public education system.”
WRONG!!! Try:
“Behold Max Brenn: Another example of our failed public education system.”
His last name is Brenn, not Breen. Another example of our failed public education system? Hint: use CopyPaste if typing proper names correctly are a problem to you.
Lesson: People are not perfect.
Ahhh… I see!
More to the switch than just a mic. Don’t have an iPhone yet. Seems like someone will eventually do what you want TT.
MW= some as in someday!
As a developer I can think of lots of ways in which a “hack” would interact with an update and make the phone unusable. Without Apple deliberately targeting the hack.
The thing I know but most users don’t is that software is inherently brittle. One setting, one variable, on instruction wrong — can easily mean total failure. And if that failure affects startup or connecting to the host computer–brickdom… not even resettable/restorable.
And Apple has no control over what’s actually been done to your phone.
As much as apple gets pummeled for EVERYTHING it does nowadays, I give them credit for the warning in advance of the software update. They didn’t have to. They’ve never claimed anything but that AT&T;was required (even for the non-phone functions), and anyone applying anything called a “hack” to any device ought to understand they are risking brickdom and their only recourse is to the people supplying the “hack”.
AT&T;is the reason I don’t have an iphone. And, you know, I really am surviving without one. Without whining.
And, my fsking gawd, someone suggested a lawsuit? You are DAMAGED because a product works exactly as clearly specified.
Being legal to unlock your phone just means that YOU haven’t committed a crime by doing so. An act being legal does not make it consequence free. Hey… I broke no laws, why do I have to pay child support? Who can I sue for that?
I think I will sue Apple for creating a class of whiners…. why did Apple sell products to such annoying people?
You hack, you’re on your own. Doh! There are 1000s of phones to choose from…
I can understand it if Apple lock you into a contract period with one provider which is right and fair as it’s something you already know you HAVE to accept if you want this amazing phone. But what about when that contract expires? Will they allow you to unlock it then and move to another provider if you get a better deal?
If not then that’s pretty poor.
For example, a family who all have phones on the same network to get cheap calls with other people on that network (including each other) decide they want to change networks next time round because they get a better budget. If daddies posh iPhone can’t also be transferred after his contract is up then he is also going to have to carry round some crappy cheap phone on this new choice of network, just so the family can call daddy.
I hope Apple thought of this. It’s my situation and I am sure it’s the same for many other families.
Fortunately I am already on O2 and we like it a lot so lets hope Apple has made one of two decisions:
1) Making sure their chosen networks have and continue to have the best deals for families mixed among pay as you go and monthly contracts
2) Allowing unconditionally the unlocking of the iPhone for other networks after the phone’s contract has expired based on it’s electronic start date if it has one.
Also it would be nice to know if they will allow you to switch to their chosen network’s pay as you go billing once your contract is over.
Anyone actually know the answer to this?
“Sounds like Apple is just trying to cover their bases. “
No, Apple is threatening it’s customers in an attempt to get them to not unlock iPhones.
What are Apple’s chances of doing the deals they want worldwide if everybody has already brought and unlocked a US phone?
What’s a carrier going to say?
So Mr Jobs, since I’m giving you all this money, how are you going to ensure people don’t just unlock phones and use them on my competitors network?
Answer from Steve: We’ll make sure every update kills unlocked phones. We dont have that today, but I’ll get the PR people to put out a press release to try to scare people out of unlocking for now.
“they’d have to be pretty danged ignorant to fault Apple.”
Not if Apple intentionally had the update kill the phone.
Simple: if you don’t like it, don’t buy it.