“Since Monday, Apple officials have been warning iPhone owners that using unlocking software could cause the phone to become “permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed.” But in many cases those warnings went unheeded,” Katie Hafner reports for The New York Times.
“People who had unlocked their phones to use them with another carrier ran the greatest risk of, in techie terms, having them ‘bricked’ — rendered about as useful as a brick. Most of those who committed the lesser transgression of installing programs not authorized by Apple simply had those programs wiped out,” Hafner reports.
“The update has [also] made the iPhone ‘almost impervious to any third-party hacks,’ said Erica Sadun, a technical writer in Denver who has created more than a dozen programs for the iPhone, including the screen-shot program and a popular voice recorder,” Hafner reports.
Hafner reports, “Jennifer Bowcock, an Apple spokeswoman, said that when people went to update their software with their computer through iTunes, a warning appeared on the computer screen, making it clear that any unauthorized modifications to the iPhone software violated the agreement that people entered into when they bought the phone. ‘The inability to use your phone after making unauthorized modifications isn’t covered under the iPhone warranty,’ Ms. Bowcock said.”
Hafner reports, “There were reports online that employees at Apple stores were reviving or replacing some dead iPhones. But Ms. Bowcock did not offer much hope to iPhone owners with problems: ‘If the damage was due to use of an unauthorized software application, voiding their warranty, they should purchase a new iPhone.'”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: When companies start to support unsupported hacks, we’ll be sure to let Webster’s et al. know, so they can change the definition of “unsupported.”
That said, Apple, if you plan an iPhone SDK or a “Made for iPhone” plan to distribute authorized third-party apps via iTunes Store for the iPhone, right about now would be a good time to announce it:
Do not hack.
This is not a car to customize.
I agree.
Let the whining begin in 3…2…1…
In other news….
Kleenex stock expected to rise dramatically!
Buy NOW!
LOL
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
suckas!!!!!
I bet you’ll think first next time, as your standing in line with your iBrick to buy a new one. As a matter of fact, I heard if you stick a fork into the vents in your stereo, it improves the audio quality, at least that’s what i heard
The Rebel Alliance is turning into the Empire.
Hey Steve:
1. Third Party apps ARE the killer app for the iPhone. Why can’t you see this?
2. The day you came out and said Apple would not deliberately break third party apps I installed them. That implied they are OK with you – you could have said don’t do it then and there. You need to quickly differentiate those using third party apps WITH AT&T;and those that unlocked the phone. Unlockers knew they were on shaky ground but you all but said I could run my apps.
3. I, like many, will continue to run 1.02 until you either add enough functionality to the iPhone yourself or until third party apps are at least tolerated in a firmware release.
Isn’t cellphone unlocking legal? I can understand Apple not providing warranty service towards anything ‘broken’ because of the owners tinkering, but to turn the device into a brick???
Sorry Luke, but the force is not with you on this one. Apple’s iPhone warrantee is pretty straightforward. Your warrantee will be void and null if you fsck with the iPhone. So users did that, the iPhone doesn’t work, and they want Apple to pay. Who is responsible here?
What the whiners will never understand is that integration of hardware and software requires a corresponding lack of hackability. Not only this, but these techie masturbators were warned REPEATEDLY and still they whine. Guys, real hackers understand and accept the risks.
Grow up and shut up. No-one cares about how much you were injured when you can’t even read!
Uhm…if I installed crappy, unsupported shareware on my MBP that ended up bricking it (or even a Bit Torrent-d copy of a legit program), would Apple be expected to provide me a new laptop? Don’t. Think. So. You want the iPhone to work with other carriers? Go get a Pearl, and wait 3 years, jackasses. Save the drama for yo’ mamma.
If you haven’t hacked your iPhone, you’re missing out on some of the best things about the iPhone. I don’t understand why people are surprised the update can brick the iPhone considering Apple gave warning about what could happen to a hacked iPhone few days before the update was released. If you had a hacked or unlocked iphone, common sense should tell you to wait until another version of apptapp or unlocking software is released for firmware 1.1.1 before you do the software update. I haven’t updated yet since a hacked iPhone is far superior to anything 1.1.1 has to offer.
Okay, Mr. Hacker. I hacked your hack. Will you fix it?
Of course not.
I drove my car into a lake, but my modifications didn’t work, and it sank. Now the manufacturer won’t pay for the crane and even says I voided my warranty. Should I sue?
I didn’t think so.
Sunlokyee is right.
If you hack your iPhone, and you want Apple to support it, you’re knocking on the wrong door. The hacked system isn’t an Apple product, it’s now a hacker product. Get support from the source: the hacker.
The problem isn’t with the iPhone becoming a brick, it is with Apple not allowing 3rd part apps. This is from a long time (since Apple IIe) supporter. How many times have we heard that lack of software is the reason why people bought a winblows machine? The new paradigm has shifted from desktops to mobile (iPhone) computing, and Apple is poised to dominate if they would only allow 3rd party apps. Sadly, it seems they are going to shoot themselves in the foot again.
GREAT YOUTUBE!!!!!
Apple *needs* to allow and support the development community (hackers). These people LOVE the iPhone. They love it, and they will make it better.
Case study in the extremes of cool and uncool, all within a few months: Create the coolest new tech device in 20 years. Create huge buzz and long lines. Then treat your keenest, most savvy customers like dupes or little kids. Tell them that although this device runs the world’s most advanced operating system, and its capabilities might be limited only by the talent and imaginations of its millions of users, in fact it will be limited to just those uses approved by the corporate headquarters of Apple and AT&T;.
Ever since my first Mac, 22 years ago, Macs are the only computers I’ve ever purchased. When the iPhone came out, I felt that as soon as I could come up with a halfway plausible excuse for getting one, I wanted to buy one. Now I feel that if I ever find I absolutely need one, I’ll hold my nose and buy one. Sorta like Microsoft Word ….
Most computer companies encourage third party software, Nokia would kill to have as many developers putting software on their phones (see their new ad campaign). Yet here is Apple actually REMOVING that software.
It also appears that in the separate case of unlocked phones, it is not the unlocking that damaged the phones but Apple’s update software that checks for an unlock and then purposely destroys the phone. It is legal under US law to unlock a phone. You bought it, you own it. Apple does not have to support it, but there is a big difference between not supporting something and testing for, and destroying. I may not support my neighbor in painting his living room purple by picking up a brush and helping him, but that’s different from picking up a gun and shooting him.
I once helped win a lawsuit for Sega concerning a video game I wrote that another company copied. The other company claimed there was only one way of writing the software and we demonstrated that there wasn’t. If sued, by it’s customers, I think Apple would lose.
…and I am saddened by the number of jackass Mac users n this forum that can’t see that the hackers are the good guys in this situation. My hope right now is that Apple is waiting to get the iPhone where they want it before opening it up.
So much for Apple being open source friendly – turns out it was just marketing. If Apple want the iPhone to succeed beyond the initial launch hype they need to support 3rd party development.
If you hackers don’t like the iPhone AS IS, don’t buy the damned thing. Stay away from AT&T;and the Apple Stores in droves (a Berra-ism). That’ll show ’em.
As for the rest of us who understand WHAT we’re buying and WHAT the manufacturer guarantees it will do, may the iPhone’s tribe increase as rapidly as possible!
who need 3rd developer…. they suck anyway!
G Spank is right. It is Apple who is screwing the “fanbase.” It is not the new switchers that are pissed off about this, but the longtime supporters of Apple (developers). It seems Apple is trying to “alienate their base” with the price reduction(they actually handled this decent by providing the rebate after complaints) and now the iBrick. What are they thinking?
@Jimbo:
You’re right. If someone bricks their iPhone by modding it, then it’s their responsibility, not Apple’s. However, it sure appears as though Apple has gone out of its way to make sure (1) you cannot use innocuous third-party apps and (2) block access to the modem for other carriers. The only apparent reason for this is so they can protect their source of monthly revenues from AT&T;(which, I remind you, turned over lots of personal information to Bush et al. without a warrant).
There’s only one reason why Apple doesn’t want me to use T-Mobile: that monthly pay-out. I’m happy with 1.0.2 firmware and my T-Mobile service. I also enjoy having pseudo-GPS, BlackJack, Instant Messaging, Sudoku, Oxford dictionary, a thesaurus, eBooks, Tetris, Text Edit, customization, the ability to email large files (including images), and to use my iPhone’s spare space as disk storage.
Apple’s more interested in themselves than they are in us.
Apple will lose any court battle on this issue. No EULA, as presented to the end user, is fully enforceable. Apple can refuse to support the device with third party software installed, but can not “brick” the device.
G spank… how is hackers are the good guys? they have no moral…..
We love the iPhone as it is, but we love it even more after hacked. Stop acting like apple sheeps and open your eyes. The same iPhone with more apps and features = better. Some of you guys are just too worried about your little warranty to even try anything. You can wait 2 more years until your AT&T;contract is over and still not get a third of what 3rd party apps has to offer right now.
I really boggles the mind that someone who knowing does something to circumvent software that the iPhone was intended to operate.
A user/buyer that are told in advance before buying the iPhone that it IS exclusive to AT&T; warned in advance that any UNauthorized modes could damage the iPhone – GOES ahead knowingly and when what WAS warned happens- gets upset!!!
Either they are very ignorant or totally self absorbed that doing something they are told is wrong and do not want to suffer the consequences.
And I’m sure these are the same people who complain about all those worthless lawsuits.
My 2 cents
With regard to that YouTube video posted by MDN, the hackers actually aren’t “the crazy ones, the misfits…” etc, as implied, because they hack every new device; it’s standard procedure, same ol’ hackers, doing what they’ve always done – how predictable.
Whereas…
…it is most certainly Steve Jobs and Apple that remain “the crazy ones, the misfits…” etc, because they’re rolling out *their* iPhone strategy the way they see fit; bucking the trend and not making the usual poor choices other companies have made that have resulted in shit mobile handsets and shit user experiences.
I believe that as long as Apple is contractually involved with ATT and other cell phone providers, it will be duty bound to prevent the phone from any ‘modifications’ to protect its ability to work on that provider’s network, alone.
Apple and these providers know full well that VOIP is next. Anything less than total control of the device would potentially undermine the agreement between apple and the cell phone providers, who provide network access.
This is a very shrude move on Apple’s part, because it is necessary in the deployment and adoption of iPhone on a global scale; First, partner with the recognized network providers to penetrate the traditional phone market. Second, once global saturation of iPhone reaches a tipping point, allow all software hacks, including ability to use iPhone via VOIP. Third, minimize ties and dependency on traditional network providers, allowing Apple and Apple consumers to function in a free and unfettered market place, open to all. (^_^)
In the mean time, the vast cell phone wasteland could become littered with iPhone/iBricks like mushrooms popping up after a Spring rain. So please be aware and hack with care.
So I was one of those “few” that installed 3rd party apps on my iPhone. A day before the 1.1.1 came out I did a full restore and made sure that none of the 3rd party software bits were left in and I upgraded to 1.1.1 — and now I’ve come to a conclusion on the subject.
I like the thought of installing what I want on my piece of hardware. I think the option to have innovative software on the phone is a good thing.
Now, with that being said… what was currently available really didn’t excite me. Yeah, sure I can run a NES emulator on it, but would I ever really use it? Nah.
I really would like a native IM client on it… and that was the one 3rd party app that I will miss most. Hopefully we’ll see that soon–though I am sure AT&T;likes me using SMS like iChat…. bastards.
I haven’t hacked my phone, nor will I. However, if Apple proceeds down thisa path AGAIN, they will lose in the long run. Let 3rd party developers in! You allow it with Widgets, so why not with the phone? I was about to drop 10K on a Mac Pro loaded, but now I’m not so sure, not liking what I’m seeing, maybe Woz was right…
Either they are very ignorant or totally self absorbed that doing something they are told is wrong and do not want to suffer the consequences.
Our only consolation is that we’re not a sheep like you. Maybe we should just create a device where we can steal phone time from Ma Bell. I would call mine Blue Box.
Just my opinion: Apple is wrong.
Oh … I’m not saying Apple should support 3rd-party apps, that’s not reasonable. Nor am I saying they should fix bricked iPhones for free, that’s not reasonable either.
Apple bricked these iPhones on purpose. Without sufficient warning. (yeah, I know, Steve said so just before the update and the update itself included sufficient warning) Apple, though, had a choice. They could:
a) break the changes, leaving the iPhone working
b) not break the changes, where possible
c) re-install fresh software to replace the changes
Or, Apple could brick them. Now … where the changes were to allow use on another network, both a) and c) would have bricked the “phone” feature of the iPhone. But, then they could reverse the hacks and you’d have a working iPhone again. Sure, charge a small fee for the fix.
Apple claims the iPhone is running OSX. That means it is, essentially, a Mac! And Macs are open to third-party software. While it would be good for Apple to be able to control this additional software, it is much more important that the software exists! Sabotaging third-party developers is not the way to go, here. That is Apple’s mistake.
Dave
The PROBLEM IS
That the third party hacks don’t always come with a warning it’s unsupported and hardware could be rendered useless by Apple.
Third parties try to make a product better through hacks, sometimes doing it for free or for money. Which bringing useful features that people need or want to a hardware product is a benefit.
Unfortunatly in order to bring these new features, certain things like security are bypassed or left open through shoddy progamming.
The iPhone has the potential to be used to spy, to make unauthorized calls and other nasties.
Apple is allowing these hacks a short chaotic regin on their hardware to justify to installing the most stringent DRM possible. The Trusted Computing Chip.
in other news (ATT)
http://www.betanews.com/article/ATT_Will_Suspend_Accounts_of_Detractors/1191270419
What he said…This Apple has a worm in it. Better let “controlled” 3rd party developers in or Apple is going to regret it big time. Don’t think that Micro$oft and/or other phone manufacturers aren’t keen to this, they will exploit this weakness…and win. Is Steve crazy? Making the same mistake…sad really.
Who cares. At most, maybe 2% of iPhone owners have even considered hacking their phones, and less than 1% have managed to brick them. Those that did knew the risks ahead of time and now must face the consequences. Meanwhile the other 98% of iPhone owners are happily going about their normal business.
Apple is behaving like a bunch of assholes.
I don’t believe the “bricked” iPhones are actually bricked. After all it’s just flash ROM’s right?
Surely they can be restored to factory condition and re-activated.
And another point I would like to make is that Apple never actually said that they will never have the facility to allow the development of third party apps for the iPhone. I think it’s only a matter of time before a sandbox is developed.
Another alternative is to allow for a copy of Apache to run on the iPhone along with other standard web technologies like PHP or Ruby on Rails and a MySQL database server or SQL lite. Then you could develop web apps that you don’t need to be connected to the internet to use.
@doc
Wow, this part is really scary:
Customers may find the move somewhat troubling, especially considering the telecom’s involvement in the warrantless wiretapping scandal that rocked the Bush adminstration in 2005. While the company tried to play down its involvement, it also altered its privacy policy to try to claim ownership over the personal information that customers provide to it. AT&T;had no immediate comment on the change to its policies.
I wonder when they’ll extend that to all calls and data transmissions over their system. Who would want AT&T;, given their history?
Have you guys read about the Nokia, anti-iPhone advertising campaign.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/10/01/nokia_launches_anti_iphone_campaign_amid_controversy.html
“We believe the best devices have no limits. That’s why we’ve left the Nokia Nseries open,” the Finland-based handset maker wrote on its new “Open to anything” website. “Open to applications. Open to widgets. Open to anything. So go ahead and load it up. What it does is up to you.”
That sort of explains where many people are coming from Apple. You can spin it any way that you want to, but that’s how it is.
@RC, granted, 98% could care less. The other 2% are the movers and shakers that have a tendancy to make products ‘cool’ . Isn’t this what has been happening now for a few years with Macs in general? It’s the fringe, the ‘word of mouth’ that makes things happen. Now if that base is gone, another competitor comes out with ‘you can download any program you want’ on your’re phone, Apple is screwed. Period. It will be history repeating itself.
What boggles my mind is how so many folks here don’t mind Apple going out of their way to brick iPhones. I don’t own one, but if I did, and I hacked it to add some software, I would certainly expect to be able to revert back to the iPhone’s stock condition. I would not expect Apple to issue a so-called “update” that bricks the phone with no way of me getting back to a factory default setting. If Apple wants to have an update not install if it detects any hacks, fine. Or if Apple wants to release an update that bricks the phone if any hacks are discovered, that’s fine too as long as I can re-install the factory stock software.
How would all of you like it if Apple were to pull the same stunt with their computers? Install an un-authorized app, and your Mac Book dies. Not only does it die, but there’s no way for you to make it work again because Apple altered the firmware to kill the machine. It’s all to make sure that the user experience is the best it can be, after all, and golly, we sure can’t trust any third party developer to make any useful software.
Users happily going about their business…. what a crock. I was going to purchase iToner to get my ringtones on the phone, because I want to use music I purchased legally for my personal use. I also wanted to be able to have the ability to record sound on my phone. Little apps. like this can make a world of difference in user experience. Why are you so willing to take life as is?
magic word : “trouble”
I can’t believe you linked to that stupid movie. Apple’s “Think Different” campaign honored people like Einstein and Ghandi. You’re linking to something that equates them with the guy who wrote an iPhone version of Tetris. Wow.
I know Digg loves the video, but you guys? Maybe your new slogan should be Think Before You Link.
Apple’s Thinking Is Just Fine, Thank You.
Spark’s 2¢:
1. 3rd Party software developers are good guys.
2. Hackers to break AT&T;contractual agreement are bad guys.
3. Apple needs to empower 3rd party developers for iPhone.
4. Apple will have iPhone SDK by 2008 MacWorld
5. All Apple programmers are too occupied completion of Leopard to focus on iPhone SDK now.
6. SDK and/or iPhone tricks run only with Leopard so cannot be introduced before rollout of new OS.
7. Jobs needs to announce plans for iPhone application development to dampen the fire that is damaging iPhone and Apple reputations.
@shiva105
That’s just it. If you do something to your Mac, you can always reformat the hard drive and reinstall the OS. No such “luck” with the iPhone. Apple is doing this on purpose to protect their monthly revenues.
I’ve been a Mac user since 1992 and this is the first time I’ve really been pissed at Apple.
@Spark. Amen Brotha/Sista. You nailed it. I hope it happens just like that.
So many myopic people… Owners of iBricks – you have no one to blame but yourselves. There is no way on this planet that a law suit against Apple would prevail.
For anyone out there complaining about iPhone’s closed architecture, please turn on your brains and think a bit for a moment.
A week after iPhone came out, some obscure ‘security’ company publicised some vulnerability in the iPhone. In the past three months, there were lots of discussions about the security of iPhone’s OS, web browser, etc. One of the unlocking methods was actually a result of an exploit of a vulnerability in the iPhone.
Apple will no doubt eventually find a way for developers to create real apps for the phone (beyond web 2.0 crap). This simply cannot happen until they find a way to control installation of these onto the iPhone. Allowing free-for-all third-party development with just a simple SDK and an app installer would invite all kinds of hackers – not just ‘good’ ones. Many would be happy to write malicious apps, perhaps even viruses, trojans and such.
The number of people who are using third-party apps today is negligible. They are inconsequential for Apple’s strategic planning. The development of the iPhone took more than 3 years. The deal with AT&T;makes sure that it is paid for through all the subsidies. Apple chose (arguably) the best nation-wide cell provider. Where I’m at Verizon blows big time; so does Sprint and T-Mobile (not to mention that Verizon was out of the question anyway, as it is not GSM). Since AT&T;is the largest national carrier, it was an obvious choice. Since the phone is obviously a historic success, they made the right choices.
All those who desperately want to develop native apps for the iPhone, as well as those who want to run them, your choices are very limited for now. You will just need to show patience, though. This will come.
Who is Big Brother now?
Does Microsoft support Xbox hacks? Has Apple promised to update the Linux running iPod?
Most of these complaints are based on strawmen, AFAIAC. I simply do not believe that number of people whom this update affected numbers anymore than a dozen.
As a Mac user for most of my computing life, I find Apple’s handling of this situation despicable. I had every intention of purchasing an iPhone. Now I have absolutely no desire whatsoever. F’ you, Steve Jobs.
@shiva105
iphone isn’t a computer….. you are comparing apple and orange.
to all other,
the fact is… if you don’t like the way apple running the iphone business then don’t buy it. Nokia have a open to anything model go with them….
i agree with Sue
Look, Im not saying that what they did was wrong, they have a commitment to AT&T;and im cool with that. BUT, they need to find away to support 3rd party, simple as that, or else the iPhone will be just a memory as Nokia and others march past.
If you’re not willing to live by Apple’s terms, then don’t buy an iPhone. Wait for somebody to create a better product and buy that instead.
Oh, and have fun waiting.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
MW: “Strong,” as in: Some posters here have a strong case of delusion.
@Got Apple?
The f*** it isn’t a computer. It’s running OS X, Safari, Mail and a whole slew of other programs. It happens to also be a phone.
The iPhone is a computer, no doubt about that. And for all of you who are blind and living in a fairy tale land where Apple can do no wrong. Wake up.
Once again, lazy lazy journalists repeating unsubstantiated rumours. The statement ‘buy a new phone’ has been denied by Apple. Why is it being repeated here as if it were fact?
See http://www.ipodobserver.com/story/33189
@Luke Skywalker
“Wow, this part is really scary”
Not scary to me, and I applaud the actions taken ON MY BEHALF by the the NSA and AT&T;. It’s not like some guy with headphones was listening to my phone calls; it was computerized pattern recognition scanning a zillion calls. Guess what. We have not had another attack on our soil in seven years. So if some NSA dweeb at some point hears a bit of me and my wife discussing the milk I’m picking up on my way home I am neither offended, scared, outraged or any other negative verb you might choose.
After the Pearl Harbor attack, large numbers of innocent Japanese, Germans and Italians were rounded up an placed in internment camps for the duration of the war. America was shocked and scared, and didn’t know who to trust. With arguably a worse attack, instead of rounding up every Muslim, the government scanned some cell phone traffic for threats. Be happy that we could use less draconian methods this time around to assure our safety.
Reminds me of a story I once heard about an egg named Humpty.
@Spark
Apparently, you trust Bush et al. I don’t. He’s show how deceptive and coercive he is. If they want to do it, then they should get a court order to do so. They have a special secret court in place for such actions, yet the simply didn’t use it. Why? It’s not that hard; the judges on that court are available 24/7 and are only a phone call away (hopefully they don’t have AT&T;). The Congress (before and after the election) and the Supreme Court have both agreed that Bush et al. were out of line when they did that (and other things as well, e.g., torture).
It seems a lot of people who think Apple is “dissing” them somehow assume that the iPhone is Exactly The Same as a Mac, and should operate and behave the same way. Here’s an explanation as to why this isn’t the case:
http://brockerhoff.net/bb/viewtopic.php?p=2191#2191
It seems inevitable to me that Apple will eventually allow 3rd party software on the iPhone. But Apple decides who, when and how. If you don’t like the iPhone capabilities that Apple provides natively, then don’t buy it. But if you buy it and then run hacks to unlock it and install unsupported software, then you do so at your own risk. Quit whining about your “rights” for something that you chose to buy knowing its current limitations.
As to what the future holds for the iPhone, only Apple knows the forward plan. But Steve doesn’t often overlook the type of opportunities for market expansion and profit offered by opening the iPhone to 3rd party software. Wait and see.
MDN MW: “plans” – Apple has ’em, and they are generally quite good.
Too many people have bought (or not) arguably the greatest handheld device ever and are complaining that it doesn’t do x, y and z.
Patience grasshopper, great things come in small steps. They had to sneak it in under the radar.
Quit whining, if it had all those wanted features at launch do you think it would have got FCC approval? Or a carrier, maybe AT&T;sux but they offer market penetration. iPod didn’t do much at launch, now look at it.
iphone extreme is the mactablet?
I’m not often sympathetic to the people who hack a device and then bitch about updates that negate their hacks but the fact that Apple has bricked these devices with no way to revert back to factory is unsettling, if not disturbing. It’s just a flash drive for Christ’s sake…Apple would gain tremendously by releasing an iPhone restore utility. That being said, I’m confident it won’t be too long before some hacker figures a way to de-brick (is it un-brick or de-brick?) the iPhone and disorder will once again be restored.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
You idiot. That video didn’t honor Einstein and Ghandi. It equated Apple with them. It said, hey world, we’re just like them… the little guy, the innovative guy.
Apple has become little more than a terrorist.
After all, terrorists issue threats and follow through on them if you cross them.
Saying you won’t support hacks is one thing, going out and destroying others’ personal property because you weren’t able to make money off them is another.
Imagine if Sony started to say that if you use their DVD player with another TV we will come into your house and ‘brick’ your DVD player.
whiny bitches!
Some of you talk as though you have played an instrumental role in developing the third-party apps! You didn’t.
And this FUD-spreading azzwipe star wars character who hasn’t grown up yet, sees monsters under his bed, probably doesn’t even own an iPhone and is probably a windoze malcontent coming in here to take pot shots at apple.
luuuuuke grow up.
“Apple has become little more than a terrorist.”
AYFKM! They’re coming out of the wood work now. Apple is now worst than a terrorist? A terrorist?
This place is going downhill.
Been a hacker all my life. This is funny. Glad I did not buy an iphony…
To the anonymous poster @Tom,
The Apple ads showed Ghandi, Einstein, or others during the voiceover. They did not show Macs.
This YouTube movie shows a scrolling list of pointless apps for the iPhone during the voiceover. If you can’t see the difference, I pity you.
Why doesn’t the development community quit making stupid videos and writing ridiculous screeds against Apple and write something else instead like, oh, I don’t know, maybe applications?
The wailing from the development community would have you believe that every application ever worth having has already been written on every platform except the iPhone. The iPhone is, apparently, the last platform on Earth. Please.
When Apple opens it up (and they will in time), knock yourselves out. Until then, is there nothing else to do?
I don’t know the actual cause of the “bricking,” but most likely it is simply an incompatibility issue. The same thing happened to me when I hacked my cell phone. It wasn’t because the manufacturer made it do that maliciously — it is just the nature of hardware hacks that products can turn into bricks. The more sophisticated the item, or the more comprehensive the update, the more likely the product will be rendered unusable. If you can’t take it, don’t hack.
While I support Apple’s right to do what they’re doing, I think it would be better of them to offer a paid repair service option. If they do have the means to repair the damage (ie: reflash the baseband modem to factory spec), then offer your customers the option to do so for say $150 (more than enough to cover the labor), or offer to replace the iPhone with a refurbished one for say $250, then take the bricked iPhone, refurbish it, and offer that to the next person who comes in with a self-bricked phone.
Sure, they aren’t obligated to do anything, but these people are still Apple’s customers, and treating them like criminals is not a great way to keep customers happy. If Apple did what I’m suggesting, they would accomplish the same thing (deter unlocking), but save face while doing it.
My 2¢.
I don’t know how stupid you have to be to NOT know that this was going to happen.
That being said, the iPhone is a consumer MESS. People should stay away from this phone for any number of reasons not the least of which is that it is effectively NOT your phone after you buy it. You buy it and you think you own it, but you don’t. You make any change to your Apple iPhone that Apple does not approve of and they will destroy it.
At this point a freaking ZUNE is a more Apple like device to own.
Why does everyone what to create 3rd party applications for the iPhone?
Why does everyone what the iPhone open to run on any network?
Why are their companies will to gamble on gray areas of the law?
The iPhone is a cell phone why is any of this even news?
Because the iPhone is a revolutionary cell phone (it’s even more revolutionary then a smart phone). It will be the hottest cell phone on the market for at least the next 3 to 5 years.
My advise is keep whining and keep the iPhone talk hot, Good or Bad. The talk all leads in one direction for iPhone sells and that is up. Why because only about 1% of iPhone buyers will ever hack the iPhone to install third part or unlock it to use it on another carriers network.
All the talk just reinforces the fact to people that the iPhone is the Hottest MUST Have cell phone on the market.
The more people (even when the Apple fans) say that Apple is behaving badly the better sells will be. Keep the I’m not buying an iPhone now!! Rants up too.. Their even better of sells then the general whining.
I want my AAPL to hit $225.00 by July 2008.. so keep on making everything that Apple does a huge deal.
If you don’t like the way Apple is handling the iPhone, then go and buy a n95 and hack that. Seems simple to me…
Just waitin’ for Macinsoft to brick all the “changed” Apple TVs.
“What? You opened it up and replaced the hard drive that we decided you needed? Warrranty voided. Tough Shit, buy another one.” Oh, but Apple learned from the Apple TV hacks and upgraded the hard drive offering.
Hackers, screw Apple. Don’t hack anymore of their equipment. Make them pay someone to develop advancements. They’re on the Microsoft path, help them along.
Sorry but if you buy the phone, IT IS YOURS! It should not be up to anyone to make it stop working regardless of what you have done. And I am sure Apple is not bricking the iPhone by accident.
No one is asking Apple to like it but please let people do what they like with the products they buy and do not interfere. Don’t cover it in warranty, fine but don’t render it useless. When the phone is sold to a customer, it NO LONGER BELONGS TO APPLE. It is the same as coming to your house and taking it from you without a refund.
I think this is an orchestrated FUD program to discredit Apple.
That being said, this reminds me of a two year old being told they will have their hand slapped if they touch the hot stove, they do it anyway (because they don’t LIKE being told what they can do and not do), they either get burned or their hand slapped (or both) and get sent to their room, where they promptly have a tantrum. Boo Hoo! Grow up.
The only difference between a two year old and most adults is the adults think that now they have “growed up” nobody can tell them what to do.
the fact that i actually laughed and relate to the name Macinsoft gives me pause. The “Anti-Apple” backlash has begun. It’s sad that it took microsoft 20 years to get the backlash, but Apple gets barely after they are out of the gate and on the upswing. sad.
Dumbasses
http://www.macinsoft.com
Free publicity I guess.
For those of you who saw the “AT&T;anti-free speech” posting above, it looks to me as if the intent of the clause has been purposely distorted by those with an ax to grind:
“AT&T;may immediately terminate or suspend all or a portion of your Service, any Member ID, electronic mail address, IP address, Universal Resource Locator or domain name used by you, without notice, for CONDUCT that AT&T;believes (a) violates the Acceptable Use Policy; (b) constitutes a violation of any law, regulation or tariff (including, without limitation, copyright and intellectual property laws) or a violation of these TOS, or any applicable policies or guidelines, or (c) tends to damage the name or reputation of AT&T;, or its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries.”
This obviously is aimed at CONDUCT (such as spamming) that would reflect on AT&T;’s reputation by associating AT&T;’s name with the objectionable conduct. It is a bit disturbing that taken out of context, clause (c) COULD be used to stifle free speech. However, it would be difficult for AT&T;to enforce that interpretation. As someone above stated, this is obviously a ‘contract of adhesion’ and would quickly be voided by any court if any of a number of sections were challenged.
This is very simple:
1) You were warned,
2) You ignored the warnings, like ignoring the speed limit and getting a speeding ticket–is it the cop’s fault you were caught?
3) Hackers are good for the community, yes, but if you try to hack the system and the hack doesn’t work, you lose the game–DON’T CRY ABOUT IT.
4) The iPhone is not a computing platform, but it is a consumer product. Go hack your BlackBerry, brick it, and ask RIM to replace it. No dice, dude, they’ll laugh in your face. (and so would Nokia, even though they are taking this opportunity to PR against the iPhone).
5) If you want to hack the iPhone, prepare to lose your money on it. Why do people always expect companies to act (read: pay) because they didn’t do things the way people expected it to work (even though they were told otherwise)?
6) Don’t be a typical, whiny American bitch. It makes us continually look bad around the rest of the world. It’s embarrassing.
There are no fucking rules to this and so Apple should go with the flow or risk becomeing a small player…..oh wait. We’re fucked!
I won’t buy an iMac or Macbook if i can’t install software on it, and i won’t buy an iphone if i can’t install software on it. It’s as simple as that. I don’t complain, i just spend my money somewhere else.
@ Ako
That’s fair.
I just want to go on record saying that I love Apple and its products. I’ve been an Apple computer ever since the Apple ][+. I bought the very first 128Kb Mac and now own 4 Macs of various varieties, and I have a 1.1.1 working iPhone. Second, I want to go on record as saying that anyone who hacks any device does so at their own risk, and if you hacked your iPhone and the hacking bricked the phone, that’s your own fault and you’ve voided your warranty and can’t expect warranty repairs. But I think that both sides in the argument here are missing the fundamental point. Apple isn’t just saying to owners of bricked iPhones that they can’t get repairs under the warranty, they are saying that NO NON-WARRANTY REPAIRS ARE AVAILABLE. That’s a completely different kettle of fish. It’s one thing to tell a customer that they’ve voided their warranty and so they have to pay for repairs, and it is an entirely different thing to refuse to let the customer pay to get their out-of-warranty item repaired at all. Yet that is what Apple is doing. They say that the bricked iPhone is “not eligible for technical support” and your only recourse is to get a new phone. While voiding the warranty is certainly within Apple’s right, refusing to let the customer pay to fix it is pretty sleazy. And make no mistake, they can fix it if they want to. The fact is, as shown here, http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/01/a-note-to-both-apple-and-iphone-customers-on-the-v1-1-1-update/
both hacked and unhacked iPhones have been bricked by 1.1.1, and, as shown here: http://www.tuaw.com/2007/09/27/apple-geniuses-are-reportedly-unbricking-iphones/
Apple is able to unbrick the phones, it just refuses to do so.
In my opinion, it is pretty unprecedented for a company to flat-out refuse to provide an available out-of-warranty repair to paying customers. But that is what Apple appears to be doing. And if they deliberately bricked the phones (and by that I mean specifically wrote code to brick the phone, not merely ignoring the fact that the code they wrote would brick the phone) and then refuse to let the customer pay to fix it when the fix (a simple restore to factory settings) exists, then I think that they are in for some legal jeopardy as well.
Christ, there are so many mindless Apple fanboys on here it’s staggering. What exactly would Steve Jobs have to do to offend you? Perhaps come round and physically assault your family?
Irrespective of whether you love Apple or not, we should all resist this kind of restrictive practice.
What are we talking about here ultimately? Users daring to unlock devices they own and the manufacturer effectively breaking the product because they’ve decided they don’t like it.
Wouldn’t a more reasonable attitude by Apple to be to have reset the phone to it’s original settings and lock out the 3rd party apps? Sony have done exactly that with their PSP.
I’ve no idea about the legality of this act in the US but speaking to a corporate lawyer friend of mine this is sort of act will be illegal under EU law when the iPhone comes to Europe.
In Europe most products like the iPhone as part of a service contract e.g. 18 months with O2. You buy an iPhone under contract, unlock it and then Apple brick the product so you end up tied into a contract paying for a phone you can’t use because the manufacturer has broken it.
Whatever…..
“In Europe most products like the iPhone as part of a service contract e.g. 18 months with O2. You buy an iPhone under contract, unlock it and then Apple brick the product so you end up tied into a contract paying for a phone you can’t use because the manufacturer has broken it.”
Wanna try again? I think you dropped something, like crucial words that would have make your post readable.
@Luke Skywalker
“They have a special secret court in place for such actions, yet the simply didn’t use it. Why?”
FISA was authored in 1978 and was not structured to deal with quantity, portability, and disposability of modern cell phones. Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell has stated, when asked about the Executive decision to work outside of FISA, that it takes 200 hours to assemble a FISA warrant on a single telephone number. “We’re going backwards,” he said. “We couldn’t keep up.”
Common sense backs up this assertion. Yes, I choose to believe the people that were attempting to get a handle of the threat during a crisis situation. I applaud the proactive actions taken. I choose to believe that these were good people trying to do what they could to prevent another attack. You are certainly free to think otherwise.
I’m with Apple on this, just wait until they really get a handle on this product, it’s still so fresh. btw, isn’t it true that the iphone only gets ‘bricked’ if you try to unlock it, but not if you simply add 3rd party apps?
Salvation for the locked phone…
http://limitededitioniphone.com/bricked-iphone-after-firmware-111-steps-to-fix/
If you unlocked your iPhone, you’re still iPhucked. Well, kinda…read the article.
Amen Spark
Apple stance on third party apps is very Microsoftish.
I agree with Apple. You screw around, you get burned. Enjoy your iBricks!
Rainer Brockerhoff:
“…Consider now the iPhone. Its entire system (OS X 1.x) is built into firmware, mostly in a compressed state. This is expanded and run by the main ARM processor, obeying a built-in boot ROM. Supposedly, there are at least two more processors, taking care of network communications and of the cellular radio; each of these has its own boot ROM, and the radio processor has separate flash memory to hold state information regarding the SIM card, cellular system activation and so forth. One of these processors no doubt controls the USB interface to allow the main processor’s flash memory to be reloaded externally. Furthermore, every SIM card also has flash memory on it, containing the IMSI number, network identity, encryption keys and so forth, bringing one more source of complexity to the process.
“In other words, you have a complex system of at least 3 processors interacting, each one with a boot ROM, two with flash memory containing state information…”
Much more at: http://brockerhoff.net/bb/viewtopic.php?p=2191#2191
What a suck ass video. I mean come on a scrolling list, thats the BEST they could do? Was that video made on Windows XP or something?
We seem to have a lot of Apple partisans here. I like my Mac and OSX. I wouldn’t go near the Mac until OSX came out and I felt I had some control, and I wouldn’t touch the iPhone at this point.
If I buy hardware, it’s mine, and if the manufacturer deliberately breaks it, as Apple seems to have done, just because I’ve changed some software, they have probably broken the law. Note that the operative word there is deliberately.
Someone commented that driving a car into a lake will break it. This is true, but if the manufacturer builds in something that makes it take control of itself and dive into a lake when I go to change the oil, that would no doubt be illegal.
Apple has gone too far.
This is more like Apple saying:
If you drive drunk the car will detect the alcohol and a kill switch will prevent you from starting the car, which BTW PREVENTS you from driving into the lake.
Mw = test
as in, sobriety test
http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com
IPhone! – Hahahahahahaha $500! Fully subsidized!
IPhone! – Hahahahahahaha $500! Fully subsidized!
If that isn’t the most expensive phone in the world and it does not even appeal to business customers because it doesn’t even have a keboard, which makes it not a very good e-mail machine! It may sell well or not, I don’t know, but we have our plan and I like it very much. We have great windows mobile devices in the market today. We have the Motorola phone for just $99, it will play pong, it will do e-mail, do internet, …..
I like our strategy I like it a lot!
@awestruck
Well, it gives me great pleasure to know I’ve gotten under your skin so much…
For the record, I’ve been a Mac user since 1992 (Centris 610) and my current lineup of Apple devices are:
Two iPhones (mine and my wife’s)
MacBook Pro
MacBook (wife)
Mac Mini #1 – home desktop
Mac Mini #2 – runs home theater
Apple TV
AEBSn with 500 gig drive
At work I have:
24″ iMac C2D in the office
20″ iMac G5 in the lab
Mac Mini in the lab
Our phones will stay at 1.0.2 and they will be superior in function compared to any iPhone running 1.1.1.
Breen hits it on the nose:
http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/editors/2007/10/applecriticism/index.php
“If you drive drunk the car will detect the alcohol and a kill switch will prevent you from starting the car, which BTW PREVENTS you from driving into the lake.”
Except that the Apple kill switch is permanent, your car never works again. You can’t drive into the lake because you don’t have a car any more. As people are saying, that goes to far.
Exactly what has Apple saved you from, doing something that would stop your phone working properly?
Pure brilliance. We must kill people’s iPhones so they won’t be inconvenienced by 3rd party software that may not work reliably!
Great supporting argument.
Solution:
Provide a way to revert to the previous software.
Continue releasing updates ONLY for valid iPhones.
That way, everyone wins.
That is clearly the obvious solution and why it takes three full pages and 108 posts to get there is because for some jerks Apple can do no wrong and for other jerks Apple can’t do anything right. They should enable owners of bricked iPhones to restore them to factory (and charge for that or not, I don’t care) and then not allow hacked iPhones to be updated, period. They can easily have the install routine check whether the phone is in its proper state or has been tampered with, and it seems to me that denying updates is sufficient punishment to the hackers. The idea that because you hacked the phone that you can’t get it fixed even if you pay for the fix is simply vindictiveness which Apple should be above.
The Apple representative’s argument is ridiculous. Who except a mindless fanboy is going to buy ANOTHER iPhone after Apple wrecks your first one?
What is NOkia’s customer satisfaction rating for hardware and software reliability and general quality??
It is in the TOILET.
Nokia open??
Sure thing. Like a prostitute’s legs.
The iPhone is unusable as a phone. Apple should get out while they can. They are not ready for prime time with a phone that hardly works as a phone. If I switch internet providers could hey kill my mac? They don’t subsidize they price. Apple wil spend more time making these mistakes, lose people. LG’s Voyager looks like it might “kill” this useless “phone”
Apple’s becoming way too touchy, paranoid and big brother-y for my tastes. they should SUPPORT these hacks. When the original Mac came out, when you went to MacWorld, everyone was doing crazy new things with the computer. It was a hacker’s paradise, the early Mac scene, and very much one of the reasons so many old school Mac-heads love the platform.
Apple could have the same type of community with the iPhone–the hackers are going to do cooler stuff with the iPhone than Apple is, that’s just the truth. Apple should not punish these innovates…those who dare to “think different”
MDN should come up for air out of Apple’s crotch, take a cold shower and learn how to be a little objective.
LISTEN, you as++oles who are trying to legitimate Apple attitude: IT’S ALL ABOUT GREED , YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT ?! JUST AND ONLY ABOUT GREED , STEVE JOBS EGO , AND POWER MADNESS !!
There is not ONE good reason to don’t let iphone owners install free software or even use it with the carrier of their choice ! It’s an absolute shame from Apple.
And “Luke Skywalker” is right : the rebel alliance become the empire.
What would you think the young 20 years old Steve Jobs would have think in the same situation ( having his iphone bricked ) , He probably would have say ” fu++ing bas++rds!” . And he would have been right. Jobs lost the ideal of his youth and is falling on the dark side of the force and Apple is on its way to become a dark empire .
You know why people are in such anger? Let me tell you why! When the Iphone was revealed in january, one of the reason we all instantly found in love with it was because Apple bring the FUTURE in the present. Suddenly, a device which seems to only belong to the Star Trek series was going to be available. A dream come true.
And then, Apple decided to transform the dream in nightmare , to bring the future in the present, but a future with chains, a device that make each customer a slave – “no, you can’t choose your carrier ! no, you can’t download free software !” etc…Do you understand you stupid as++oles who don’t have any vision?
What Aplpe did is unforgivable: Steve Jobs has destroyed the idea that future will bring more freedom , in two words ( or more ) he has destroyed all what he was fighting for 30 years ego. He is doomed.
Why does everyone keep saying that Apple bricked their hacked iPhone. No.. You bricked your own phone by trying to update it with the new software against the advice of Apple. If you did not try to upgrade it, it would still be working right now. I could understand if Apple made you upgrade it against your will and it broke. But you had a choice. You should have known that once you tamper with anyone’s product you would not be covered by the manufacturer anymore.
You hack it. Your on your own. So don’t use Apples updates, make your own.
Ha Ha Ha Ha….suckers.
to Mac4lfe : What you seem to don’t understand ( along with others ) is that downloading third-party software do NOT brick the IPhone.
And Apple could very well have released a software update that didn’t brick the IPhone – they did it intentionaly, this is where is the problem. But i agree with you, the best, when an iphone is hacked is to don’t take the risk to download any Apple software update.
HOWEVER , hackers are working hard to break the new update 1.1.1 , and a solution will come probably soon.