The Optimist/Pessimist: Apple's iPhone Unlock Warning
The Story: Apple put out a press release Monday saying that the latest iPhone firmware, to be released this week, may permanently disable iPhones that were unlocked to be used on other carriers.
The Definition: "Unlocking" the iPhone allows it to be used on any GSM phone carrier by switching the SIM card. This is different than "hacking" or "jailbreaking" the iPhone, which allows you to install third-party applications. Apple's warning Monday was about unlocking, not hacking.
The Backlash: Customers freak. Rightfully so, since unlocking phones is not illegal nor a violation of the DMCA.
The Backpedal: Apple vice president Phil Schiller claims that some of the iPhone unlocks have "caused damage to the iPhone software," so no promises can be made to the continued operation of unlocked phones with the updated firmware. He says it has "nothing to do with proactively disabling a phone that is unlocked". * [NYTimes]
The Response:: Hackers remind iPhone users that they can still download and save the current, working firmware version, while questioning what software, exactly, might have been damaged by unlocking the SIM. [Hackint0sh]
The Optimist's Outlook: Some part of the unlocking process overwrote part of the iPhone's memory in such a way that Apple is unable to update the firmware without guaranteeing interoperability.
The Pessimist's Outlook: Apple, having already entwined itself with sanctioned carriers, is making the decision in an effort to protect its bottom line, as Apple receives a cut of iPhone customers' monthly fees only if they are using an official carrier. See also: Apple's lack of an iPhone instant messaging application, forcing users to use SMS instead for an additional fee.
The Odds: 80/20 that Apple are being anti-customer bastards.
The Clincher: If hackers can unlock iPhones running the upcoming firmware, Apple is intentionally putting poisoned messages into the media to ward off those who might choose to do something that is perfectly legal.
* He also said "or hacked," but I think in context it's clear he's only talking about hacks that might unlock the phone for use on other carriers, not third-party applications.
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The only destructive unlocking method is the hardware hack. The software unlock and SIM-mod are easily reversible.
The sad fact is that since the release of the iPhone, the unofficial, installed via a hack, native 3rd party applications have added more value to the phone than anything Apple's done so far or will do in the forthcoming firmware upgrade. I'd rather have games to play on the subway or a chat application or GSM triangulation for Google Maps any day over WiFi iTunes Store.
I really don't understand how the entire iPhone saga is being covered by most sites. Is Apple's brand image really so unassailable that they can get away with anything, and still be given the benefit of the doubt? If any other phone manufacturer (like Nokia or HTC) were to release a product lacking as many basic features as the iPhone, and as unfriendly to 3rd-party development as the iPhone, they would be lambasted universally.
The fact of the matter is that with their impending European launch, Apple could very well be legally required to allow the phone to be unlocked with no negative repercussions. As such, I don't really see how they should get even a 20% margin of doubt, when they are at the very least launching a FUD campaign to keep people from unlocking the phone, and at the worst saying point blank that they will brick your phone if you unlock or hack it.
apple is the new sony
@huck
I f'n love that, and I'm so running with it.
EFF apple. EFF sony. Eff 'm all, and their proprietary bs.
Apple is the new SONY.
Oh Christ, I HATE SONY.
I will never ever ever buy anything Sony again, after falling into their swamp. Oh Christ, you are soooo right. Oh Apple, Oh Sony, how the giants fall.
Apple is becoming more and more like their former enemies (Microsoft) every day.
Use caution Apple, use caution.
I don't understand all the geeks complaining about the iPhone. If u don't like it , don't buy it! It's a farking gadget, not exactly essential for your life, is it?
It is unfortunate that Apple seems to be selling out more and more to the Microsoft/Sony mentality, and their products seem to be less well made these days.