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Apple Issues Warning on iPhone Unlocking

one1 said:
Apple is not going to brick the iPhone. It is illegal for them to do so. The end user has the right to unlock the phone. This is the law.

For that matter even if they attempt to relock them they will likely be facing a class action suit since there are laws that protect phones and apple is out of their league in this area.

Me thinks Steve needs to read up on the laws he is not familiar with before he even considers attempting to relock or brick anything.

Know your laws and rights people. Apple is stepping into an area they don't know anything about and their lawyers better read up good before they maliciously do anything. This isn't a computer, it's a protected class (phone) and it has full rights to be unlocked.

Apple can refuse software updates. They can refuse to do anything at all with the phone from here on out, but they cannot lock or brick it based on the fact it is unlocked. No lawyer on earth is that stupid to authorize that for apple to go ahead with knowing the class action that will follow and the involvement of the regulatory commission that controls the phones and the laws.

Period. No malicious software to relock or brick. Apple's "we'll do what we want" attitude (seen in the cisco fiasco) will stop quick when the fcc comes knocking. That's not a company, that's the government.
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Really? I thought that they could update the software/firmware on their phone as and when they liked. If it happens to plug a security hole being exploited then too bad for the exploiters.

Intentionally bricking is one thing, fixing loopholes to fix exploits seems like another.
 
sidragon said:
Exactly what "intellectual property" are they protecting? Contrary to your opinion, you do have the right to dispose of your property as you see fit, and that includes everything from unlocking your cell phone to modifying your car such that its engine burns biodiesel. Do not confuse property rights, intellectual or otherwise and relevant or not to this discussion, with the fact that Apple has no obligation to support your exercise of those rights.
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IPHONE SOFTWARE IS NOT YOUR PROPERTY. The actual tangible piece of glass/metal and plastic is ALL THAT YOU OWN.
 
First off Apple is not purposely bricking the phones. They simply are not going to bother wasting revenue rewriting code around third party hacks. We are not talking about just a software update. We are talking about firmware. For those that do not understand firmware (I mean that in the sense that not everyone is a computer tech), firmware is software that resides in a chip on the main circuit board of the hardware (if this was a windows PC we would call it a bios chip). The hack for the iPhone didn't just change the OS of the iPhone it rewrote that firmware. Restoring the iPhone does not restore the firmware. It is very possible that the hacked firmware may be unable to be flashed in the same way that the original firmware is, therefor trying to run a legit firmware update may corrupt the firmware chip rendering it unusable. The iPhone at that point would not function and would not be restorable. It is likely that Apple would have a firmware restore utility however even that would not be guaranteed to work because most likely it would be designed with the purpose of fixing a misapplied legit firmware.

As for shouting foul to Apple I have to say props to them for making this public before the update. They did not have to give any warning other than the license agreement for the update which most people do not read other than to simply say OK. You have been given a rare warning that most companies do not bother doing, those that have hacked their iPhones have a chance to either find a way to restore the phone to non hacked versions or forgo and upgrades. I would also suggest acting quickly on this as well as most of the sites that are providing a guide to do this are linking to copies of the original Apple firmware which Apple does not actually make available for download so that might get shut down pretty quick.
 
MacAerfen said:
First off Apple is not purposely bricking the phones. They simply are not going to bother wasting revenue rewriting code around third party hacks. We are not talking about just a software update. We are talking about firmware. For those that do not understand firmware (I mean that in the sense that not everyone is a computer tech), firmware is software that resides in a chip on the main circuit board of the hardware (if this was a windows PC we would call it a bios chip). The hack for the iPhone didn't just change the OS of the iPhone it rewrote that firmware. Restoring the iPhone does not restore the firmware. It is very possible that the hacked firmware may be unable to be flashed in the same way that the original firmware is, therefor trying to run a legit firmware update may corrupt the firmware chip rendering it unusable. The iPhone at that point would not function and would not be restorable. It is likely that Apple would have a firmware restore utility however even that would not be guaranteed to work because most likely it would be designed with the purpose of fixing a misapplied legit firmware.

As for shouting foul to Apple I have to say props to them for making this public before the update. They did not have to give any warning other than the license agreement for the update which most people do not read other than to simply say OK. You have been given a rare warning that most companies do not bother doing, those that have hacked their iPhones have a chance to either find a way to restore the phone to non hacked versions or forgo and upgrades.
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EXxxxxxxxxxxxxactly. Anyone who has ever tried updating a BIOS and has seen the checksum error for verifying a legit current BIOS - has seen exactly what can happen. Much of the reason for motherboards such as those from Gigabyte featuring "dual bios". One is the active, one is the unmodifiable original - in the event the flashing fails, the board will default to the original.
 
one1 said:
the PR was about "unlocked iphones" which from that angle will get them in a world of trouble.
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What trouble? The software unlock is taking advantage of a open door (just using an example). Apple closes door for security reasons but saw that it was being used by unlockers. Puts out press release.....update may hurt unlocks. Now they didn't go after the unlocks just finally closed the door that was being abused. Don't see how they would be in the wrong.
 
Stokkes said:
Unlocking your iPhone is not illegal. In fact, I believe US Law allows anyone to unlock their phones should they wish (hence why most carriers will provide an unlock code).

If apple is bricking phones because they're unlocked (which is legal), I smell a class action lawsuit a-brewing.

Edit:

Here's the link:
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061124-8280.html


Yep, it's in the DMCA.

Edit #2:
I just wanted to add that the apple fanboy-ism that some people spewing out here is rather disgusting.
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What? A lawsuit? Give me a break, Apple doesn't want to brick iPhones. I just so happens that the update may break the iPhone and they don't want you complaining to them. Code was edited on the firmware and it so happens that the update needs an unedited firmware. And they don't have to legally support unlocked iPhones. Yes, it is legal for you to unlock, but they don't have to make sure that is fully updated. Too much time would be wasted trying to work around all these hacks.

Even if they were intentionally bricking, you think Apple will come out and say "Yes, we are 'bricking' these iPhones on purpose?" Hell no. They'll just say that it so happened that the update wasn't meant for unlocked phones.

Same goes for car dealerships. That warranty for the car is kept alive as long as you don't mess with the internals. You add a cold-intake and a few modifications that don't do too much to your car, and you can kiss that warranty goodbye.
 
overcast said:
Ok so an iPhone mod causes it to use more battery life, leading to more frequent charges, leading to more coal being burned.
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Funny man :rolleyes:. iPhone causes no safety/hazard issues as a result of an unlock/hack. It doesn't have an exhaust or tinted glass

Im not having this analogy arguement with you. Don't have that much time to waste.
 
Mydel said:
Im living in US 4-6 months a year, I speak few languages but english is not my first. Sorry if it make such a huge difference to you.
I'm not complaining about not being able to update. All I say IF they will brick phones on purpose it really stink. Thats it. They shouldn't do this.
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English not being your native language, such mistakes in past tense verbs are understandable. Skepticism withdrawn.

It does stink. But they have to stop people who think they can safely unlock. A crushing blow is about the only way to do that. And some people are going to get bricked. That new firmware will hit tomorrow and some unlockers will have yet to read Apple's announcement. They'll say you can't say we didn't warn you even though the eleventh hour timing will be intentional: Some people have to get bricked to get the point across.
 
sidragon said:
Apple has the right to protect their intellectual property, you nor anyone else has the "right" to do anything with it beyond terms of service.
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Exactly what "intellectual property" are they protecting?
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What the poster hopefully meant was that Apple was exercising their property rights by closing "holes in the fence" and exercising their prerogative in developing a new version of the firmware code.

you do have the right to dispose of your property as you see fit, and that includes everything from unlocking your cell phone to modifying your car such that its engine burns biodiesel.
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Ah, but there's the rub. Unlike the parts of your engine, none of the iPhone code is your property. You are given permission to unlock the handset specifically because doing so would otherwise be an infringement on Apple's rights. It does not follow from that rationale that you can do anything else with the code.

The rationale you're actually reaching for is personal use which is certainly workable so long as you're not distributing or interfering with commercial interests.
Do not confuse property rights, intellectual or otherwise and relevant or not to this discussion, with the fact that Apple has no obligation to support your exercise of those rights.
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Absolutely. Your right to unlock your phone does not extend to a right to bar Apple from fixing the hole.
 
Warped1 said:
If you buy a Ford are you forced to only fill it up at Exxon?
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Youd have valid point if they didnt tell you before you purchased it that you had to fill up at Exxon. I mean the only fill up at Exxon sticker is plastered all over the car.:rolleyes: If you dont like it, dont buy that car.
 
sanford said:
English not being your native language, such mistakes in past tense verbs are understandable. Skepticism withdrawn.

It does stink. But they have to stop people who think they can safely unlock. A crushing blow is about the only way to do that. And some people are going to get bricked. That new firmware will hit tomorrow and some unlockers will have yet to read Apple's announcement. They'll say you can't say we didn't warn you even though the eleventh hour timing will be intentional: Some people have to get bricked to get the point across.
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Unfortunately thats true but I don't think it will come out tomorrow. Probably Wednesday or Thursday because Apple wants to make sure this message has been grokked.

;)
 
I feel no pity towards the people that do not read the disclaimer before they click the "OK" (I wonder if it's Approve or Deny on Vista) when they put this on their iPhones. I would never put a 3rd party's software on my 500$ iPhone. Seems like people are just in too big of a rush to switch.

If you can afford to buy an iPhone, I think you can survive paying AT&T's outrageous pricing on everything.

It's like the people that put Linux on the iPod Videos. It's downright disgusting
 
technicolor said:
Youd have valid point if they didnt tell you before you purchased it that you had to fill up at Exxon. I mean the only fill up at Exxon sticker is plastered all over the car.:rolleyes: If you dont like it, dont buy that car.
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that would be an unenforceable term of the contract.
 
aapl.jlo said:
If you can afford to buy an iPhone, I think you can survive paying AT&T's outrageous pricing on everything.
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That's a pretty broad statement. AT&T's outrageous pricing more than doubles the cost of the iPhone. So no, if you can afford the iPhone, you can't necessarily afford the contract.
 
sananda said:
that would be an unenforceable term of the contract.
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Well good thing we arent talking about cars then right. On the iPhone it is and everyone had the same information at the time of purchase. There is a sticker on the back the box clear as day as to what is required for the phone. :rolleyes:
 
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