Apple Modifies Boot ROM on Revised iPhone 3GS Models to Hinder Jailbreaking

[MacRumors]

iClarified reports that Apple has apparently recently made a slight update to its shipping iPhone 3GS models, deploying an updated boot ROM that does not allow the exploit typically used to jailbreak the devices to be employed.

The iBoot-359.3.2 started to ship last week. A screenshot posted by Mathieulh shows the new version number.

MuscleNerd from the iPhone Dev-Team has confirmed that the loss of the 24kpwn exploit would mean a normal jailbreak would be impossible for the time being.

While previous iPhone hardware and software updates have temporarily squashed jailbreaking tools, this apparently marks the first time that Apple has quietly changed the boot ROM on devices in production to address the issue.

Jailbreaking iPhones and iPod touches allows them to run applications and access features that have not been authorized by Apple, and has also allowed users to pirate iPhone applications. Recent data from mobile advertising firm Pinch Media reveals that it has seen nearly four million jailbroken devices on its ad network, with 38% of those using at least one pirated application. Among iPhone applications that have been cracked and made available for pirating, Pinch Media notes that about a third of the total installations of those applications are pirated copies.

Article Link: Apple Modifies Boot ROM on Revised iPhone 3GS Models to Hinder Jailbreaking

 

[840quadra]

It is an interesting game of Cat and Mouse Apple is having with these groups unlocking / jailbreaking these things.

I really wish Apple used more of the potential the iPod and iPhone have, but I also understand that they need a stable and secure platform. Hard balancing act!

 

[bbplayer5]

If they finally do block it for good, ill move to verizon because AT&T is flat out horrible. Storm 2 doesnt look all that bad.

 

[ELScorcho9]

This isn't very surprising.....of course mine isn't jailbroken so I'm not really affected. But it sucks for those 4 million other users....

 

[Cask]

This isn't very surprising.....of course mine isn't jailbroken so I'm not really affected. But it sucks for those 4 million other users....

For us current users it won't matter, but new users won't be happy.

 

[DipDog3]

I guess it is time to find a new hole to exploit.

It never fails that a new one is found in time.

 

[xhambonex]

If they finally do block it for good, ill move to verizon because AT&T is flat out horrible. Storm 2 doesnt look all that bad.

Or better yet the Android device: HTC Desire and Moto Sholes.

But really this started out as a way around the at&t lock, but now you can get just about any app for free and have them work just fine.

I personally love the Gb emulator, its just too bad they can't release real versions. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes the Dev Team this time.

 

[whooleytoo]

Anything which stops/hinders app piracy is ok in my book.

 

[Willis]

On the flip side, 3GS models which don't have the updated boot rom will go up in value purely for this function.

Interesting nevertheless. Apple will always try and keep the pirates at bay

 

[QCassidy352]

Ugh, stupid app pirates ruining it for people who just want some customization.

 

[840quadra]

Anything which stops/hinders app piracy is ok in my book.

I agree with that, however I also like the variety provided by applications exclusively created for jailbroken systems, applications which Apple rejects.

 

[TBi]

Anything which stops/hinders app piracy is ok in my book.

I use this to get an unlocked phone. So i don't have to deal with bloody O2 (they just ripped me off of 50 euro credit). Not to mention VOIP over 3G, backgrounder so i can run skype in the background while i do other things, SBSettings to allow me easily switch on and off 3G/Wi-Fi.

People don't just hack their iPhone for Piracy reasons, there are many legal uses of the jailbreak. This lockdown just cuts down on peoples options, which is a bad thing.

 

[chrono1081]

Anything which stops/hinders app piracy is ok in my book.

+1. It does suck for the people with jailbroken / unlocked iPhones but app piracy is rediculous. Apps for the most part are CHEAP and people don't realize how hard it is to make something like a videogame until theyve actually done it. Seeing your sales slip away on something you slaved 6+ months on is depressing.

 

[Homerpalooza]

Matter of time when they shut the Hackintosh crowd down too. After seeing the counterfeits coming out of China, Apple really does need to stop the piracy in some way. They've been generous so far and all those with "Jailbroken" iPhone users should feel that way. Like APPLE doesn't require 25 digit hex license crap when installing Snow Leopard. Yet.

 

[macslayer118]

I'm so glad I got my 3GS on Saturday! I really had no idea that app piracy was so prevelant with JB phones. I've been JB since the 1st gen and have never seen anything regarding piracy.

 

[TBi]

Wouldn't it be great if apple offered a middle road.

An option for people to install applications not "verified" by apple. Using direct links. That way people can get most of what they want without all the piracy stuff.

That along with an unlock for phones would take away 90% of the reasons why people jailbreak.

 

[Sky Blue]

Good for them, it's about time.

 

[Farplaner]

Shutting down piracy is definitely a good thing, but to the original apps that went to Cydia because Apple rejected them... not so good.

I would be okay with this if Apple's app approval process isn't so ridiculous.

 

[notjustjay]

I'm OK with Apple cracking down on pirates and fixing exploits. After all, the whole concept of a jailbreak is to find software holes which are big enough to let you run your own code. Whenever this happens on OS X, everyone gets in a big huff about the whole "Mac viruses/trojans" angle. Yet when this happens on the iPhone, we quietly praise the developers of the exploits (the jailbreak teams).

However, I hope Apple realizes that there are good reasons why people are jailbreaking, and listens to its customers for feedback, so we can have an "authorized" way to customize our iPhones and legitimate stuff like that.

 

[Unspoken Demise]

We wouldnt toast to be pirated.

Good for Apple. Im non-JB so I dont care.

 

[TBi]

It's weird... people went crazy when Palladium came out and promised to lock down PC's using DRM. Meaning you could only install "signed" programs. If MS didn't want you installing iTunes then you couldn't. Imagine the uproar if that came true...

Apple do this to the iPhone and everyone is cheering them on. Now personally i like the idea of the App Store. A good safe place for people to get programs without worry of viruses. However there should be an option to install programs that Apple doesn't like. Just like you're free to install anything you want on a PC.

 

[bbplayer5]

The people in this thread saying "good" are just flat out wrong.

Not everyone uses jailbreaking to pirate software. personally, I use it to make life easier - Adding a calendar to my home screen, theming my springboard, making my connections easier to control, allowing me to run programs in the background, etc..

There are a lot of amazing uses for jailbreaking and its sad to see that a few idiots are going to destroy it by stealing software.

 

[Unspoken Demise]

Wait a minute.
Now I can sell my current 3GS and market it as a model that can be jailbroken, mark it up, then buy a new phone, seeing as I dont care about JB. Awesome.

 

[whooleytoo]

I agree with that, however I also like the variety provided by applications exclusively created for jailbroken systems, applications which Apple rejects.

I use this to get an unlocked phone. So i don't have to deal with bloody O2 (they just ripped me off of 50 euro credit). Not to mention VOIP over 3G, backgrounder so i can run skype in the background while i do other things, SBSettings to allow me easily switch on and off 3G/Wi-Fi.

People don't just hack their iPhone for Piracy reasons, there are many legal uses of the jailbreak. This lockdown just cuts down on peoples options, which is a bad thing.

If there were a jailbreak solution which offered these features/3rd party apps; without also enabling app piracy (if there isn't one already?), I'd be 100% with you.

But as long as jailbreaking enables piracy, I think this is a good move on Apple's part. The apps are good, they're incredibly cheap and the DRM is an unobtrusive as I've seen.

 

[star-fish]

+1. It does suck for the people with jailbroken / unlocked iPhones but app piracy is rediculous. Apps for the most part are CHEAP and people don't realize how hard it is to make something like a videogame until theyve actually done it. Seeing your sales slip away on something you slaved 6+ months on is depressing.

Just because someone's pirated an app doesn't necessarily mean that the developer has lost a sale. If it wasn't pirated the person might not have bought it anyway.

And I'm sure most people consider things they can't do/have no knowledge of to be hard.

Don't see it as purely sales-based: think of the value it adds to your resume and how you can use apps to promote yourself and your skills. A get rich quick scheme it's not.