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

[Rodimus Prime]

I think "cripples" is a bit dramatic - you can still call, txt, send MMS, email, browse the web, buy & play music, buy & use thousands of apps, watch videos, view maps & use GPS etc. etc. A crippled iPhone is still far better than any previous phone I used.

But I do get what you're saying - jailbreaking (for customising/adding functionality) could be distinct from piracy. Apple has always liked to exert a LOT of control over the products it sells (the original Mac was seen as an appliance with all the apps you'd need); and the iPhone is no different. Perhaps, we'll see that change over time, but Apple has never really been an industry leader in giving end-users expansion/customisation options.

It may change over time as the iPhone evolves; but not much, I reckon.

I think that lack of customization was one of the first downfall of apples past and I think will cause the iPhone to loses its edge. Multiple other phones are coming on the market now that are taking away the advantages the iPhone has. Right now it has an edge but since the iphone release nothing really as change. Minus the compos all the other features added were catch up features (teathering, MMS, voice control, hell even copy paste) Those features are all on dumb phones already and on all the other smart phones. The iPhone still lacks multitasking and is the ONLY smart phone that lacks it.

Apple control freak will be its undoing.

 

[fifthworld]

Multiple other phones are coming on the market now that are taking away the advantages the iPhone has. Right now it has an edge but since the iphone release nothing really as change. Minus the compos all the other features added were catch up features (teathering, MMS, voice control, hell even copy paste) Those features are all on dumb phones already and on all the other smart phones. The iPhone still lacks multitasking and is the ONLY smart phone that lacks it.

Not really, you're not considering the UI as being the real innovation of iPhone. UI is where Apple will have an edge for very, very long time, and that's way I hate Apple for unnecessarily–it's just the controlling culture there–crippling it's own platform.

 

[Goona]

The iphone multitasks just not with 3rd party apps, so whoever wrote that nonsense needs to retract.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

The iphone multitasks just not with 3rd party apps, so whoever wrote that nonsense needs to retract.

I think that is the point.
The iPhone can not multitask or has a lovely Apple side lock on it.

Boy got to love the fanboys who come out defending apple on this one. That excuse is does not even make it to weak.

 

[Goona]

I think that is the point.
The iPhone can not multitask or has a lovely Apple side lock on it.

Boy got to love the fanboys who come out defending apple on this one. That excuse is does not even make it to weak.

Gotta love clueless people who don't know what they are talking about.

 

[Hmac]

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.

Storm 2 is horrible according to my Verizon rep.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Not really, you're not considering the UI as being the real innovation of iPhone. UI is where Apple will have an edge for very, very long time, and that's way I hate Apple for unnecessarily–it's just the controlling culture there–crippling it's own platform.

oh I have conseder that fact and it still goes back to the same point.

I have seen multiple other UI on other phones start similar to what the iPhone uses. You have android were you can go between multiple screens with apps. Pre you can as well. the iPhone edge is quickly falling apart. yes it has one now but look down the road others are going to adapt and apple well it will be playing catch up by adding features that should of been on the phone a long time. I already pointed out all the features added since day one are things everyone else already had (minus compose) back on day one.

Strip away the Apple name and the iPhone starts looking less special and you start seeing it is losing its edge on the other phones.

 

[haruhiko]

The iphone multitasks just not with 3rd party apps, so whoever wrote that nonsense needs to retract.

According to your logic, a 5-year-old Sony Ericsson dumb 'walkman' phone also multitasks. You can listen to music when you text.

 

[Goona]

According to your logic, a 5-year-old Sony Ericsson dumb 'walkman' phone also multitasks. You can listen to music when you text.

So what is your point, go and look up the definition of multitasking and stop being clueless.

 

[firewood]

I think the point is blocking piracy cripples the iPhone.

Certainly. Increased Boot ROM and OS security cripples the iPhone from having an increased risk of malware, rootkits, botnets, keyloggers and other potential user privacy problems of a widely popular always-on networked platform.

Plus it probably helps increase Apple's enterprise sales and App store profits.

 

[firewood]

According to your logic, a 5-year-old Sony Ericsson dumb 'walkman' phone also multitasks. You can listen to music when you text.

And if you were to ask a computer science professor to look into the OS kernel(s) running on that dumb phone, he would find a multi-tasking kernel.

Please learn what the technical terms you use actually mean.

 

[bruinsrme]

The iphone multitasks just not with 3rd party apps, so whoever wrote that nonsense needs to retract.

other than playing music in the background what other multitasking is the iphone capable of. I haven't noticed any other feature that does it without terminating the other program.

get a text the other program seem to shut down.
Phone call other program seem to close.

any examples you can share

 

[VoR]

Certainly. Increased Boot ROM and OS security cripples the iPhone from having an increased risk of malware, rootkits, botnets, keyloggers and other potential user privacy problems of a widely popular always-on networked platform.

You'd be saying the same thing if osx decided to lock down all software to approved apps on a single website? Or would you be complaining about the lack of flexibility on the platform, which is quite clearly the point people are trying to make.

So what is your point, go and look up the definition of multitasking and stop being clueless.

Seriously?.... Why do you bother? Do you honestly think that ignoring what someone is actually saying and (seriously?) thinking that you're tripping them up on a technicality is going to make yourself/your favourite IT company (...) look any better?

 

[Rodimus Prime]

So what is your point, go and look up the definition of multitasking and stop being clueless.

so your entire argument is a play on words.

You know what the argument is about multitasking yet you are playing on words.

To me that tells me you know you lost so now are going to BS your way out of it.

Ok the iPhone can not use multiple 3rd part apps. Something all the other smartphones on the market (and hell several dumb phones) can do.

 

[Lixivial]

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.

I'd be curious to know your stance on such things as VCRs, MP3 players, CD ripping software (such as iTunes itself), and CD/DVD burners. The same argument was made by the *IAA's regarding these technologies.

There's a strawman argument getting bantied about (perhaps not by you, in particular, but in general) that people who jailbreak are pre-teen pirates with an inflated sense of entitlement. Perhaps there are kids running around like this, but the overwhelming majority want choice. Certainly the people actually behind these efforts hold these views.

I think saurik sums it up best:

However, as time grew on, Apple's real stance on individual expression and "empowerment" in particular, became clear: they are staunchly against it. ...

This is why many of us (upwards of 10% of all iPhone users, in fact) "jailbreak" our devices: we want choice. We believe that Apple has maintained its lead as the best mobile hardware platform provider, and we encourage that innovation by purchasing not only their devices but also numerous applications from their App Store; but, and this is important: we want more.

You're correct that it's a good thing that this flaw is patched, but the "goodness" has nothing to do with curbing piracy -- it's about making the platform more secure. They're patching a security vulnerability. Though it remains curious why, exactly, they chose to do so for the 3GS exclusively, considering the 3G is also still on sale. Most rational people understand and expect Apple to exercise their rights over their platform, but that doesn't stop those of us pursuing jailbreaks from viewing the effort to overcome these challenges as being well worth it. We've already supported Apple in the form of a hardware purchase, and many of us continue to do so in the form of App Store purchases.

Simply because some people are pirating apps does not allow for a sweeping statement dismissing the other 100 legitimate uses.

 

[fifthworld]

Certainly. Increased Boot ROM and OS security cripples the iPhone from having an increased risk of malware, rootkits, botnets, keyloggers and other potential user privacy problems of a widely popular always-on networked platform.

It's funny you said that. Isn't Apple always making fun of Windows of being an OS prone to malware? So where this places the supposed intrinsically secure Mac OS X, on which the iPhone OS is based? Is Apple suddenly unable to develop a secure OS?

Plus it probably helps increase Apple's enterprise sales and App store profits.

How is that? Should an open platform, with all the iPhone functionalities accessible an no telecom lock, lead to more iPhones sales and more apps develop instead?

 

[Lara F]

The iphone multitasks just not with 3rd party apps, so whoever wrote that nonsense needs to retract.

I did state third party apps. The iPod's great and especially useful in the subway but are you *honestly* satisfied with being stuck on the Spotify (which will eventually hit the States), Pandora, Slacker, Last.FM, Sirius XM, Rhapsody, internet radio (of which there are dozens), or MLB at Bat app? Heck even Slingplayer can be backgrounded well on the 3GS which is nice for browsing the internet during commercials.

Those who don't care either don't use many third party apps or really don't know what they're missing. It takes away from the iPhone experience, pure and simple. Push notification is NOT an adequate solution, even for IM apps Beejive always disconnects on me.

 

[cloudblood84]

this is why i'm glad i have an open, mulittasking, non at&t palm pre

 

[Compile 'em all]

Anyone on this thread that thinks jailbreaking (aka gaining total control over "your" phone) is a bad thing doesn't really get it. Let alone what the community did to move things forward on the iPhone.

 

[samab]

Anyone on this thread that thinks jailbreaking (aka gaining total control over "your" phone) is a bad thing doesn't really get it. Let alone what the community did to move things forward on the iPhone.

It's a double edge sword that cuts both ways. I wouldn't want to use digital wallets on my cell phone if I jailbreak or third-party unlock my cell phone.

People who complain about PinchMedia's spyware because it gives out their iphone's unique ID are also the same people who post their GSM's phone IMEI number on various internet forums begging to get their GSM phones unlock.

"Control" over your phone is over-rated --- because it's like airplane accidents, it's most likely human errors. So you are going to jailbreak your phone by exploiting a security vulnerability, you are going to use outdated iphone OS because you can't update your jailbreak iphone, and face it, you are going to visit some porn sites with your iphone that are probably loaded with viruses and trojans --- now would you use digital wallets on your iphone.

 

[fifthworld]

I have seen multiple other UI on other phones start similar to what the iPhone uses. You have android were you can go between multiple screens with apps. Pre you can as well. the iPhone edge is quickly falling apart. yes it has one now but look down the road others are going to adapt and apple well it will be playing catch up by adding features that should of been on the phone a long time. I already pointed out all the features added since day one are things everyone else already had (minus compose) back on day one.

Strip away the Apple name and the iPhone starts looking less special and you start seeing it is losing its edge on the other phones.

Of course it is! But only if you compare today iPhone with tomorrow other smart phones. Do you think tomorrow there will not be also a new iPhone?

Look at the personal computer OSs: today Apple has Snow Leopard and Microsoft has Windows Vista. Yes, I know tomorrow–after 20+ year of trying to catch up–Microsoft will have Windows 7, probably the first Windows on par with Mac OS. But do you believe Apple is just resting? Why then Apple deployed Snow Leopard, the foundation for the new generation of OSs?

 

[fifthworld]

Anyone on this thread that thinks jailbreaking (aka gaining total control over "your" phone) is a bad thing doesn't really get it. Let alone what the community did to move things forward on the iPhone.

You right, they don't! Either is because of piracy, or because of security, or because of performances, or because of battery life, or because of business success, you name it.

IMO there isn't excuses for Apple not to deliver the best mobile platform they could, and deliver instead a crippled version of it. This is so last century: all about controlling information or the devices to do so. It's about time to move forward with a new paradigm Apple, you are getting old.

 

[azboricua]

To Apple: Stop worrying about us JBing and get the working on putting pressure on AT&T to get the tethering function enabled. Jesus Christ, the phone has 3 generations already and no tethering. WTF

 

[Goona]

other than playing music in the background what other multitasking is the iphone capable of. I haven't noticed any other feature that does it without terminating the other program.

get a text the other program seem to shut down.
Phone call other program seem to close.

any examples you can share

Browsing the web while on call, using mail while on call. Want me to think of more?

 

[Goona]

You'd be saying the same thing if osx decided to lock down all software to approved apps on a single website? Or would you be complaining about the lack of flexibility on the platform, which is quite clearly the point people are trying to make.



Seriously?.... Why do you bother? Do you honestly think that ignoring what someone is actually saying and (seriously?) thinking that you're tripping them up on a technicality is going to make yourself/your favourite IT company (...) look any better?

Why do you bother?