Apple finally weighs in on iPhone hacks, unlocking

Merely three days after hearing of one user's run-in with Apple over his unlocked iPhone, the company has released an official statement warning users that "unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs" could cause "irreparable damage to the iPhone's software." Furthermore, the firm stated that these apps could result in the handset becoming "permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed" -- you know, like the one coming "later this week" that includes the iTunes WiFi Music Store. As if that wasn't bad enough, the release also notes that "unauthorized modifications to the iPhone's software" violates the iPhone software license agreement and "voids the warranty." Ouch.

[Via MacNN]

[BWhaler @ Sep 24th 2007 6:34PM]

Did you forget about the secret update Microsoft did TWO WEEKS AGO to every single copy of Windows in the wild.

The one which over-rode user preferences?

Listen, I hate locking phones, AT&T, big company bulls1t as much as the next guy, but trying to make Microsoft into the good guys is just crazy.

Microsoft is still the biggest bunch of scumbags out there. I am certainly no Apple fanboi, and I don't trust any big company to do anything but screw everyone to make as much money as they can, but Microsoft is dirt merchants. It's in their culture and DNA.

Surely your memory is longer than two weeks.

[John @ Sep 24th 2007 8:20PM]

I don't find updating my update software particularly evil or nefarious. Yes, I don't like that they can change anything on my computer without my consent, but I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. This is Apple claiming you can cause "irreparable damage" to their SOFTWARE. You know, the stuff that can just be copied back over. When you manage to "irreparably damage" a software program, you will have astounded me beyond words.

[Greenwave @ Sep 24th 2007 6:05PM]

eh if they gonna try to break my phone then i just wont update.....im good without d/l the iTunes wireless store b/c i havent bought music in over 10 years anyways

[Barry @ Sep 24th 2007 6:05PM]

Wow, Apple. Thanks for helping me decide not to get an iPhone.

[Steve D. @ Sep 24th 2007 6:25PM]

Welcome to the club.

[Argot @ Sep 24th 2007 6:26PM]

Yeah. Good luck trying to sell that POS here in Europe.

[G @ Sep 24th 2007 6:06PM]

Apple, bring it to Canada so we don't have to go through all of this mess. It's about time. At least give us a date or something. We've waited long enough.

[john @ Sep 24th 2007 6:25PM]

Too late to bring it to Canada with overpriced Rogers plans.

Screw you apple.

[dynamicD @ Sep 24th 2007 6:06PM]

What I really like about this is, Apple will make firmware update with very hard to resist. I don't have a iphone yet but, by the time 3G and GPS is added, it'll have some much packed into I won't care to hack it....keep up the good work everyone!

[Andrew Stone @ Sep 24th 2007 6:24PM]

I'm not sure if your comments are trying to claim they can do this, or if you are just saying you are waiting till iPhone 2.0, but...

They definitely can NOT add GPS or 3G via a firmware update. Even the biggest bandwidth in the world will not allow you to download a GPS reciever.

Or maybe i'm reading what you are saying wrong. Sorry.

You know what a firmware update COULD add, that would be nice? Streaming from the iPod portion of the phone to an Airport. My computer does it... my phone has wifi... why not? How sick would it be to control your stereo from your pocket at a party?

[Ruben @ Sep 24th 2007 9:33PM]

Or maybe, they will discover that too many people are avoiding the iPod touch to get the iPhone, and eliminate the ability to shuffle songs on the iPhone, or perhaps remove the ability to fast forward or rewind a movie, so it doesnt take market share from the iPod Touch.

and also remember, with every firmware update, and every application they add, a little bit of memory somewhere in your iPhone screams as it becomes occupied by the Plastic Fist Of The Whites.

[kloan @ Sep 24th 2007 6:08PM]

I think the bigger problem is that people who have unlocked phones generally are outside the US and are going to get F***** with the update, if it's true and it does brick unlocked iPhones.. that's going to royally suck.

If it does, they obviously did it on purpose.. though the way they're wording it suggests it's a co-incidence... pff.

All this BS for what, VISUAL VOICEMAIL?? Come on.... was it really worth it?? I don't miss it, AT ALL. That's the only reason they teamed up with AT&T, that and unlimited data plans. SO WHAT? Look how many people want UNLOCKED iPhones!!! I agree, they should've done that to begin with.

[Magnus_Z @ Sep 24th 2007 8:17PM]

I don't really see how they can brick someone phone and not get sued. Unlocking is legal. I bought the phone legally, I unlocked it legally why could they just brick my phone?

They can stop to support it or void the warranty but not brick it.

The DMCA *explicitly* exclude unlocking a phone as illegal.

[Duane @ Sep 24th 2007 6:09PM]

That's it, Mr. Jobs, you stick it to those Phone Phreakers! What with their unauthorized use of phone technology. Say, did you and the Woz have any interesting hobbies before starting your company?

[PhilJ @ Sep 24th 2007 6:14PM]

Thanks for the laugh Duane, that was pretty good. I don't know if I'd call unlocking a style of phreaking, but good enough for me!

[alexare @ Sep 24th 2007 6:09PM]

Likelihood: Will the firmware update be voluntary ala Software Update (where an update package is manually downloaded and installed) or silent and compulsory ala when Apple spontaneously upgraded everyone's phone during the keynote a while back?

[John M @ Sep 24th 2007 6:10PM]

I have a question-- If you restore your iphone to factory settings can apple know if you ever installed hacks? Also, if you have restored can a future iphone update effect your iphone? Probably seems like dumb questions but im not quite good on the whole hackery..hence why i had to use apptapp

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 24th 2007 7:03PM]

I'm guessing no. not if you do a full restore and wipe the thing. it wasn't designed 'yet' to keep track of such things.
what the next update 'might' do is change how the iphone connects to pc/mac. the itouch requests, rather than receives, which is why it hasn't been hacked yet, it's harder to do anyhting, but it doesn't take orders... iphone 1.1.1? whatever it is, might do that to stop people as well

[Big John @ Sep 24th 2007 6:11PM]

Anyone who didn't see this coming a mile away is insane.

[Kas @ Sep 24th 2007 6:15PM]

qft

[Xzavier @ Sep 24th 2007 9:45PM]

I agree... All of that damn hype that Apple pumps out ended up producing a bunch of cry babies!

Apples next update to the iPhone should include a pacifier. That might keep them quiet!

:D

[Fred @ Sep 24th 2007 6:14PM]

Some people just don't get it. 1. Apple is not out to take care of you. They create products that we like because they know that by creating a good product they will make money, and repeat customers. 2. Apple signed an exclusivity deal with AT&T in order to get them to allow Apple to develop features like "visual voicemail" and to bring the device that Apple wanted to make to market. Don't you think that Apple would open up the iPhone to everyone if they could? You are directing your anger at the guys that are trying to do what they've always done which is do away the business as usual crap on the customer business model that the cellphone industry has, and that all the other industries Apple has touched have had. Look at the record companies! They are starting their death throws because of what Apple, and a few others (I know Apple didn't create the MP3 player or digital distribution) have done. Think a little bit here guys, sometimes you have to work within the framework of the existing system in order to change it. Be patient.

[schlomo @ Sep 24th 2007 6:14PM]

Apple:
"If you hacked your iPhone, don't update to 1.1.x"
Hackers:
"Okay. We'll have 1.1.x hacked in a month."

End of story.

[Argot @ Sep 24th 2007 6:37PM]

Until BANG compulsory update. Ooops.

[schlomo @ Sep 24th 2007 7:03PM]

you obviously have no experience with Apple products. there is no such thing as a "compulsory update" with ANYTHING.
we can also use Little Snitch to block the update port or just NOT plug in the iPhone - we can SSH or SFTP anything we need onto it.

[Argot @ Sep 24th 2007 8:11PM]

Read: alexare @ Sep 24th 2007 6:09PM

[schlomo @ Sep 24th 2007 8:38PM]

apple never did such thing.
and if they did, we're not on AT&T, so I don't think we'll get it seeing as how apple doesn't work with T-Mo :D

[Martin Trautmann @ Sep 25th 2007 5:29AM]

> you obviously have no experience with Apple products. there is no such thing as a "compulsory update" with ANYTHING.

It was optional for Apple Computers - but now we got Apple Inc. Times are changing.

Maybe M$ is not the best example - but they did a hidden update on their software recently AGAIN, which people found out who monitor software updates carefully.

[john @ Sep 24th 2007 6:17PM]

Statements from the dictator..

Apple is up to it's old elitism games. You know - the kind that let MS take over the desktop market..morons.

It's clear that Apple does NOT want to play nice and does NOT want to give users any flexibility with their 'phone'.
No sdk, no Java, no unlocking, no, no, no.

If Apple wants to play dictator let them screw themselves.
Leave their junk on the shelves.

I've had enough of their attitude problems.

[BWhaler @ Sep 24th 2007 6:27PM]

So Microsoft, Palm, etc., sell their devices unlocked and let you use them with whatever carrier you want here in the USA?

No?

Thanks for playing.

I certainly am no Apple apologist, and hate the concept of locking devices, but EVERYONE does it here in the US. Sucks, but it's true, so spare us your trite Apple hating...

[john @ Sep 24th 2007 6:31PM]

yeah yeah point taken about unlocked phones.. zzz You can get them unlocked without reprisal..

The point is apple are being pricks.

[L. M. Lloyd @ Sep 25th 2007 4:02AM]

@ BWhaler

You really are ignorant, aren't you? Yes, in fact HTC (Microsoft neither makes nor sells phones) and Palm, and the other phone manufacturers do in fact sell unlocked phones you can use on any network that their radio supports. Furthermore, you can hack, unlock, and otherwise tinker with your phone all you want, and none of the phone manufacturers will do anything to stop you, or brick your phone. They are selling you a phone, and don't really care what you do with it.

Please, will you Apple apologists stop trying to pretend that if Apple doesn't allow something, then that must be the norm. HTC, RIM, Palm, Nokia, Motorola, all are available either from the factory unlocked, or can be unlocked without repercussions. If you think Apple's behavior is normal, then you are dead wrong.

[Herbert Neal @ Sep 24th 2007 6:18PM]

Only a fool would spend $600 on a overhyped PDA phone and has to hack it just to make it usable.

SUCKERS !!!!!!!

[Shaka @ Sep 24th 2007 6:25PM]

Am I a fool if I spent only 300

[Fred @ Sep 24th 2007 6:26PM]

400

[john @ Sep 24th 2007 6:27PM]

I don't remember hearing nothing to "NO" from others like RIM etc.
Apple's main goal in life is to restrict you, while others tend to 'enable' you.
Isn't the 'enabling' idea why you buy a freak'n device like this in the first place?

[Herbert Neal @ Sep 24th 2007 6:28PM]

I'm sorry to hear that guys.
I'll pray for you all.

[MR @ Sep 24th 2007 6:29PM]

Sour grapes? Can't stand people having money to burn?

Admit it. If you had the money, you'd be one of the "SUCKERS" yourself.

[PSM @ Sep 24th 2007 6:33PM]

The last three phones I've owned have all had to be hacked in some way to deliver the features I wanted, which were removed by carriers. The iPhone would have been no different to me, I just had to wait until the hackers got around to it. They've been moving so quickly, I was almost at the point where I would feel comfortable buying one, especially since Apple wasn't showing signs of blocking hacks.

But then Apple started their saber-rattling, and now I'm afraid that if I bought the phone on the basis of hacked functionality, there's a good chance of losing necessary features in the future. I really hope that now that the iPhone has established itself, Apple will make the next version independent of the carriers so they can get back to releasing products to make their consumers happy, not just the executives at AT&T.

[MR @ Sep 24th 2007 6:25PM]

I really don't see anything wrong about Apple's announcement. Sure it sucks that they tie the iphone to AT&T. But since you've hacked the phone, how the hell can they guarantee that your phone will still work after a firmware upgrade?
The bottom line is that if you want the phone hacked, then go ahead. Just don't upgrade the firmware until the hacking community confirms that it works. What's so hard to do here?

[Scott @ Sep 24th 2007 6:34PM]

Only Fred is right. If anybody remembers back to the iPhone pre-release days, Apple had all the cell phone carriers bid for having iphone exclusivity. Why? Have you seen a verizon phone these days? they flash their own bios and have their own services in order to make money. T-mobile only has T-mobile hot-spot, no broadband network to my knowledge. Apple wants to release a product that does what apple wants, not what cell phone companies want. If you think Apple is consumer "unfriendly" because of this, open up your mind to the fact that Apple would make TONS more money if they opened the iPhone to every cell phone carrier. More cell phone carreirs = more market penetration. They chose AT&T because ATT would give in to Apple's demands plus whehter you like to admit it or not, ATT is the largest phone carrier in the nation. It only makes sense.

[saq @ Sep 24th 2007 6:35PM]

I see this as a big boom to windows mobile marketshare. Casual iPhone users who want to use custom programs are eventually going to get screwed and hear about Windows Mobile and its near-decade long history of tons of microsoft-encouraged custom made programs. Oh, and there are hardware keyboards too!

[deniz @ Sep 24th 2007 7:03PM]

yeah im sure that is going to happen.

[paldiel @ Sep 24th 2007 6:35PM]

Don't believe this nonsense, Apple is just trying to play nice with ATT. Your phone will not become bricked. I unlocked my phone and it works 100% minus the visual voice mail. Nobody can defeat the hackers and the power of millions of people who want' an unlocked phone. Hackers will always find a way to unlock the Iphone no matter what update apple can throw at us. The Iphone is a machine that runs on SOFTWARE. Hackers will always create software to manipulate any security feature the Iphone might have. When a new update comes out do not accept it, wait for the green light from the hacking community, their will be plenty of people with unlimited resources to check if the update effects the unlocked phones. If the phone gets locked again after an update rest assure a new hack is around the corner.

[Herbert Neal @ Sep 24th 2007 6:36PM]

I have the money, I just don't have any need in buying a overpriced Shiny PDA phone. I'm quite happy with my $100 prepaid T-mobile phone. I use it maybe once a month.

[John M @ Sep 24th 2007 6:58PM]

thats cuz nobody loves you and nobody cares..nobody owes you a thing

[Herbert Neal @ Sep 24th 2007 7:08PM]

Hahaha You're right I feel so sad now. I'm going out right now to make friends and then I'll buy a iphone and show it off like a jackass.

[Dale @ Sep 24th 2007 6:37PM]

Don't buy apple. Simple.

[dynamicD @ Sep 24th 2007 6:40PM]

Oh no, I mean by adding 3G and GPS, I mean iPhone 2.0. yeah I know it's hardware...

Apple will be adding all these cool features making people not want to hack their phones. Making it a very nice iphone 2.0 for the future. Of couse I'll wait the mandatory 2 months for the $200 "nerd free" discount.

Man...some of you guys got it right...Apple is the new Microsoft.

[Fred @ Sep 24th 2007 7:35PM]

AAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!! WHY ARE YOU SO STUPID?!?! MS isn't even the MS that everybody thinks they are. Please go read a book or something! Might I suggest "Fire in the Valley"? And if Apple is turning into MS, and then by that logic Jobs is turning into Gates, then good, Gates is the biggest philanthropist on the planet.