[Clayj @ Oct 8th 2007 4:50PM]

If you're an iPhone owner who DIDN'T hack your phone in any way and iPhone 1.1.1 bricked it, then you definitely have a valid complaint. But if you did hack it (jailbreak, SIM unlock, etc.), then I think you've pretty much voided your warranty. Apple should offer a means to restore the phone to factory spec and send you on your way.

I disagree that Apple should be required to sell unlocked phones... but if they do, I hope they charge accordingly and hang a "this is not supported" sign on the package.

[Jon @ Oct 8th 2007 4:56PM]

Why shouldn't they? Sim free phones are normal for the industry for people like me who hates to have phones that are tied to a network. It makes calling from my mobile phone cheaper when I am on holiday by simply inserting a pre paid sim card.

I guess Apple fanboys have too much money to blow.

[yoshi @ Oct 8th 2007 4:59PM]

Well, sort of, but not really. You have a valid complaint that your phone no longer works in the same way you would have a valid complaint if it stopped working for any other reason. Take it in to an Apple store and have it repaired or replaced. If you sell a million units of ANYTHING, you're going to get a few bad..apples.

For those that chose to fight the law (Apple), don't be surprised when the law wins.

[Derbeste @ Oct 8th 2007 5:34PM]

Jon,

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perspective), popularity or previous practices in an industry does not create law.

Therefore, it is not a valid reason to state they should be REQUIRED to sell unlocked phones. The ONLY reason that Apple should be REQUIRED to sell an unlocked phone is because market forces would put them out of business otherwise.

Does anyone really WANT the government involved in more things?

That being said, I do believe that even hacked, bricked phone users have as much of a complaint against Apple as non bricked users?

Why?

Because based on the number ratio of hacked and non-hacked phones that were bricked, it is obvious that hacking was not the cause of the bricking. I also do not believe that warranty should be a factor as it was Apples own actions that caused these phones to become inoperable.

Lawsuites aside, I think Apple should offer a way to restore functionality to ANY phone as a sign of good will toward the 3rd party app community. You just never want to make the mistake of thinking you are immune to market forces. You just don't want to risk any action that could put you on their bad side.

[zeebleoop @ Oct 8th 2007 7:25PM]

@ Derbeste

"I also do not believe that warranty should be a factor as it was Apples own actions that caused these phones to become inoperable."

I disagree. Warranty is most definitely a factor. If someone hacks their phone, they voided the phone's warranty. Apple stated this before they released the update. If one's phone is bricked and that person DIDN'T hack their phone, they have a valid warranty claim and should take it right to Apple.

I'm sure they'll be able to tell if a person has hacked the device or not, and if not, will fix it under the warranty.