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View Full Version : Apple Disables Hacked IPhones


VoltiSubito
09-29-2007, 09:34 PM
http://story.news.ask.com//article/20070929/D8RV2D680.html

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Apple Inc. (AAPL) has issued a software update that creates problems for iPhones modified to work with a cellular carrier other than AT&T Inc. (ATT) and disables at least some unofficial programs installed on other iPhone handsets.

Apple warned earlier this week that the iPhone update - which adds access to the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store and fixes some security flaws - could permanently disable phones running programs that untether phones from its exclusive partner's network.

Several gadget enthusiast Web sites, including Gizmodo and Engadget, as well as online postings from hacker communities reported that, depending on which unlocking program was used, certain modified phones no longer worked after they installed Thursday's software update. In some cases, the phones worked, but only with the original SIM card that ties the phone to AT&T.

Some sites also reported uncondoned third-party applications on the iPhones became disabled after the update.

Some hackers had characterized Apple's warning as "a scare tactic." Despite Apple's history of playing cat-and-mouse games with hackers in the past, company officials insisted they were "not proactively" trying to make hacked iPhones useless.

It was unclear how many iPhone owners had unlocked their phones, but the programs - including several that can be downloaded for free - appeared to be particularly popular with European consumers. Apple isn't selling the iPhone or initiating the service in Europe until November, so the unlocking software allowed Europeans who bought iPhones in the United States to use the $399 devices.

Installing Apple's latest iPhone update is optional.

It's official. You do not really own the electronics you buy. Can you imagine this in any other market?

Don't convert your new car to run on hydrogen, or else the next time you take it in for repairs the mechanics will lock the doors and make your keys useless.

This is why I'm waiting for the openmoko:

http://www.openmoko.com/

Shameless
09-29-2007, 09:38 PM
Well, Apple made a big deal about how if you make any alterations which were not sanctioned by Apple, they were not liable if it stopped working. At least they warned the people...

kazuri
09-29-2007, 09:39 PM
It's official. You do not really own the electronics you buy. Can you imagine this in any other market?

That's not true. It clearly says you do not have to update. and for that matter, there are a lot of things that if you modify, you void the warranty.

Dont get me wrong tho, Im all for people being able to do whatever they want with their stuff, but companies doing this type of thing is definetly not new.

and i seriously doubt hackers wont find a new way to do the same thing.

VoltiSubito
09-29-2007, 09:48 PM
That's not true. It clearly says you do not have to update. and for that matter, there are a lot of things that if you modify, you void the warranty.

True. Although at the moment I can only think of electronics that applies to... but I'm sure it applies to other things. However, voiding the warranty is quite a bit different than disabling the device altogether.

I know that you don't have to update the software... even though the software updates fix flaws that were in the original release... still I really don't like how these companies bully people into exclusive contracts (like say... AT&T)

You'll have to excuse me... I may be a bit irrational about this. This is one of those things that really gets under my skin.

scavenger
09-30-2007, 02:37 AM
I say there's no point - someone will inevitably figure out how to hack it regardless. Is it legal for such a person to sell his hacking services? That would be awesome.

joric
09-30-2007, 03:36 AM
Why is apple doing this? If I buy something I can do whatever I like.

rand0m
09-30-2007, 06:44 AM
You signed a contract with Apple when you bought the phone, you mess with the phone you brake the contract.

Kazimierz
09-30-2007, 01:50 PM
Just don't update i guess. It's like the game consoles. I remember with the PSP i couldn't do any updates, because i had firmware 1.5, and updating would cost my ability to use homebrew.

It's pretty lame, but they're just trying to protect their and AT&T's profits. And really, the iPhone itself is pretty lame, so is Apple. So what's the surprise here?

Burningnun
09-30-2007, 03:35 PM
I say there's no point - someone will inevitably figure out how to hack it regardless. Is it legal for such a person to sell his hacking services? That would be awesome.
There was a legal dispute as to whether it is legal to sell 'hack kits.' It is certainly legal to hack the phone.

There is a ray of hope though. The Meizu M8 is supposedly going to be just like the iPhone except cheaper and not shit.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/mobile-devices/news/2007/01/30/Meizu-M8-iPhone-2-0/p1

drahkcorjc
09-30-2007, 07:08 PM
Has Apple truly forgotten their roots? Steve Jobs started out in California fucking around with home computer kits. The only reason we have computers as we know them today is because he and his hacker buddies configured electronics to do things they weren't intended to do.

scavenger
09-30-2007, 07:51 PM
Has Apple truly forgotten their roots? Steve Jobs started out in California fucking around with home computer kits. The only reason we have computers as we know them today is because he and his hacker buddies configured electronics to do things they weren't intended to do.

Though one could argue that he is encouraging us to develop the skill to hack it despite the update.

There was a legal dispute as to whether it is legal to sell 'hack kits.' It is certainly legal to hack the phone.

But would it be legal for someone to say "Hey, send me $20 and your iPhone and I'll hack it for you"? Or to directly sell hacked iPhones? I'm pretty sure the latter is illegal, but the former...?

drahkcorjc
09-30-2007, 08:02 PM
Though one could argue that he is encouraging us to develop the skill to hack it despite the update.


Touché, sir. Touché...