Apple finally addresses iPhone unlock process
It’s been a long time coming, but Apple has finally stepped up and made an official public statement regarding the recent spate of iPhone unlocking that has swept the globe like a dark plague. Phil Schiller, the company’s head of worldwide marketing, had this to say about unlocked iPhones: "We are not doing anything proactively to disable iPhones that have been hacked or unlocked." All gravy, then, right? Not quite. The company has stated that the newiPhone firmware, due sometime this week, might render previously unlocked iPhones "permanently inoperable." Insofar as we can tell, most of the popular unlocking services are purely software based, so we’re not entirely sure how a firmware update would brick the device, but we suppose anything is possible. We certainly understand where Apple (as well as AT&T) is coming from, but from a consumer standpoint, this is very frustrating news. Whatever happened to consumer freedom, Mr. Jobs?
celluarconcepts.com in Florida is selling unlocked with notification of this being illegal and all the blah blah blah. Wait till next year when the 16gig and GPS model comes out
That will be unlocked in hours.
See everyone ppcmd is the perfect example to what should be done if you dont like what AT&T/Apple have to offer. Bravo!
Yea port over to TMO or Verizon
Another way of Apple controlling the mindless drones.
People are getting mad at Apple for claiming it will brick unlocked iphones, did they forget Apple and ATT have an exclusive contract for the next 5 years. Whatever they update in firmware will be to better optimize that contract thus bringing more revenue.
See this is another reason why I haven’t bought an iPhone yet…no customer freedom.
I simply need a phone that works in the US with an ATT sim card and overseas with a foreign sim card. At home, I use the iphone on att. But I want to use this same phone, not a substitute, on my travels (two weeks at a time every 3 months). This will force me to purchase another 4 gb iphone specifically to be used for travel (and unlocked- no updates) and retain my 8gb for domestic use in the US. Not a great solution, but obviously one I will have to pursue to avoid being stuck overseas with a useless phone…
I wonder if you would be less inclined to need this if AT&T supported UMA.
Here is a nice summary of this issue:
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2007/09/25/the-optimistpessimis.html
Okay, here’s what I want to know…
I have an unlocked iPhone.
HOW will this apparent update come about? Will it be via iTunes? Or will apple send the update directly to our phones?
Will we be able to deny the update?
Sorry jpMaxMan, I disagree. My experience is that CDMA sounds better. Consumer Reports, which ranked ATT well down in cusomer satisfaction, dropped calls, etc. Data is slow in most markets too. Consumer Reports rates VZW number one. Gartner rates VZW’s network best in US. As noted here by several people, your mileage may vary, but a blanket statement is not supportable.
Note, ATT hold a distinct advantage internationally.
JpMaxMan,
One only needs to compare carriers globally if you travel globally. I travel extensively in US. And while they are expensive and a pain, VZW does not let me down. I need coverage in the areas I frequent in the US, which was a problem with GSM carriers. How well they work in Paris does me no good if they do not work where I am standing.
ac`tullay th appl attagremmet dose break the law or very close 2 it thos leagl questions have to be asked
read up on slashdot
ha ha ha…
he said jerkoff….
ha ha ha
-db
i wish i had an iphone and a bb curve and a tilt and a n95 and…….
@JHP2
I was speaking domestically, as well as internationally. And, it just keeps getting better. I will fully admit that when I moved to NYC 5 years ago Verizon was by far the best. These days verizon in NYC drops calls constantly and you can barely get reception half the places. Whereas AT&T is just solid – there are several long time New Yorkers that have made the switch and they agree emphatically. I swear I don’t work for AT&T and in fact, stay away – more spectrum for me!! Muuwhahahahah!
@JPMaxMan
You’re an uneducated person. Please DON’T comment here again unless you KNOW what youre talking about.
@JHP2
Hah! That’s funny jack wad. I sincerely hope you’re not being serious.
These are all my personal experiences, maybe yours differ. Good for you. Be happy. : )
well att suxors down here in the pheonix metro area in the land of AZ
@ JPMaxMan Listen, little boy…
I don’t know what the definition of “Jack wad” is but I assume it’s a bundle of car repair jacks together as one. Am I correct?
AND ASS WIPE – Since WHEN is it professional to publicly bash someone who’s going through a hard time!!