link . Its not a polished app yet, but now that the hard work is done, it’ll be wrapped in a nice GUI wrapper in the next 24-48 hours, guaranteed.

The iPhone unlock is done. Until Apple release iPhone OS X 2.0 .. for now though, rejoice - the rebels have set the iPhone free - rejoice Rogers users in Canada! Now all you have to do is work out how to afford their stinking data charges and you too can enjoy the iPhone

[wrong thread]

Now if we can only get all those hackers to turn their attention to turning salt water into a fuel.

Re: iPhone unlocked, for free!

[quote author=“Tommo_UK”] link . Its not a polished app yet, but now that the hard work is done, it’ll be wrapped in a nice GUI wrapper in the next 24-48 hours, guaranteed.

The iPhone unlock is done. Until Apple release iPhone OS X 2.0 .. for now though, rejoice - the rebels have set the iPhone free - rejoice Rogers users in Canada! Now all you have to do is work out how to afford their stinking data charges and you too can enjoy the iPhone

That was a fun graphic on the Gizmodo site.

And to think, they exploited a buffer overflow bug…isn’t that the kind of thing that hackers will always be able to find on OS X, and that Apple will be able to patch quickly?  It’s not like they cracked some key.

BTW, Apple’s gradual role out of iPhone features will make it very hard to resist Apple’s “next” iPhone software upgrade if it enables IM, or iChat AV, or video, etc…  So, even if you unlock your phone, you could quickly lose your hack when you decide you really want that awesome new feature that also happens to break you unlock hack and fix the buffer overflow bug needed to rehack the phone, at least until a new bug is found, which can take months…   

Is this good or bad for Apple? On one hand it might prompt more people to buy an iPhone. On the other hand, Apple won’t be getting any ongoing revenues from those who use their iPhones on other networks.

[quote author=“wheeles”]Is this good or bad for Apple? On one hand it might prompt more people to buy an iPhone. On the other hand, Apple won’t be getting any ongoing revenues from those who use their iPhones on other networks.

Its fantastic.. the more people who buy these and unlock them the better, because the more people who see one in countries where they aren’t yet available thanks to someone who has hacked a US iPhone, the more will be waiting to buy one when they’re officially released.

[quote author=“Tommo_UK”][quote author=“wheeles”]Is this good or bad for Apple? On one hand it might prompt more people to buy an iPhone. On the other hand, Apple won’t be getting any ongoing revenues from those who use their iPhones on other networks.

Its fantastic.. the more people who buy these and unlock them the better, because the more people who see one in countries where they aren’t yet available thanks to someone who has hacked a US iPhone, the more will be waiting to buy one when they’re officially released.

Hacking and unlocking is positive because it generate media coverage and buzz. But the consequence on Apple revenue will keep very small since the large majority of users do not bother with the complexity and inconvenience each time an iPhone update is issued.

[quote author=“wheeles”]Is this good or bad for Apple?

When it becomes bad for Apple, it can be blocked. It will be blocked sooner if there are contractual difficulties with AT&T. It won’t be retrospectively blocked; if you never update your iPhone firmware or iTunes (leaving them as they were when you unlocked), I think you’d be safe indefinitely. To do otherwise would overstep Apple’s legal rights.

It has quite few benefits for Apple - keeping interest high; selling iPhones in international markets where iPhone doesn’t ship yet; training outside developers ready for when native apps are blessed by Apple; finding deep and subtle bugs at no cost. Quickly learning when consumers really think the Apple service is poor value.

For a non-geek buying an iPhone, it’s expecting quite a lot for them to believe in the totally unsupported unlock. I don’t expect unlocked iPhones in the US to be more than 5-10% of the total for quite a while yet, even if Apple make no changes to hinder it.  (Of course it will look like the opposite on the web, because unlockers will be so vocal.) After the AT&T exclusive ends, things may look very different.

Re: iPhone unlocked, for free!

[quote author=“alcatholic”]...
And to think, they exploited a buffer overflow bug…isn’t that the kind of thing that hackers will always be able to find on OS X and that Apple will be able to patch quickly?  It’s not like they cracked some key.
...

If it is really using a buffer overflow bug then I would like to have this patched as soon as possible by Apple! Such a bug can be used for all other malicious type of things, which I would certainly not want on my iPhone :o
So an iPhone unlock, based on this type of bug, is not very helpful.

[quote author=“sleepygeek”] It will be blocked sooner if there are contractual difficulties with AT&T. It won’t be retrospectively blocked; if you never update your iPhone firmware or iTunes (leaving them as they were when you unlocked), I think you’d be safe indefinitely. To do otherwise would overstep Apple’s legal rights.

Apple can do a stealth block by adding some minor update to iTunes, such that when unlockers try to sync music iTunes will detect the unlocked features and do a major software update whether the user wants it or not.

I’m still awaiting Apple’s public acknowledgment of the unlocking. Yesterday we heard from one of their VPs that they are indifferent (so far) to apps being added to the phone. They won’t support them, and won’t guarantee they will continue to work after updates; but they also won’t target them. But there has been no statement or action on the unlocking yet.

The Empire Strike Back (potentially)

 
Trader In Play® 
Ticker Search:
Updated: 24-Sep-07 11:29 ET T16:42   AAPL Apple releases statement on iPhone unlocking, saying it may cause irrepatable damage

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16:42   AAPL Apple releases statement on unauthorized iPhone unlocking, saying it causes irreparable damage to the iPhone’s software (148.28 +4.13)

Co has discovered that many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone’s software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed. Apple plans to release the next iPhone software update, containing many new features including the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, later this week. Apple strongly discourages users from installing unauthorized unlocking programs on their iPhones. Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty. The permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing unlocking software is not covered under the iPhone’s warranty.

Discouraging hacking is a good move IMO.  By my math Apple will loose about $500 per iPhone that isn’t paying for AT&T services.  Still in question, will Apple honor hacked iPhones warranties with other than software issues such as battery failure?

I wonder what this means. Would killing 100K unlocked iPhones next week make good business sense? I don’t think so.

All things considered, I think the most likely outcome for Apple to select is: it is possible to sync without applying the update, but if you apply the next update, your unlock may be broken, but will in fact be repairable by a subsequent hacker-provided software install. However fully locked iPhones (including new iPhones) will no longer be unlockable at all, except by the service provider or Apple.

Apple has failed to make a statement about unlocks for several weeks; they have crippled iPod touch so that you need 3 devices to replace iPhone: iPod, cellphone and PDA; they have provided no option for low usage customers who make only a few calls per month and don’t need mobile data. Finally, they have delayed considerably the roll-out of iPhone in the majority of markets in the world. These factors provide very powerful motivation to buyers of unlocked iPhones.

As far as the iPod Touch goes, don’t be surprised to see “missing” apps like Mail, and additional Calendar functionality suddenly appear once Leopard is released, along with other enhanced features.

[quote author=“sleepygeek”]
Apple has failed . . . . . ; they have provided no option for low usage customers who make only a few calls per month and don’t need mobile data.

I think that this is where we see Google fill the niche with it’s rumored gPhone.