Apple can't write all its software around ump-teen software modifications. You risk causing a domino effect if you change the root software that could be necessary as part of a series of functions, each of which are also depended upon. This isn't about Apple attacking anyone. They make a consumer product, not a product to be dissected by geeks (meant affectionately). If your a consumer and have applied such a modification by a third party, you got greedy, make peace with it

Right, Apple will update their iPhone software and if it breaks your hacks - oh well. They can't possibly spend the resources necessary to ensure that everyone's hacked iPhones and installed apps work. No way.

Steve Jobs has already addressed the problem:
http://fakesteve.blogspot.com/2007/09/to-all-iphone-customers.html

Oh and P.S., from iPhoneSimFree:


We also tested an AnySim unlocked phone, and after the update it appeared to be relocked. The IMEI was reported as 004999010640000 (see below), and a T-Mobile sim was reported by the phone as an "Incorrect SIM" rather than the new "Different SIM Detected" message.


The 004999010640000 issue (Resellers please take note):

004999010640000 is a special IMEI number reported back by a phone in "lockdown" mode. We have seen this a few times mostly in relation to other unlocking methods. We are currently updating our servers to accommodate new customers wishing to recover their phones from lockdown mode, but it is essential that the REAL IMEI of the phone is passed on to our servers, or else the server will not issue the unlock. The real IMEI can be found engraved on the back of the phone or on the back of its retail box. We will update our site when the Servers have been updated to fix lockdown phones.

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That IMEI is a universal lockdown number, google it and you'll get people with Nokia phones and such with that lockdown number.

Congratulations, Melly! You have made all the arguments for why Apple's iPhone OS should be just like Windows Mobile, hacked and unstable. Get a clue.

I'm going to run moonshine through the engine of my new car. It burns well and its cheaper than gas. And when my engine fries, I'll ask Ford to fix it under warranty, because I was just driving, you know...

I think Apple is technically right in this argument but I think they are wrong for sticking it to their customers.

I can't see what Apple gained by rendering iPhones unusable. Retribution, sales opportunities, ???

Apple Won but their customers lost - is that really a victory?

If Apple had people upgraded to 1.1.1, which is locked down, then wouldn't they have won without the customer losing?

.

Apple needs to improve and develop iPhone WITHOUT worrying about unsupported hacks.

I look forward to a developing iPhone.

Not a stagnating one.

Apple is not purposely going out of its way to "fight" or anger its customers. It simply refuses to guarantee support for iPhones that have unauthorized modifications. Software updates may or may not brick your hacked iPhone, but Apple does not want to be held responsible.
For more details, see http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/appleaday/blog/2007/09/apple_targets_iphone_hackers.html

The basic flaw in your argument is that you are assuming the Apple is 'doing something' nasty to it's customers. It's really a case of what Apple isn't doing- namely not guaranteeing that a hacked iPhone will continue to work. I think this is entirely reasonable of Apple - it's practically impossible to make that guarantee.

My question to you is why you immediately jump to casting this in the worst possible terms for Apple? Got something against the company?

Yes, I agree with cw (#11). Your whole argument hinges on the assumption that Apple has purposely bricked these unlocked iPhones (don't confuse unlocked iPhones with hacked iPhones), that they went out of their way to write something nasty just to be draconian. Where is your evidence of this? Isn't it more reasonable that Apple is going to update the iPhone's software and firmware however they see fit, without taking the time and effort to make sure that any and all unauthorized software hacks don't get broken? What you're really arguing is that Apple should not only bless the unlocking of iPhones, but go out of their way to take those hacks into account when updating and improving the functionality of the phone. That would be ludicrous.

I love the rage - people who unlock iPhones are in violation of their agreement - read it - it is a contract.

My guess is that the number in the 100s - not the thousands - and certainly not the 10s of thousands.

But..

This is what makes the internet so much fun :-)

I am a happy iPhone user with no desire to unlock or hack or have sex with my phone...

By the way the new iTunes app on the phone is very cool and I have already spent $10 on new songs...

Apple has every right to protect their product so you can't blame them for this. If you feel the need to hack your Iphone and try to get something for nothing, well then you pay the price.

I think your most compelling point came when you questioned whether Apple had the right to turn those iPhones into bricks. (I admit I don't know whether the phones totally die, or whether the cell phone service just stops.) But you have to admit, these customers are essentially screwing with Apple, and, speaking generally, what goes around comes around. These people are certainly not really "customers" as defined by the Customer Agreement. But I share your feeling that the punishment may overshoot the crime in this case. I suppose it simply boils down to the fact that these hackers have no recourse.

However, to make an argument such as "Does the computer maker have the right to dictate which internet provider I choose?" is quite lame. First of all, the iPhone is obviously not a desktop computer on the Internet. It's a cell phone on a carrier network. There is no rule which says cell phone terms-of-use must be similar to those of a desktop computer on the Internet. That's absurd. Secondly, if the computer maker *did* dictate a particular ISP, why wouldn't it be within their rights? It's their product. I'm confident it would be legal in most countries. (It's also your right not to purchase that computer.) Finally, lots of products and services come with terms and conditions. You might as well ask questions like, "Why shouldn't I be allowed to play my retail DVD in front of a paying audience?" Well, because by buying the DVD, you've agreed not to. That's why. It's not complicated. And in this case, I don't see any reason why the government should get involved and change the terms of the iPhone agreement.

Basically, you started off making a good argument, but then you weakened it with a not-so-good argument.

let's see. Apple announces new functionality and a firmware update to enable it. then it announces that this firmware update is not compatible with some third party hacks which apple has not authorized and warned users of the hacks. It then releases the update and includes a warning that if the update is used with a hacked phone, it will break it.

So why would the owner of a hacked phone install the update? Common sense would dictate to wait for an updated hack before you update the iPhone firmware. And it would cause me to be pissed at the company that sold me the hack, not with apple.

This is all about Apple's exclusive partnerships with carriers (at&t is just the first of many worldwide). Apple had to make these partnerships to play in the cell phone world (all the manufacturers do this)

Apple had to do this to get aT&t and the other partners to commit to make their networks support Apple specific protocols such as visual voicemail and others to be announced. Do you expect them not to step in and support their partners?

The lesson in all of this is leave the hacks to the hackers (who don't have an iPhone as an appliance but as a toy). They found new purpose in life yesterday to write a new hack. If you are a consumer who needs a phone as an appliance, go with the standard apple-at&t offering or buy some other phone. And in a similar vein, if you need to use your car for work every day then buy the standard honda civic, don't buy a civic and then shoehorn a corvette engine in it. Other wise you'll be walking to work more often than not while your frankenCivic is being repaired.

Why is everyone so up in arms about the iPhone only working on AT&T anyway. Everyone does it. The newly announced Palm Centro only will work on Sprint. Will they get the same negative press as Apple? I doubt it.

Your article's title is the problem, Apple didn't, phone users did.

Don't get the update and your phone should work fine. Secondly, if you want the update wait for a hacked version to become available, if they're into using non standard software anyways why say that Apple forced them to brick their phone?

(18. Ross) excellent point. everyone stop whining.