Reg Hardware

Comments on: iPhone unlocking for pleasure and profit

And how long will it work for...? 

By Glenn Gilbert Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 01:29 GMT

The $399 question: how long will this work for before Apple/whoever updates the phone so these unlocks stop working?

Will it be the next software update?

Still, it's worth it just to upset the phone companies:-)

Re. How long..? 

By Tony Smith, Editor, Reg Hardware Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 05:19 GMT

(Written by Reg staff.)

That is *the* question. I won't apply system software and iTunes updates as rapidly as I might otherwise do in future. And there are enough folks working on this to ensure, I think, suitable tweaks come on-stream after future Apple updates. We'll just have to see.

you are using the wrong tools 

By Anonymous Coward Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 07:25 GMT

I have unlocked 3 now. It takes 30 mins using iBrickr. Check out iPhone.unlock.no

Accidental backdoor - Yea right 

By James MacLeod Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 07:33 GMT

So, you can hack the iPhone. How careless of Apple.

Will this increase or decrease the iPhone sales?

Will anyone NOT buy it because it can be unlocked.. no. So those sales will not be affected.

Will more geeks buy it because it can be unlocked... yes.

Most folk won't be arsed to unlock it but some geeks will. They probably wouldn't have bought it if it was totally locked. More sales.

Will O2 or whoever be litigious about the unlock capability. Seems like the unlock is a complicated process so I guess Apple will have that as a defence.

What percentage of iPhones will be unlocked? Damn all, why separate it from a contract that gives you free minutes & texts.

So this unlock will increase sales, generate tons more free publicity & not reduce call revenue stream by that much.

How careless of Apple??????

Who gives a ...... 

By Trevor Watt Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 08:04 GMT

Who cares. I mean who really cares. The iPhone is over hyped rubbish anyway. And I don't see any articles about how people have cracked and unlocked other devices, but they do it every day.

In the UK the business model will be different anyway, you will have to take a contract with O2 that you will have to pay for even if you don't use their network. Most O2 supplied handsets are not even network locked.

Sure the non-Apple utilities will be fun for you I am sure, but there is already thousands of apps for Symbian and WM devices out there anyway and something like the HTC Touch is far superior to the iPhone anyway.

Alarm! Alarm! 

By Ascylto Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 08:51 GMT

A non-Apple bashing story!

A non-iPhone bashing story!

If El Reg is trying to suck up to Jobsy and get tickets for today's announcement at the London Apple Store or for future events ... you'll have to do better!

Where's Cade Metz when you need his illogical rants?

Bravo, Bravo 

By Robert Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 08:58 GMT

Keep it coming, and pshaw to those who complain that the next software update will kill it. You have no imagination.

@Glenn Gilbert 

By Lewa Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 09:14 GMT

It probably will be in the next software update, but my question is: how will they word it? "We saw you naughty children messing with your toys. BAD KIDDIES! No more freedom for you! Do as Auntie Apple says!"

Cold Comfort 

By amanfromMars Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 09:55 GMT

Are phone companies tie-ins to enable them first dabs on mined information, parsed from the passing of info/Intel over their carrier/snoop networks? IT is what any Network carrier worth a jot would do although to expect the value not to be shared with mined Sources is a big mistake which will cost them dear. It could even cost them everything that they have worked for...... but at least they will be secure in the knowledge that it was all of their own doing.

unlocked forever? 

By sleepy Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 11:22 GMT

I think it'll stay unlocked indefinitely - so long as you don't want any software updates - it's your legal right to unlock, I think. But whether you can buy a new iPhone and unlock it in future without committing to the required contract is another question.

Here's what really matters 

By Morely Dotes Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 13:49 GMT

After unlocking, can you install voice dial capability?

I have a $49 phone that does voice dial. As long as Apple's iPhone can't do that, it's a ... Well, I'll be generous and call it a Zune by Apple.

When you realise that the poster sounds like he's on drugs.. 

By Register Reader Posted Tuesday 18th September 2007 16:33 GMT

And is only very mildy related to the article.. you look up.. and yep, it's amanfromMars!!! I wish again that we got email notification whenever someone else posts a comment in these articles because I don't go back through them all to see any replies. At least I haven't seen any Kevin Hall flamefests recently..

Hmm 

By Dana W Posted Wednesday 19th September 2007 16:01 GMT

I'm a recent Apple convert, and I love my MacBook Pro. But I'm getting sick of the constant patches to make my iPhone less usable and less accessible. Now its a war to lock out custom ring tones. I won't buy ringtones if they can't be bothered to sell any I would actually want to hear.

Much as I hate saying it, calling it the Apple Zune Isn't that far off, If I wanted draconian DRM and all this lockout and dysfunction I'd have stayed with Microsoft.

"And the gen 6 pods won't run with Linux??" One less pod sale here Stevo. My Apple love seems to be reminding me more of a dysfunctional marriage every day.

Title 

By J Posted Wednesday 19th September 2007 22:11 GMT

"And the gen 6 pods won't run with Linux??"

Well, that didn't last more than a weekend or the like, it seems.

http://www.news.com/8301-13580_3-9779776-39.html

It should soon be implemented in libgpod or some other piece of code, I guess.