consumers in the US are legally allowed to unlock their mobile handsets after the US Register of Copyrights approved an exemption to the DMCA late last year, noting that “The underlying activity sought to be performed by the owner of the handset is to allow the handset to do what it was manufactured to do—lawfully connect to any carrier.” But don’t tell that to Apple and AT&T—unless the government bars them from locking out the unlocks, there’s virtually nothing stopping them from making sure that the unlocks mysteriously stop working.
But we have reason to believe that Apple may go much further than just “breaking” the SIM unlocks that have been released so far. One move that the cat (or is Apple the mouse?) could make in this game would be to permanently and irreparably brick unlocked iPhones when they run this month’s pending software update. It would serve as a warning shot to potential unlockers in the future—even if crafty hackers manage to rewrite their unlock apps to get around the changes made in the update, they could always be at risk of suddenly owning a shiny $400 chunk of metal and plastic.
#29 “I’m always running into folks that have Windows at work, because they have to, and a Mac at home – when they make the choice. ”
Funny from my experience it was the other way around with so many people I know in advertising. Two very good friends of mine who are very good graphic designers both use Macs at work but have PCs at home. So WTF?
#32 “…screaming bald moron…” Steve Jobs? WTF?
Cheers
#32 – I always enjoy reading an unbiased, objective opinion.
1 – The article is a big pile of FUD
2 – see above.
As soon as I saw the amount of weasel words in the extract I knew it to be bullshit.
Yes Apple MIGHT brick phones, just as we MIGHT get unlimited amounts of sunshine from an orange. Are either of these likely, or do they have any evidence of happening? No.
Poor choice for posting SN, this is an Uncle Dave post at best.
#36, Gregory,
Poor choice for posting SN, this is an Uncle Dave post at best.
Phukhat. There is nothing wrong about this topic. Several people found it interesting enough to post something. Remember, if you don’t have anything to say, don’t say it.
So I guess in your opinion, the pilot of the Exxon Valdez should have been forced to pay the cost of cleanup of the Alaskan coast, out of his own pocket?
#38 – I think you know what I mean and your “question” is at best, disingenuous.