[Edward Kirk]

Apple recently released a statement today warning iPhone owners to exercise caution when unlocking their iPhone, saying 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..."


The complete statement reads as follows:

"Apple 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 (www.itunes.com), 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."

I have to wonder, when they say that unlocking the phone will most likely result in bricking it (and that's essentially what they mean), does this mean that they are in fact planning to brick the hacked iPhones intentionally? If so, this might be their way of covering for themselves. When questioned, they could simply say that they gave fair warning.

On the other hand, it is entirely possible that they are being completely truthful, in which case warning those with unlocked devices not to update the firmware is very considerate, especially considering that they are most likely contractually obligated to protect from unlocking by AT&T and the other carriers.

Update:
As to the speculation that Apple might purposely brick unlocked iPhones, The New York Times got an interview with Phil Schiller during which he commented that the warning was intended to be a courtessy, and not a threat that they are purposely going to brick iPhones.

"This has nothing to do with proactively disabling a phone that is unlocked or hacked,'' Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said in an interview. ''It's unfortunate that some of these programs have caused damage to the iPhone software, but Apple cannot be responsible for ... those consequences."

I would say that Apple is being honest with us about this one. We should expect better from them than bricking their own devices. Sorry, Apple!

For those who have or plan on having an unlocked iPhone, keep this in mind. You have been warned. No matter the reason, I expect Apple is being honest that the device will be bricked with the update.

Update #2:
For those of you concerned about risking having your iPhone bricked by the update, Erica Sadun has devised a way to re-lock your iPhone.

[via iPod Observer]

[flood187]

Is this just referring to unlocking so you can use another carrier? Or putting apps on your phone at all?

What about the implimentation of 3rd party applications? Is this only for just unlocking the iphone or is it for adding 3rd party apps using apptap?

[Pepper]

when they say "unlocked", they just mean for a different carrier correct? Users using, say, Installer.app, won't have to worry?

[Edward Kirk]

Originally Posted by flood187

Is this just referring to unlocking so you can use another carrier? Or putting apps on your phone at all?

They appear to be referring to the "unlocking" of iPhones from the original SIM card and carrier. Putting apps on your iPhone refers to "Jailbreaking", and they didn't mention it in the press release.

[pique]

Originally Posted by Edward Kirk

They appear to be referring to the "unlocking" of iPhones from the original SIM card and carrier. Putting apps on your iPhone refers to "Jailbreaking", and they didn't mention it in the press release.

In my mind there is something I wont do:
a)update or upgrade iPhone firmware UNLESS I hear from the experts it is safe to.

b)Update iTunes,and again listen to the experts.

You must keep reading all iPhone related news in the internet,if possible EVERY DAY.

[iph0n3]

FOR ANY 3RD PARTY APPS. I run tmobile where i live because of the dirt cheap bill and data. It also in the original article says that it will recieve AUTOMATIC updates when you have the new iTunes WIFI store - sorta like the PSP but on the psp they are manual to have. Also i do not really care because the renowned DevTeam will come up with a way to fix this. I will wait a couple weeks then see what happens.
iph0n3

[eltripone123]

Originally Posted by Pepper

when they say "unlocked", they just mean for a different carrier correct? Users using, say, Installer.app, won't have to worry?

i little bird that works at apple in SF told me today that the new update will be availible tuesday night. also if theres any 3rd app programs installed, to restore the phone (hint, hint) to factory settings before updating the firmware. The new update wont work with itunes 7.1 you need 7.2.2 so bye bye custom ringtones.

[Hans]

i hope they pull this off, every unlocked iphone hurts apple in the long run and therefore hurts all of us who benefit from apple's new developments

I've worked in the computer industry for over 20 years now, and this is the first time I've heard of software irreparably damaging hardware. If this is possible on an iPhone, it is indeed a very poorly designed device.

Everything Apple does is with pre-determined and carefully planned intent, that's why their computers and Apple software are so reliable. I would think their "fair warning" is a scare tactic letting you know they intend to do everything they can to disable any iPhone hacks.

[Eurisko]

Originally Posted by Hans

i hope they pull this off, every unlocked iphone hurts apple in the long run and therefore hurts all of us who benefit from apple's new developments

Apple's tactic of exclusion to all but AT&T customers (for now) is whats going to hurt them. This is something I thought only the dreaded Microsoft was capable of. Apple has always been on the forefront of offering their customers choice... until now. This was a very bad step, in the wrong direction.

[Josip19]

Originally Posted by Hans

i hope they pull this off, every unlocked iphone hurts apple in the long run and therefore hurts all of us who benefit from apple's new developments

How does unlocking our phones hurt apple and us in the long run?? That is ridiculous! If anything, it HELPS everyone because more people are purchasing the product because they can use it on the network that they want.
This locking business it total garbage, I can understand their requirement to do so here in the US, but what about people who travel internationally and don't want to pay the ridiculous international calling fees.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I've worked in the computer industry for over 20 years now, and this is the first time I've heard of software irreparably damaging hardware. If this is possible on an iPhone, it is indeed a very poorly designed device.

Maybe that's because they're not talking about SOFTWARE, but rather about FRIMWARE. Hopefully if you've been working in the industry for so long, you know the difference between the two. And there certainly have been cases where mucking around with firmware causing irreparable (although rarely COMPLETELY irreparable) damage. Look no further than the PSP scene.

[Hans]

Originally Posted by Josip19

How does unlocking our phones hurt apple and us in the long run?? That is ridiculous! If anything, it HELPS everyone because more people are purchasing the product because they can use it on the network that they want.
This locking business it total garbage, I can understand their requirement to do so here in the US, but what about people who travel internationally and don't want to pay the ridiculous international calling fees.

nope, it hurts all of us because it drops apple's profits by at least half for each iphone sold. all phones come out exclusive to a certain carrier, thats how it always is. this is how they are able to make money, by getting extra for the exclusive. if apple gets the full profit from all the iphones sold they will have more resources and many more reasons to keep improving the iphone.

Originally Posted by Anon

Maybe that's because they're not talking about SOFTWARE, but rather about FRIMWARE. Hopefully if you've been working in the industry for so long, you know the difference between the two. And there certainly have been cases where mucking around with firmware causing irreparable (although rarely COMPLETELY irreparable) damage. Look no further than the PSP scene.

I do know the difference, and I also know how to spell. And whether the programming is stored in RAM or in EPROM, its the same thing my friend.

[Eurisko]

Originally Posted by Hans

nope, it hurts all of us because it drops apple's profits by at least half for each iphone sold. all phones come out exclusive to a certain carrier, thats how it always is. this is how they are able to make money, by getting extra for the exclusive. if apple gets the full profit from all the iphones sold they will have more resources and many more reasons to keep improving the iphone.

This is not correct. Many devices are not exclusive to carriers; take the Blackberry or Treo devices for instance. Even Motorola and Nokia provide the same model phones to many difference carriers. It's the CARRIER options that make it unique, not the device.

Besides, Apple is making many times the profit from the data charge kickbacks with AT&T than the selling of the iPhone itself. Lastly, Apple stocks only drop when it makes stupid mistakes, like dropping the price of the iPhone one third, 68 days after its released.

It all comes down to one thing, Steve Jobs wants sole control over what people do with HIS iPhone.