[Michael Johnston]

Some time ago a shop in Hong Kong claimed to be taking pre-orders for an unlocked iPhone. Although seemingly unlikely at the time, we now learn that the shop does in fact have unlocked iPhones for sale. According to Gearfuse, the iPhones sold in the shop will accept non-AT&T SIM cards, can both send and receive phone calls, and surf the web over Wi-Fi and EDGE.

Although Gearfuse didn't go into any detail on how the iPhones were unlocked, it's likely only a matter of time until the method makes its way to the US. Currently, it's not known whether visual voicemail or YouTube function properly or if there are any other caveats with the unlocked method used. The fully unlocked iPhone costs a hefty $2,000, or only $750 for the unlock.









[Via Gearfuse]

But one thing. The "carrier" is HK CSL. As we know, the carrier logo is a graphic and the phone only has so many stored inside. The fact that is shows "HK CSL" is a bit odd, it is not one of the store graphics, right? If I am right, then someone had to hack the phone to add that graphic - which is a bid odd.

Unless there is something I do not know about the carrier logos.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

But one thing. The "carrier" is HK CSL. As we know, the carrier logo is a graphic and the phone only has so many stored inside. The fact that is shows "HK CSL" is a bit odd, it is not one of the store graphics, right? If I am right, then someone had to hack the phone to add that graphic - which is a bid odd.

Unless there is something I do not know about the carrier logos.

The carrier text strings are generated on the fly... People hacking the phone to replace the ATT image/string has more to do with how ATT handles roaming and on network access (ATT DOES NOT DISPLAY ALPHA TAGS!)- hence hacked images. International roaming is different and is generated on the fly (roaming with ATT international partners) Apple's inclusion of images may be for a variety of purposes, testing, future plans, and the fact that some carriers handle Alpha Tags with roaming the way ATT does (they want to hide the fact that their network does not actually reach far and wide). Of course nothing in those pictures proves the phone is not roaming on one of ATT's HK partners. It's all very intriguing. Somebody should get one of those and let it be dissected (hopefully literally that wont be needed).

[Pepper]

if they actually sell all their phones.... i think i'm moving to hong kong and doing that. Thats pathetic that someone would pay that.

[tommy]

crazyness.. i bet Apple comes out with an update to fix this..

tommy
ThemeMyPhone.com

[j03phone]

Originally Posted by tommy

crazyness.. i bet Apple comes out with an update to fix this..[/url]

It wouldn't surprise me. It'd be their style. I'm still holding out for a good software hack.

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by tommy

crazyness.. i bet Apple comes out with an update to fix this..

tommy
ThemeMyPhone.com

Ya, but then someone else will find another way to get past it with the update. Someone always finds a way in