Unlocked Apple iPhones disabling themselves

[Dreaming]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7017660.stm

bad news for anyone with one, all I'd advise is to not update until further news comes out, it's a very harsh measure since unlocking isn't illegal as such is it? It's akin to criminal damage. I can't even see Microsoft going this far - disabling your legally bought windows copy if you do something with it they don't like.

[Dreaming]

http://news.portalit.net/fullnews_wi...eight_244.html

Also, there is a question regarding whether Apple's update damages the iPhones on purpose of not. While Apple is most-likely to stated that such an effect was caused unintentionally, the law requires that the company prove it beyond any doubt.

However, if the iPhone was rendered useless on an intentional basis, then Apple faces an already lost battle, since such an action is clearly against the law.

All in all, there has been no lawsuit filed up to this point. Still, many users are likely to find (if they haven't already) that their iPhones won't work after the update and that spell a huge PR problem for Apple.

[nichomach]

"Some owners are reporting on technology blogs and Apple's own forums that the update is deleting contacts information, as well as photos and music, on iPhones that have not been modified in any way."

If that's true, hello class action lawsuit (in the US, anyway).

[DR]

... Its pretty daft of people to update them - they were warned, just wait for a new firmware from the 3rd party people....

[Fraz]

Apple are so goddamn smug... I love it when they royally mess-up like this. Harsh for the poor end-user though

[Dreaming]

I think that's due to it deleting any unathorised plugins etc. according to an article I looked at (look on google news).

Seems incredibly draconian, hopefully it's just a massive exaggeration - but I think iPhone owners should be warned before they brick them! Way too far for a company to take things imo.

[nichomach]

Originally Posted by DR

... Its pretty daft of people to update them - they were warned, just wait for a new firmware from the 3rd party people....

Well, those that have, contrary to the Will of Jobs, unlocked them, I agree, they're daft. If it's naffing up users who HAVEN'T done that, then IMO that's much more serious.

[charleski]

Originally Posted by nichomach

If it's naffing up users who HAVEN'T done that, then IMO that's much more serious.

Apparently a bug in the update is resulting in iPhones that have been registered on an AT&T GoPhone (PAYG) account being labeled with the IMEI Apple's using to indicate tampering. Such phones are being replaced without problem by Apple Stores. I'd imagine the instructions for the update include a warning to backup the phone before updating so that nothing was lost.

[TheAnimus]

Originally Posted by charleski

Apparently a bug in the update is resulting in iPhones that have been registered on an AT&T GoPhone (PAYG) account being labeled with the IMEI Apple's using to indicate tampering. Such phones are being replaced without problem by Apple Stores. I'd imagine the instructions for the update include a warning to backup the phone before updating so that nothing was lost.

Such a good company, brick your device, and then offer you a free replacement out of the goodness of their hearts when you go all the way down to the store. Thats the $800 kinda service i pay for.

[Magnets]

Could it be that the unlocking software does really alter the software like they say, causing irreparable damage?
Or do you think they just released an update to stop people unlocking?

[charleski]

Originally Posted by Magnets

Or do you think they just released an update to stop people unlocking?

The update bricks unlocked iPhones by changing the IMEI to one which identifies the phone as tampered so that iTunes won't reactivate it after the update. It's pretty certain that this is Apple deliberately going after the unlocks. Also of note is that AT&T have said they'd be happy to issue an unlock code (though you'd still be locked into the 2yr contract), but Apple won't let them. Apple obviously sees the iPhone as a major cash-cow and doesn't want anyone fiddling with it.

There's no doubt that this will get tested in the courts, probably in Europe first.

[usxhe190]

If they keep going down this route of pissing customers off, history is going to repeat itself on Apple...

[UltraMagnus]

this is so typically apple... i just cant feel sorry for anyone that buys an apple product though, they only bought it upon them selves.

[moogle]

Originally Posted by UltraMagnus

this is so typically apple... i just cant feel sorry for anyone that buys an apple product though, they only brought it upon them selves.

fixed
i agree, still lets hope they drop the AT&T crap, I wouldnt mind having an iPhone , without the hassle though.

[UltraMagnus]

how can you want such a device that cant have additional apps added to it? the whole point of a smartphone is that it can do whatever you want it to do.

play music, store addresses, word process, CAD, flight simulation, games, etc....