Why Apple can't stop iPhone hackers: Business Week examines the reasons why Apple and AT&T may not have legal grounds to stop companies from selling unlocked iPhones. Meanwhile, open-source advocates are offering $100,000 to the first developer to release iPhone-unlocking software to the public. Gizmodo has another way to unlock the iPhone without voiding its warranty, courtesy of an Israeli iPhone hacker. Those of us who have decent AT&T service may wonder, "What's the big whoop?" about unlocking the iPhone…Apple fans in Vermont have an answer.
Taking it to court: In yet another lawsuit against Apple, a New York resident who owns three iPhones appeared in court yesterday, claiming that "Apple had not fully disclosed that the phone was impenetrable to outside service providers." (The man may have another reason for his grudge: He's the one who got a bill for two grand in roaming charges after taking his iPhone to Mexico and using it to check email and surf the Web.) And if you've wanted to file a lawsuit against Apple complaining about the pain and suffering caused by a fingerprint-smeared iPhone display, try the new iPhone stylus instead.
In other Apple news: Full-screen video iPods have a bright future, according to one research firm. Apple apparently forced YouTube to remove the Leopard introduction video from its site yesterday. Apple may not want its copyrighted material on YouTube, but it's certainly working quickly to meet the October ship deadline for Leopard, pumping out new developer builds at a quicker pace. Here's where to go to bid on an oil painting of Steve Jobs, created from the headshot used on the Fake Steve blog.
In other tech news: Acer plans to buy Gateway for $710 million, which could help the Taiwanese company get a stronger foothold in the U.S. PC market (although one industry watcher says it's more proof that it's really Apple that's winning the PC war). And Dell, which has beat the pants of Gateway soundly in online sales, appears to be stumbling a bit as it attempts to gain a foothold in bricks-and-mortar retailing at Wal-Mart.
File under "Why this country is going to pot": If you use the Internet daily, you've no doubt seen this video already, but if not, you must view it right now. And write your congressional representative to petition them to help "South Africa and the Iraq"!
Anonymous
September 07, 2007 at 8:57am
1 firmware update and they can be stopped.
webterractive
August 29, 2007 at 2:38pm
I don't understand why people of the "Mac" persuasion get really offended when questions are raised about Apple products. Mac computers, and products are not the best in the world, they are like every other product in possesing both pros and cons. Companies in Europe sued Microsoft because of its inclusion of Windows Media Player, it is not different then the inclusion of iTunes as the default player. The iPod as esthetically pleasing as it may be, it is not the best music device out there. Thanks to Apple Marketing and mainstream media acceptance it is the device of choice. I hae heard people say it is the best mp3 player they have ever owned, and the iPod they just bought was the first. The iPhone has flaws, and having the ability to unlock the phone shouldn't bring in criticism of the people who did it, but instead as question Apple's security in its devices.
Mark Trencher
August 29, 2007 at 11:10am
There is a very important question that is sometimes asked (but not often enough). Why do we accept a counter-competitive system in the USA in which the telecom providers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc.) dictate hardware product features and connectivity. Would we allow Interscope Records to dictate the button configuration and volume levels on a Sony Discman before allowing you to play the new 50 Cent CD?
It is understood that cellphone hardware features and capabilities in many other countries are way ahead of the offerings here in the US. We need to move toward an environment in which you can buy whatever phone you want and can use it with whatever provider you want ... just like with landline phones. That's what would create competitiveness and enhance what we have available as a consumer ... and then the whole discussion of unlocking phones would be moot (and silly).
Mark
Anonymous
August 28, 2007 at 2:38pm
Why sue apple, seriously, thats like me going out and suing nokia because of getting a large bill from O2...
He has no clue what he's doing
