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iPhone software update does 'brick' unlocked handsets

By Stevie Smith Sep 28, 2007, 13:46 GMT

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DennisSep 28th, 2007 - 15:23:41

If I take out the factory installed radio in my car and put a Blaupunkt in will my car stop working when I take it to the dealer for a check up? No. Fortunately for us Apple doesn't make cars... yet.

Purposely bricking hacked iPhones seem to be rather extreme and makes one wonder how Mr Jobs could be a hero to anyone anymore.

Apple has become the most anal software company I have ever seen. Why is it that I can run Windows under the Apple OS or Linux using VMWare but cannot run the Apple OS under Linux or Windows? Because unlike Windows and Linux, Apple licensing forbids it to be used as a guest OS. Neither Linux nor Windows has such a clause.

I wish the Apple lovers out there would quit supporting these blatant slaps in the face simply because it comes from the great one Steve Jobs. Mr. Jobs has morphed into something that only a Bill Gates could love.

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Abraham M.Sep 28th, 2007 - 16:44:04

I truly think that you need to understand the issue here is not about unistalling a radio in your car, is basicaly you are selling a BMW with a toyota engine. So if you by any chance invent a product you want it to be the only product out there becuase you want to make money of it, So that is the same attidute of APPLE/AT&T.

PS: im just a consumer, not related to any of those companies!.

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To DennisSep 28th, 2007 - 19:51:19

Re your question: 'Why is it that I can run Windows under the Apple OS or Linux using VMWare but cannot run the Apple OS under Linux or Windows? '

The diference in operating systems stems from 'Little Endian' and 'Big Endian' byte sequence.

You can run Windows on your Mac, because Apple takes the extra effort to create ways to make it work in their OS ... Windows on the other hand, does not.

So why do you blame Apple instead of Microsoft? ... It's really a Windows limitation.

Abraham is correct ... but it's important to understand why Apple limits the iPhone to AT&T ... it has to do with ensuring the carrier has the support systems in place to provide the unique functions the iPhone is capable of ... other carriers do not ... limited function performance with other carriers would then incorrectly reflect poorly on the phone device, instead of the carrier who doesn't have the systems to make it work properly ... something Apple wants to avoid. And understandably so.

P.S. Also just a consumer and not related to either company ... But I sure do love my iPhone ... best damned phone I've ever had ... and it works the way Apple said it would.

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DRSSep 28th, 2007 - 20:24:02

I want an iphone but I am on T-mobile and they are cheapoer than ATT. Why would Apple make a device that will only work on one network when making an unlocked device would mean more would sell?
If Steve Jobs thinks this is the way business is to be done then he has clearly been smoking something! But then again being a billionaire means he does not have to think about the people that buy his stuff to put him there.
What an A**hole!

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DRS please read above postSep 28th, 2007 - 20:27:00

there's a reason Apple chose the carrier who could provide the function support for the iPhone.

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If you wanna hack the iPhone as a hobby - go aheadSep 28th, 2007 - 20:49:12

but don't bitch at Apple for not supporting your hobby.

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AJSep 29th, 2007 - 01:09:53

lol, DRS. Reading your comment shows the exact reason why Jobs is so rich and you're not. Still unable to see why protecting AT&T's interests protects his. It's not rocket science people, just foresight.

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JBHSep 29th, 2007 - 12:43:15

'Because unlike Windows and Linux, Apple licensing forbids it to be used as a guest OS. Neither Linux nor Windows has such a clause.'

Apparently you haven't read the Vista Home and Vista Home Premium EULAs.

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@DennisSep 30th, 2007 - 17:26:58

Maybe it's because unlike Microsoft, Apple is a hardware company, and licensing their OS (which was already tried once btw) would destroy their hardware sales? Not to mention part of the reason their software works as well as it does, is they don't have to worry about all the multiple system configurations someone might install them on.

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Lord SlayerzSep 30th, 2007 - 22:47:12

If you went into your local store to buy a pair of NIKE trainers, you'd be gobsmacked if the assistant siad you couldn't have them unless you bought a tracksuit as well.
The same goes for the phone.
What happened to the right to choose your supplier.
Its corporate nepotism.
You can't have x unless you subscribe to y.
That's an unfair marketing ploy by Apple.
Vote with your feet people.
Don't buy it until its network free.
Whilst sheep buy it Apple will treat people as such.

Lord Bitter and very twisted

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