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Do not hack.

This is not a car to customize.

I agree.

Let the whining begin in 3...2...1...

In other news....
Kleenex stock expected to rise dramatically!
Buy NOW!

LOL
suckas!!!!!
I bet you'll think first next time, as your standing in line with your iBrick to buy a new one. As a matter of fact, I heard if you stick a fork into the vents in your stereo, it improves the audio quality, at least that's what i heard

The Rebel Alliance is turning into the Empire.

Hey Steve:

1. Third Party apps ARE the killer app for the iPhone. Why can't you see this?

2. The day you came out and said Apple would not deliberately break third party apps I installed them. That implied they are OK with you - you could have said don't do it then and there. You need to quickly differentiate those using third party apps WITH AT&T;and those that unlocked the phone. Unlockers knew they were on shaky ground but you all but said I could run my apps.

3. I, like many, will continue to run 1.02 until you either add enough functionality to the iPhone yourself or until third party apps are at least tolerated in a firmware release.

Isn't cellphone unlocking legal? I can understand Apple not providing warranty service towards anything 'broken' because of the owners tinkering, but to turn the device into a brick???

Sorry Luke, but the force is not with you on this one. Apple's iPhone warrantee is pretty straightforward. Your warrantee will be void and null if you fsck with the iPhone. So users did that, the iPhone doesn't work, and they want Apple to pay. Who is responsible here?

What the whiners will never understand is that integration of hardware and software requires a corresponding lack of hackability. Not only this, but these techie masturbators were warned REPEATEDLY and still they whine. Guys, real hackers understand and accept the risks.

Grow up and shut up. No-one cares about how much you were injured when you can't even read!

Uhm...if I installed crappy, unsupported shareware on my MBP that ended up bricking it (or even a Bit Torrent-d copy of a legit program), would Apple be expected to provide me a new laptop? Don't. Think. So. You want the iPhone to work with other carriers? Go get a Pearl, and wait 3 years, jackasses. Save the drama for yo' mamma.

If you haven't hacked your iPhone, you're missing out on some of the best things about the iPhone. I don't understand why people are surprised the update can brick the iPhone considering Apple gave warning about what could happen to a hacked iPhone few days before the update was released. If you had a hacked or unlocked iphone, common sense should tell you to wait until another version of apptapp or unlocking software is released for firmware 1.1.1 before you do the software update. I haven't updated yet since a hacked iPhone is far superior to anything 1.1.1 has to offer.

Okay, Mr. Hacker. I hacked your hack. Will you fix it?

Of course not.

I drove my car into a lake, but my modifications didn't work, and it sank. Now the manufacturer won't pay for the crane and even says I voided my warranty. Should I sue?

I didn't think so.

Sunlokyee is right.

If you hack your iPhone, and you want Apple to support it, you're knocking on the wrong door. The hacked system isn't an Apple product, it's now a hacker product. Get support from the source: the hacker.

The problem isn't with the iPhone becoming a brick, it is with Apple not allowing 3rd part apps. This is from a long time (since Apple IIe) supporter. How many times have we heard that lack of software is the reason why people bought a winblows machine? The new paradigm has shifted from desktops to mobile (iPhone) computing, and Apple is poised to dominate if they would only allow 3rd party apps. Sadly, it seems they are going to shoot themselves in the foot again.

Wow, what a cunt.

GREAT YOUTUBE!!!!!

Apple *needs* to allow and support the development community (hackers). These people LOVE the iPhone. They love it, and they will make it better.

Case study in the extremes of cool and uncool, all within a few months: Create the coolest new tech device in 20 years. Create huge buzz and long lines. Then treat your keenest, most savvy customers like dupes or little kids. Tell them that although this device runs the world's most advanced operating system, and its capabilities might be limited only by the talent and imaginations of its millions of users, in fact it will be limited to just those uses approved by the corporate headquarters of Apple and AT&T;.

Ever since my first Mac, 22 years ago, Macs are the only computers I've ever purchased. When the iPhone came out, I felt that as soon as I could come up with a halfway plausible excuse for getting one, I wanted to buy one. Now I feel that if I ever find I absolutely need one, I'll hold my nose and buy one. Sorta like Microsoft Word ....

Most computer companies encourage third party software, Nokia would kill to have as many developers putting software on their phones (see their new ad campaign). Yet here is Apple actually REMOVING that software.

It also appears that in the separate case of unlocked phones, it is not the unlocking that damaged the phones but Apple's update software that checks for an unlock and then purposely destroys the phone. It is legal under US law to unlock a phone. You bought it, you own it. Apple does not have to support it, but there is a big difference between not supporting something and testing for, and destroying. I may not support my neighbor in painting his living room purple by picking up a brush and helping him, but that's different from picking up a gun and shooting him.

I once helped win a lawsuit for Sega concerning a video game I wrote that another company copied. The other company claimed there was only one way of writing the software and we demonstrated that there wasn't. If sued, by it's customers, I think Apple would lose.

...and I am saddened by the number of jackass Mac users n this forum that can't see that the hackers are the good guys in this situation. My hope right now is that Apple is waiting to get the iPhone where they want it before opening it up.

So much for Apple being open source friendly - turns out it was just marketing. If Apple want the iPhone to succeed beyond the initial launch hype they need to support 3rd party development.

If you hackers don't like the iPhone AS IS, don't buy the damned thing. Stay away from AT&T;and the Apple Stores in droves (a Berra-ism). That'll show 'em.

As for the rest of us who understand WHAT we're buying and WHAT the manufacturer guarantees it will do, may the iPhone's tribe increase as rapidly as possible!

who need 3rd developer.... they suck anyway!

G Spank is right. It is Apple who is screwing the "fanbase." It is not the new switchers that are pissed off about this, but the longtime supporters of Apple (developers). It seems Apple is trying to "alienate their base" with the price reduction(they actually handled this decent by providing the rebate after complaints) and now the iBrick. What are they thinking?

@Jimbo:

You're right. If someone bricks their iPhone by modding it, then it's their responsibility, not Apple's. However, it sure appears as though Apple has gone out of its way to make sure (1) you cannot use innocuous third-party apps and (2) block access to the modem for other carriers. The only apparent reason for this is so they can protect their source of monthly revenues from AT&T;(which, I remind you, turned over lots of personal information to Bush et al. without a warrant).

There's only one reason why Apple doesn't want me to use T-Mobile: that monthly pay-out. I'm happy with 1.0.2 firmware and my T-Mobile service. I also enjoy having pseudo-GPS, BlackJack, Instant Messaging, Sudoku, Oxford dictionary, a thesaurus, eBooks, Tetris, Text Edit, customization, the ability to email large files (including images), and to use my iPhone's spare space as disk storage.

Apple's more interested in themselves than they are in us.

Apple will lose any court battle on this issue. No EULA, as presented to the end user, is fully enforceable. Apple can refuse to support the device with third party software installed, but can not "brick" the device.

G spank... how is hackers are the good guys? they have no moral.....

We love the iPhone as it is, but we love it even more after hacked. Stop acting like apple sheeps and open your eyes. The same iPhone with more apps and features = better. Some of you guys are just too worried about your little warranty to even try anything. You can wait 2 more years until your AT&T;contract is over and still not get a third of what 3rd party apps has to offer right now.

I really boggles the mind that someone who knowing does something to circumvent software that the iPhone was intended to operate.

A user/buyer that are told in advance before buying the iPhone that it IS exclusive to AT&T; warned in advance that any UNauthorized modes could damage the iPhone - GOES ahead knowingly and when what WAS warned happens- gets upset!!!

Either they are very ignorant or totally self absorbed that doing something they are told is wrong and do not want to suffer the consequences.

And I'm sure these are the same people who complain about all those worthless lawsuits.

My 2 cents

With regard to that YouTube video posted by MDN, the hackers actually aren't "the crazy ones, the misfits..." etc, as implied, because they hack every new device; it's standard procedure, same ol' hackers, doing what they've always done - how predictable.

Whereas...

...it is most certainly Steve Jobs and Apple that remain "the crazy ones, the misfits..." etc, because they're rolling out *their* iPhone strategy the way they see fit; bucking the trend and not making the usual poor choices other companies have made that have resulted in shit mobile handsets and shit user experiences.

I believe that as long as Apple is contractually involved with ATT and other cell phone providers, it will be duty bound to prevent the phone from any 'modifications' to protect its ability to work on that provider's network, alone.

Apple and these providers know full well that VOIP is next. Anything less than total control of the device would potentially undermine the agreement between apple and the cell phone providers, who provide network access.

This is a very shrude move on Apple's part, because it is necessary in the deployment and adoption of iPhone on a global scale; First, partner with the recognized network providers to penetrate the traditional phone market. Second, once global saturation of iPhone reaches a tipping point, allow all software hacks, including ability to use iPhone via VOIP. Third, minimize ties and dependency on traditional network providers, allowing Apple and Apple consumers to function in a free and unfettered market place, open to all. (^_^)

In the mean time, the vast cell phone wasteland could become littered with iPhone/iBricks like mushrooms popping up after a Spring rain. So please be aware and hack with care.

So I was one of those "few" that installed 3rd party apps on my iPhone. A day before the 1.1.1 came out I did a full restore and made sure that none of the 3rd party software bits were left in and I upgraded to 1.1.1 -- and now I've come to a conclusion on the subject.

I like the thought of installing what I want on my piece of hardware. I think the option to have innovative software on the phone is a good thing.

Now, with that being said... what was currently available really didn't excite me. Yeah, sure I can run a NES emulator on it, but would I ever really use it? Nah.

I really would like a native IM client on it... and that was the one 3rd party app that I will miss most. Hopefully we'll see that soon--though I am sure AT&T;likes me using SMS like iChat.... bastards.

I haven't hacked my phone, nor will I. However, if Apple proceeds down thisa path AGAIN, they will lose in the long run. Let 3rd party developers in! You allow it with Widgets, so why not with the phone? I was about to drop 10K on a Mac Pro loaded, but now I'm not so sure, not liking what I'm seeing, maybe Woz was right...

Either they are very ignorant or totally self absorbed that doing something they are told is wrong and do not want to suffer the consequences.

Our only consolation is that we're not a sheep like you. Maybe we should just create a device where we can steal phone time from Ma Bell. I would call mine Blue Box.

Just my opinion: Apple is wrong.
Oh ... I'm not saying Apple should support 3rd-party apps, that's not reasonable. Nor am I saying they should fix bricked iPhones for free, that's not reasonable either.
Apple bricked these iPhones on purpose. Without sufficient warning. (yeah, I know, Steve said so just before the update and the update itself included sufficient warning) Apple, though, had a choice. They could:
a) break the changes, leaving the iPhone working
b) not break the changes, where possible
c) re-install fresh software to replace the changes
Or, Apple could brick them. Now ... where the changes were to allow use on another network, both a) and c) would have bricked the "phone" feature of the iPhone. But, then they could reverse the hacks and you'd have a working iPhone again. Sure, charge a small fee for the fix.
Apple claims the iPhone is running OSX. That means it is, essentially, a Mac! And Macs are open to third-party software. While it would be good for Apple to be able to control this additional software, it is much more important that the software exists! Sabotaging third-party developers is not the way to go, here. That is Apple's mistake.
Dave

The PROBLEM IS

That the third party hacks don't always come with a warning it's unsupported and hardware could be rendered useless by Apple.

Third parties try to make a product better through hacks, sometimes doing it for free or for money. Which bringing useful features that people need or want to a hardware product is a benefit.

Unfortunatly in order to bring these new features, certain things like security are bypassed or left open through shoddy progamming.

The iPhone has the potential to be used to spy, to make unauthorized calls and other nasties.

Apple is allowing these hacks a short chaotic regin on their hardware to justify to installing the most stringent DRM possible. The Trusted Computing Chip.

in other news (ATT)

http://www.betanews.com/article/ATT_Will_Suspend_Accounts_of_Detractors/1191270419

What he said...This Apple has a worm in it. Better let "controlled" 3rd party developers in or Apple is going to regret it big time. Don't think that Micro$oft and/or other phone manufacturers aren't keen to this, they will exploit this weakness...and win. Is Steve crazy? Making the same mistake...sad really.

Who cares. At most, maybe 2% of iPhone owners have even considered hacking their phones, and less than 1% have managed to brick them. Those that did knew the risks ahead of time and now must face the consequences. Meanwhile the other 98% of iPhone owners are happily going about their normal business.

Apple is behaving like a bunch of assholes.

I don't believe the "bricked" iPhones are actually bricked. After all it's just flash ROM's right?

Surely they can be restored to factory condition and re-activated.

And another point I would like to make is that Apple never actually said that they will never have the facility to allow the development of third party apps for the iPhone. I think it's only a matter of time before a sandbox is developed.

Another alternative is to allow for a copy of Apache to run on the iPhone along with other standard web technologies like PHP or Ruby on Rails and a MySQL database server or SQL lite. Then you could develop web apps that you don't need to be connected to the internet to use.

@doc

Wow, this part is really scary:

Customers may find the move somewhat troubling, especially considering the telecom's involvement in the warrantless wiretapping scandal that rocked the Bush adminstration in 2005. While the company tried to play down its involvement, it also altered its privacy policy to try to claim ownership over the personal information that customers provide to it. AT&T;had no immediate comment on the change to its policies.

I wonder when they'll extend that to all calls and data transmissions over their system. Who would want AT&T;, given their history?

Have you guys read about the Nokia, anti-iPhone advertising campaign.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/10/01/nokia_launches_anti_iphone_campaign_amid_controversy.html

"We believe the best devices have no limits. That's why we've left the Nokia Nseries open," the Finland-based handset maker wrote on its new "Open to anything" website. "Open to applications. Open to widgets. Open to anything. So go ahead and load it up. What it does is up to you."
That sort of explains where many people are coming from Apple. You can spin it any way that you want to, but that's how it is.

@RC, granted, 98% could care less. The other 2% are the movers and shakers that have a tendancy to make products 'cool' . Isn't this what has been happening now for a few years with Macs in general? It's the fringe, the 'word of mouth' that makes things happen. Now if that base is gone, another competitor comes out with 'you can download any program you want' on your're phone, Apple is screwed. Period. It will be history repeating itself.

What boggles my mind is how so many folks here don't mind Apple going out of their way to brick iPhones. I don't own one, but if I did, and I hacked it to add some software, I would certainly expect to be able to revert back to the iPhone's stock condition. I would not expect Apple to issue a so-called "update" that bricks the phone with no way of me getting back to a factory default setting. If Apple wants to have an update not install if it detects any hacks, fine. Or if Apple wants to release an update that bricks the phone if any hacks are discovered, that's fine too as long as I can re-install the factory stock software.

How would all of you like it if Apple were to pull the same stunt with their computers? Install an un-authorized app, and your Mac Book dies. Not only does it die, but there's no way for you to make it work again because Apple altered the firmware to kill the machine. It's all to make sure that the user experience is the best it can be, after all, and golly, we sure can't trust any third party developer to make any useful software.

Users happily going about their business.... what a crock. I was going to purchase iToner to get my ringtones on the phone, because I want to use music I purchased legally for my personal use. I also wanted to be able to have the ability to record sound on my phone. Little apps. like this can make a world of difference in user experience. Why are you so willing to take life as is?

magic word : "trouble"

I can't believe you linked to that stupid movie. Apple's "Think Different" campaign honored people like Einstein and Ghandi. You're linking to something that equates them with the guy who wrote an iPhone version of Tetris. Wow.

I know Digg loves the video, but you guys? Maybe your new slogan should be Think Before You Link.

Apple's Thinking Is Just Fine, Thank You.

Spark's 2¢:
1. 3rd Party software developers are good guys.
2. Hackers to break AT&T;contractual agreement are bad guys.
3. Apple needs to empower 3rd party developers for iPhone.
4. Apple will have iPhone SDK by 2008 MacWorld
5. All Apple programmers are too occupied completion of Leopard to focus on iPhone SDK now.
6. SDK and/or iPhone tricks run only with Leopard so cannot be introduced before rollout of new OS.
7. Jobs needs to announce plans for iPhone application development to dampen the fire that is damaging iPhone and Apple reputations.

@shiva105

That's just it. If you do something to your Mac, you can always reformat the hard drive and reinstall the OS. No such "luck" with the iPhone. Apple is doing this on purpose to protect their monthly revenues.

I've been a Mac user since 1992 and this is the first time I've really been pissed at Apple.