Iphone Unlocked

Nate the great · 08-25-2007, 10:20 PM

Engadget was shown a successful software unlock method for the Iphone. Cool.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/24/i...ugust-24-2007/

Azayzel · 08-26-2007, 03:25 AM

Actually made the public paper over here, kinda exciting to hear. Apparently the guy (a 17 y.o. kid!) who figured out how to unlock the carrier on the iPhone said that while it works, it takes a couple of hours to do, so I guess it isn't for the faint of heart. Now it's just a matter of time before China starts importing a slew and releases them on eBay at a fat profit (maybe, I know the iPhone is overly expensive as it is, can't imagine how much this will add to their charges).

HarryT · 08-26-2007, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azayzel

Actually made the public paper over here, kinda exciting to hear. Apparently the guy (a 17 y.o. kid!) who figured out how to unlock the carrier on the iPhone said that while it works, it takes a couple of hours to do, so I guess it isn't for the faint of heart. Now it's just a matter of time before China starts importing a slew and releases them on eBay at a fat profit (maybe, I know the iPhone is overly expensive as it is, can't imagine how much this will add to their charges).

My understanding of the way that expensive devices such as these are funded is that they are sold at an artificially low price, because the "real" cost is then recouped via the phone contract. It's surely in nobody's interest to have a phone "cracked" like this - the inevitable consequence is going to be higher prices for the consumer. It beats me why someone would even try to do something like this - whom does this person think he's benefitting?

Nate the great · 08-26-2007, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azayzel

Actually made the public paper over here, kinda exciting to hear. Apparently the guy (a 17 y.o. kid!) who figured out how to unlock the carrier on the iPhone said that while it works, it takes a couple of hours to do, so I guess it isn't for the faint of heart. Now it's just a matter of time before China starts importing a slew and releases them on eBay at a fat profit (maybe, I know the iPhone is overly expensive as it is, can't imagine how much this will add to their charges).

Go read the article. The 6 guys who demoed it for Engadget wrote a software hack. It takes less than 5 minute to do it.

grimo1re · 08-26-2007, 07:41 AM

Wasn't there a Chinese knock-off already? The tPhone which was unlocked?

NatCh · 08-26-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's surely in nobody's interest to have a phone "cracked" like this - the inevitable consequence is going to be higher prices for the consumer. It beats me why someone would even try to do something like this - whom does this person think he's benefitting?

I'm not disputing the notion, I haven't really considered it, honestly, but if, as you suggest, HarryT, there is no benefit, then I should think that the hacked/cracked/whatever iPhones won't actually sell to anyone. They'll just go down as evidence that someone was clever, and that'll be the end of it.

HarryT · 08-27-2007, 02:37 AM

Sorry - you misunderstand me. I mean "no benefit to anyone in the long term". Obviously this will permit people to use an iPhone at much lower rates on other network, but at the expense of Apple probably making a loss on that device because they aren't getting the revenue from the phone contract. People who buy an iPhone know that much of the real "cost" of that phone is paid in the phone contract. I don't know if it's illegal, but it's certainly immoral (IMHO) to take a highly-subsidised device and then "avoid" paying the real cost of it by using it on a different network.

NatCh · 08-27-2007, 09:43 AM

Is the iPhone subsidized then? I didn't think it was in the first place, and wouldn't they have to sign a contract to get the subsidized price regardless?

HarryT · 08-27-2007, 10:33 AM

I understand that you do have to sign a two-year contract with AT&T in order to buy an iPhone. I don't know if that can be cancelled or not. I'm sure the price must be subsidized - the iPhone costs what? $499 or something like that? Compare that to the price of contract-free "hi-tech" phones - they often cost $800+. They are generally significantly subsidized by the phone operator.

NatCh · 08-27-2007, 10:43 AM

Yeah, phones usually are significantly subsidized, but I thought I'd seen something (possibly erroneous) about the iPhone not being subsidized -- it stuck in my memory precisely because it was unusual.

Generally those contracts can be canceled, but you have to pay a cancellation fee/penalty, and I think you have to repay any subsidies (there I could be totally wrong, as I haven't fully read one of those contracts in a really long time

)

HarryT · 08-27-2007, 10:51 AM

I don't know either - I'm just speculating, as usual

.

Adam B. · 08-27-2007, 03:06 PM

According to Ars (a well respected tech news website), it is not subsidized. link

I am personally against vendor lock in. To my knowledge (and in my limited experience), PDA phones especially are only subsidized when purchasing a contract. When I bought my current phone, I was in the middle of my contract. I ended up paying ~$700 for it. I believe that especially in this case, I should be able to take my phone to whatever network supports the technology it uses. If I like the device, but not the carrier, why should I have to give up my phone (or buy another one)?

Kilarney · 08-27-2007, 03:20 PM

It is not subsidized. However, Apple gets a cut of every activation and every monthly bill. So, Apple stands to lose money as well as AT&T if the phone is unlocked.

HarryT · 08-28-2007, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam B.

I am personally against vendor lock in. To my knowledge (and in my limited experience), PDA phones especially are only subsidized when purchasing a contract. When I bought my current phone, I was in the middle of my contract. I ended up paying ~$700 for it. I believe that especially in this case, I should be able to take my phone to whatever network supports the technology it uses. If I like the device, but not the carrier, why should I have to give up my phone (or buy another one)?

I agree with you, Adam, but what I always do (which I believe is the right thing to do) is buy an "unlocked" phone independently of the contract. That gives you complete freedom to go to anyprovider you wish, at the expense (obviously) of paying significantly more for the phone in the first place.

NatCh · 08-28-2007, 10:44 AM

Except in the case of the iPhone, you're paying full price for it in the first place, and there isn't an "official" unlocked version available.

When I bought our Trēos last spring, I signed up for the 2 year contract and took the discount. If I wish to change providers when the contract is up (which I probably won't, I'm pretty happy with Cingular/AT&T), I'll just use one of the web services that unlocks phones for $30~40. My understanding is that law here in the U.S. (may vary by state) requires providers to unlock phones upon request once the contract expires, though they are allowed to put prerequisites on that (payments up to date, a fee, etc.). I figure it's easier and possibly cheaper to just go with the service. And I feel no qualms about that. I won't have done anything, and I'll have fulfilled the original agreement completely. They'll keep my business so long as they continue to treat me well, which is as it should be.

I'm not sure why they bother with locking them any more, frankly: you're already bound by the contract, and if you decide to ditch them at the end, you get to take your number with you, and you can get a free phone for signing up with the next guy. As more and more folks figure out they can unlock the things, it'll get increasingly pointless. Maybe they'll give it up eventually.

08-25-2007, 10:20 PM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Iphone Unlocked Engadget was shown a successful software unlock method for the Iphone. Cool. http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/24/i...ugust-24-2007/

08-26-2007, 03:25 AM	#2
Azayzel Cache Ninja! Posts: 643 Karma: 1002300 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: PRS-500, HTC Shift, iPod Touch, iPaq 4150, TC1100, Panasonic WordsGear	Actually made the public paper over here, kinda exciting to hear. Apparently the guy (a 17 y.o. kid!) who figured out how to unlock the carrier on the iPhone said that while it works, it takes a couple of hours to do, so I guess it isn't for the faint of heart. Now it's just a matter of time before China starts importing a slew and releases them on eBay at a fat profit (maybe, I know the iPhone is overly expensive as it is, can't imagine how much this will add to their charges).

08-26-2007, 07:41 AM	#5
grimo1re Geekette Posts: 435 Karma: 3335 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NSW, Australia Device: Sony Reader PRS500, PocketBook 360	Wasn't there a Chinese knock-off already? The tPhone which was unlocked?

08-27-2007, 02:37 AM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Sorry - you misunderstand me. I mean "no benefit to anyone in the long term". Obviously this will permit people to use an iPhone at much lower rates on other network, but at the expense of Apple probably making a loss on that device because they aren't getting the revenue from the phone contract. People who buy an iPhone know that much of the real "cost" of that phone is paid in the phone contract. I don't know if it's illegal, but it's certainly immoral (IMHO) to take a highly-subsidised device and then "avoid" paying the real cost of it by using it on a different network.

08-27-2007, 09:43 AM	#8
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Is the iPhone subsidized then? I didn't think it was in the first place, and wouldn't they have to sign a contract to get the subsidized price regardless?

08-27-2007, 10:33 AM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I understand that you do have to sign a two-year contract with AT&T in order to buy an iPhone. I don't know if that can be cancelled or not. I'm sure the price must be subsidized - the iPhone costs what? $499 or something like that? Compare that to the price of contract-free "hi-tech" phones - they often cost $800+. They are generally significantly subsidized by the phone operator.

08-27-2007, 10:43 AM	#10
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Yeah, phones usually are significantly subsidized, but I thought I'd seen something (possibly erroneous) about the iPhone not being subsidized -- it stuck in my memory precisely because it was unusual. Generally those contracts can be canceled, but you have to pay a cancellation fee/penalty, and I think you have to repay any subsidies (there I could be totally wrong, as I haven't fully read one of those contracts in a really long time )

08-27-2007, 10:51 AM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I don't know either - I'm just speculating, as usual .

08-27-2007, 03:06 PM	#12
Adam B. Addicted to Porting Posts: 1,697 Karma: 7194 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Device: iRex iLiad, Nokia 770, Samsung i760	According to Ars (a well respected tech news website), it is not subsidized. link I am personally against vendor lock in. To my knowledge (and in my limited experience), PDA phones especially are only subsidized when purchasing a contract. When I bought my current phone, I was in the middle of my contract. I ended up paying ~$700 for it. I believe that especially in this case, I should be able to take my phone to whatever network supports the technology it uses. If I like the device, but not the carrier, why should I have to give up my phone (or buy another one)?

08-27-2007, 03:20 PM	#13
Kilarney Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 100 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	It is not subsidized. However, Apple gets a cut of every activation and every monthly bill. So, Apple stands to lose money as well as AT&T if the phone is unlocked.

08-28-2007, 10:44 AM	#15
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Except in the case of the iPhone, you're paying full price for it in the first place, and there isn't an "official" unlocked version available. When I bought our Trēos last spring, I signed up for the 2 year contract and took the discount. If I wish to change providers when the contract is up (which I probably won't, I'm pretty happy with Cingular/AT&T), I'll just use one of the web services that unlocks phones for $30~40. My understanding is that law here in the U.S. (may vary by state) requires providers to unlock phones upon request once the contract expires, though they are allowed to put prerequisites on that (payments up to date, a fee, etc.). I figure it's easier and possibly cheaper to just go with the service. And I feel no qualms about that. I won't have done anything, and I'll have fulfilled the original agreement completely. They'll keep my business so long as they continue to treat me well, which is as it should be. I'm not sure why they bother with locking them any more, frankly: you're already bound by the contract, and if you decide to ditch them at the end, you get to take your number with you, and you can get a free phone for signing up with the next guy. As more and more folks figure out they can unlock the things, it'll get increasingly pointless. Maybe they'll give it up eventually.

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