iPhone 3G will need 'unbricking' when purchased?
This shiny new iPhone 3G might actually be an expensive brick unless activated in an authorized store.
(Credit: Apple)More signs are emerging that Apple is taking new steps to restrict iPhone hacking with the release of the iPhone 3G.
AppleInsider got its hands on a memo sent to AT&T retail employees that warns them to be on the lookout for a special iTunes "unbricking" utility that was supposed to be pushed to the computers of all retail employees last week. According to the memo, "this icon is for the iTunes utility that will be used for unbricking iPhone 3G devices during the activation process. ... Please note, this is not a full version of iTunes and is for use with activations ONLY. Employees should not use this software until Launch Day."
A similar memo was distributed to employees of Rogers, Canada's besieged iPhone carrier, according to a post in the forums of iphoneincanada.ca. That memo also suggests that the iPhone 3G will need to be physically connected to the in-store computer to be activated.
We already knew that the (mostly) convenient at-home activation process that was used for last year's iPhone launch was out this time around. It appears that every iPhone 3G will have to be activated in the store at the time of purchase, and all buyers will have to sign a two-year contract to boot, before it can be taken home.
But what hasn't been clear is whether Apple has taken any additional steps beyond the activation process to deter iPhone unlocking. Since March or so, iPhone hackers have been able to get control of the iPhone by getting around the way the iPhone checks for a security certificate before loading code into the system, rather than trying to work around each firmware update as it is released.
The AT&T memos suggest that Apple is shipping the iPhone 3Gs as "bricked" devices, which brings back memories of the bricked iPhones that resulted after some folks unlocked their iPhones and then downloaded the 1.1.1 software update. It's currently possible to hack an iPhone before it's activated on a cell network and unlock it to run on a different GSM network from the one it was intended, but if the iPhone 3G ships to stores as bricked, that might not be possible.
With the release of formal iPhone applications, it's been interesting to wonder how unofficial iPhone development projects would continue. There's little doubt groups like the iPhone Dev Team will continue to build applications that Apple decides are not allowed in the App Store, but they might have an uphill battle if Apple has changed the way the iPhone 3G works.
The retail employees of both Apple and AT&T might also have an uphill battle on their hands trying to get all the iPhone 3G devices unbricked and activated on July 11, the first day the phones go on sale. Silicon Alley Insider notes a survey by RBC Capital Markets indicated that 56 percent of those looking to buy a smartphone in the next 90 days want an iPhone 3G, which is in line with what CNET News.com readers said in our own poll earlier this year.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom. 
Geez, I thought Microsoft was bad, this is ridiculus.
tim
Note that Palm has specific Treo software loads for specific carriers, and perhaps iTunes cannot handle activating/updating the phone until the base Carrier-specific OS and settings are loaded.
If this were the case, the phone might be 100% worthless outside of the store and couldn't be unlocked anyway.
I've enjoyed my iPhone 1.0, If viewed as a platform the iPhone has amazing potential, especially if a certain percentage of it is left open.
I cant help but be disappointed with Apple's neurotic need to control control every iota iPhone beyond a point which is reasonable. While I understand their desire to present a quality experience, there is a point where its less about quality and more about things less noble.
Would you be pleased with a car that "exclusively" takes Exxon gas, or it will brick itself? And that same car can only have after market cup holders if bought from the dealership only or it will brick itself.
I think its fair for them to say the warranty is void if you use another network or install 3rd party apps from a source other than the iStore. But to deny customers the right to use bought property as they wish starts pushing authoritarian buttons.
Iphone will get my money as soon as they allow phone calls through WiFi at no charge, and no Data plan sub to use the whole thing. Doubleplusunbrick!
You could argue Apple's starting to throw its weight around in other ways, but I'm not sure the iPhone activation process is one.
If 3G isn't allowed, then GPS is definitely the next best new feature.
My only regret is that it doesn't have as much excitement on the developer side of things.
Personally, I hope Apple continues to ignore these petty requests...You can't give it as a gift, whaaaaa. Was that your big plan anyway or you just pissed because it will be harder to jailbreak it?
If you don't like the way they conduct their business then don't buy their product, for instance I won't purchase another computer from them, but I will buy another phone. They'll figure that out eventually.
Oh, yeah, brilliant. Some of us actually want to buy an iPhone 3G and not connect it to a service right now. It is still an extremely useful device, especially in a city like NYC.
Just how much of the phone will be "bricked?" That term means everything.
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- by kcohm July 2, 2008 6:57 AM PDT
- What a shock. Apple announces SOMETHING and you have 20 people who LOVE it, and you have 20 people that hate it immediately. Apple could announce iCure, which cures everything and is for free, and you'd have the same reaction. Look, if you don't like it, don't buy it. There's no reason to spit this hatred any time they announce something.
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (28 Comments)I have an iphone. I love it more than any other phone out there. I like AT and T. I was honestly going to switch to Verizon (I'll admit, better coverage) until I actually go Verizon for my home phone, and for my home internet, and had the worst customer service experience of my life, every month, for a year.
To the people complaining because it's too much work: Rough. Then don't get it. "I don't get 3G Coverage" you whine. Then this is clearly not worth it for you. "I have to go stand in line at the store... at the STORE?" Gasp. Have you ever been to the store to load it up?
The sad fact remains is that Apple loses money because people feel the have the right to unlock the phones, and use them on other networks. I don't see the same complaints when the Voyager is advertised "Exclusively on the Verizon network." IT'S TERRIBLE I TELL YOU!!!
And for the people that are claiming it's a cult... it's a damn phone. Grow up. You're no better than the people you're making random comments about.