Apple today released the following statement:

[entong]

CUPERTINO, Calif., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple has discovered that many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone's software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed. Apple plans to release the next iPhone software update, containing many new features including the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store (www.itunes.com), later this week. Apple strongly discourages users from installing unauthorized unlocking programs on their iPhones. Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty. The permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing unlocking software is not covered under the iPhone's warranty.

source:http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070924/aqm208.html?.v=5

[hexonxonx]

Apple will discourage unlocking the iPhone by bricking phones with major updates such as the one coming this week. This might make people think twice about unlocking them if this means they will miss out on any new features.

[Youngbinks]

This is really rather unfortunate for someone that bought their iPhone unlocked on ebay and has no idea that their iPhone could be potentially bricked. I'm interested to see what happens with the next update...whenever that may be.

[SmartAlx]

This tastes like a freaking lie: Apple discovered that unlocking software permanently damages iPhone software. If Apple knowingly and purposely bricks iPhones that were not damaged as they claim, then they are breaking the law. They are required to allow us to unlock our cellphones.

[coop1701]

Originally Posted by SmartAlx

This tastes like a freaking lie: Apple discovered that unlocking software permanently damages iPhone software. If Apple knowingly and purposely bricks iPhones that were not damaged as they claim, then they are breaking the law. They are required to allow us to unlock our cellphones.

Actually they're not....

[OJsakila]

hmm... You guys with unlocked phones are in trouble. I sure am glad I didn't try to be slick and screw over att and apple.

On the other hand, I don't see how it could permantly disable the iPhone's software... It is only a computer and I'm sure someone will figure it out.

[nobbie]

Frankly, it's just Apple posturing for future partners. It's in Apple's best interests if the iPhone becomes more useful to us consumers. They (Apple) jsut can't condone unlocking because AT&T would have a conniption. As would any other company Apple approaches for a deal. Think about it. They're not going to brick unlocked phones. That would be cutting off the nose.

Apple warns against hacking into iPhones

The company says programs that enable the device to work with providers other than AT&T are damaging the handsets.

By Michelle Quinn, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 25, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple Inc. issued a warning Monday to iPhone customers who have found ways to uncouple Apple's device from the AT&T Inc. wireless service: If your iPhone breaks, don't come crying to us.

Apple said many of the unauthorized software programs used to "unlock" iPhones from AT&T were damaging the devices. The Cupertino, Calif., company warned that updated software it periodically sent out might not work with phones that had been unlocked -- and could render the iPhones unusable.

Hacking the iPhone is a violation of customers' software license agreement and not covered under the warranty, Apple reiterated.

The warnings came in response to a slew of underground efforts to let the iPhone, which combines an iPod, Web browsing device and cellphone, work with wireless networks other than AT&T.

Since Apple began selling the iPhone in June, some customers have complained that they want the freedom to choose their cellular carrier.

In August, a teenager in New Jersey gained notoriety for unlocking the iPhone and using it with T-Mobile. But his solution took many hours and involved a soldering iron.

Then in early September, iPhone hackers began to sell software that accomplished the same thing. Some unlocked iPhones sell online for $1,000.

Despite Apple's warning, iPhone customers don't have to accept any updated software from the company. Some hackers say they have ready software-based responses to any attempt by Apple to relock the modified phones.

At a news conference in London last week, Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs described the efforts to unlock the iPhone as a "constant cat and mouse game we play," similar to the company's effort to stop hackers from stripping Copyright protection from the music it sold on iTunes.

Some Apple observers called the company's warning over unlocked iPhones a soft enforcement approach that stopped short of more serious measures such as lawsuits.

"Apple is in a tricky spot," said Columbia University law professor Tim Wu. "It's in their interest for people to unlock iPhones. It makes the phone more useful. But if Apple is seen encouraging that activity, who would want to do an exclusive deal with them again?"

IPhone unlock kits are selling for $59 at Mostofmymac.com, an online compendium of products and services for Apple business users. A site representative said his firm had sold several hundred iPhone unlocking licenses since Sept. 10.

It has warned customers that Apple will probably void their warranties if it detects that they used the software.

"The question is whether people care," said the man, who would identify himself only as "Mac Thinker" because he said he was unsure whether selling the software was legal. "They want the phone."

Jobs created a furor this month when he cut the price of the iPhone by $200 just two months after launching the product, angering people who had paid full price.

In response to the outcry, the company said it would give $100 in store credit to iPhone customers. Several days later, Apple reported that it had already sold 1 million iPhones and was on track to sell 10 million phones before the end of 2008.

Apple's shares reached a new high Monday, gaining $4.13, or 2.9%, to $148.28. The shares were boosted by a Citi Investment Research report that predicted higher-than-expected sales of Macintosh computers and a surge in iPhone purchases.

[webb]

Well, its no bloody secret that an unlocked iPhone violates the user agreement from apple/att. Who's the brain surgeon that figured this out?

And heres the big surprise.....are you ready?

When your unlocked iPhone becomes useless...Apple will do nothing to help you. You violated the agreement/terms of use that you agreed to. Apple owes you nothing. Don't expect a refund. And don't use the price drop incident as a basis ("But apple gave everyone $100 credit!....What about me? Now I have no phone!").

I have kept my phone a virgin. Not that I wouldn't love to have some of those third party apps installed but I am not going to risk bricking my phone. Even if I did install some of them, and the phone bricked I could afford to buy a brand new one but thats not the point.

FW

PS - You wanted the phone before you knew all these 3rd party apps existed...just be patient. It's only a matter of time before Apple sanctions them and puts them on the phone.

[Spin This!]

I have kept my phone a virgin. Not that I wouldn't love to have some of those third party apps installed but I am not going to risk bricking my phone

The unlock software actually modifies the modem's baseband firmware—so you're really modifying the hardware in this case—but you can easily remove 3rd party applications via restore. I haven't heard of anyone actually bricking their iphone installing just 3rd party applications.

If you haven't tried 3rd party applications, now might be the time... I'd guessing Apple's newest software will break "jailbreaking" and use much the same methods of restore as the iPod Touch.

[brinox]

Originally Posted by coop1701

Actually they're not....

care to back your statement up?

it is my understanding that we as consumers in the US are allowed to unlock our phones without reprimand from those we bought our phone from, and those which carry support with.