Why do the words "rotten to the core" and "how do you like them apples?" come to my mind all of a sudden?

And yet, some people will insist the markets are 100% identical.

I think there's a general misunderstanding of what the iPhone should be able to do.

Other smartphones with Palm, Windows, or Symbian operating systems allow user installed programs. Even the cheapest phones support Java apps. The iPhone is the exception here, especially for a device that has been called "a revolutionary mobile phone" and "a beautiful and breakthrough handheld computer."

People, including myself, expect to be able to install third party software on their computers.
This is one reason I have not bought an iPhone. (The others include giving my name, address, ssn, and credit card to Apple, the AT&T lock, and the need for iTunes and consequently Windows or OSX.)

I don't think the hackers are very concerned about statement #1.

iball - I guess if Apple were able to remotely re-lock iPhones that could be considered malicious, but providing an updated firmware with prior warning that unlocked iPhones will be re-locked surely leaves the owner with the choice to lock or not lock, to update or not update. Apple aren't forcing the upgrade onto hacked iPhones, it's optional, and they're really just reverting the phone back to it's original configuration once the new firmware is installed.

I don't know if Apple are right or wrong as I think it's a bit of a grey area, but any class action suit (if it ever gets to court) will be very interesting indeed!

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/01/n...pple-campaign/

Nokia FTW

LOL... I love the defense of the type of locking Apple is engaging in (re: engadget discussion). Every one excusing it focuses on locking that is specific to carriers.

Again, no one can explain to me exactly WHY Apple felt the need to reflash the baseband chip?
Exactly what was the "bug" in there other than the ability to be unlocked?
Only people who have never lived or traveled outside North America put up with locked phones and long contracts.
I know in Germany there are TONS of phone shops and they list two prices: one with a contract and another without.
they actually give the buyer a choice there. I'm sure it's still pretty much the same for the rest of Europe, I've seen it in almost every single country I've traveled through there.

Apple doesn't need a reason to reflash the baseband. When we upgrade our Nokia's software we normally reflash the kernel, initfs, and other stuff that probably doesn't need to be reflashed for simply updating the software.

What Apple really needs to explain is why the previous contents of the baseband are significant to the upgrade process. They also need to explain how hackers could irreparably "damage" the iPhone software. After all, if hackers were able to rewrite the baseband with a software unlock, should Apple be able to re-lock the iPhone with software?

Well Apple will be screwed here in Finland. The operators can not offer a subscription service without offering a 3G phone. Finnish law. So no 3G, no subscriptions, no revenue sharing.