Apple confirms neutral stance on iPhone hacking

kaidomac · Sep 11, 2007

It's really an ethical dilemma for the ages. On one hand, you love your shiny new Apple toy so much, you just have to hack in new functionality, on the other hand you can't bear to think that the mighty Steve Jobs thinks ill of you and your hacker ways. Well now you can finally put those fears to rest, because Apple's Greg Joswiak has officially confirmed a "neutral" stance on the iPhone hacking issue. That is to say, Apple doesn't plan to maliciously attempt to break native, third-party applications in forthcoming firmware updates, but at the same time Apple won't go out of its way to ensure those updates don't break third-party applications accidentally, and certainly isn't offering support to the hackers of any kind. We'd say it's a step above "frenemy," but not quite to the point where Steve'll be demoing Jailbreak at his next keynote.

fleurya · Sep 12, 2007

Unfortunately, they kind of went back on that comment today to say updates will "most likely" break 3rd party apps. They really get a kick out of messing with their customers lately.

jaline · Sep 19, 2007

Yeah, I heard they may be ruining those hacked iPhones.

If you have a hacked one, wait a while until you update the phone after an update comes out - just to make sure.

WokSz · Sep 20, 2007

I agree. Why can't Apple just make a statement and stick to it?

baggss · Sep 20, 2007

Wait, if making changes to the software happens to break the hack, then so be it. Unless they are specifically making those changes just to break the hack, they are still neutral. Anytime you hack a piece of software there is always a chance that a scheduled update will disable or break the hack. I don't think Apple is being disingenuous here at all. In fact, the comment about software updates potentially breaking the hack are a nice clarification from them so all those with hacked phones don't just flip out and scream about it.

knightlie · Sep 20, 2007

fleurya said:
Unfortunately, they kind of went back on that comment today to say updates will "most likely" break 3rd party apps. They really get a kick out of messing with their customers lately.

I think that's a considerable reach, and that last statement is baseless. Just because updates will "most likely" break hacks doesn't mean Apple will do so deliberately.

They just don't seem to be able to please anyone lately.

fleurya · Sep 20, 2007

knightlie said:
I think that's a considerable reach, and that last statement is baseless. Just because updates will "most likely" break hacks doesn't mean Apple will do so deliberately.

They just don't seem to be able to please anyone lately.

Yeah, my comment wasn't intended to mean that it is at all deliberate. I just meant that it seemed Apple was giving people with hacked 3rd party apps a ray of hope, then kind of smashed by saying, "oh, even though we aren't going after you, chances are our updates will kill you apps anyway".

It just seemed kind of odd at the time to release those 2 statements so close together. I guess the second statement was because the first produced a reaction they weren't anticipating.

knightlie · Sep 20, 2007

I don't know why they just don't release an SDK - they must have one for their own apps. Or a Java-style VM like SuperWaba.

fleurya · Sep 20, 2007

I think eventually they will need to and let some legit apps be made. They claim stability issues is what's keeping them, but I've heard a couple tall tales from from "The Jobs" just in the past year which turned out to be incorrect or a means of stalling for time (iTunes on the iPhone). Maybe they just want first crack at making some apps to get maximum profit.

DonkeyKong · Sep 22, 2007

Kinda odd they aren't allowing people make their own programs i rkn it would bring in more publicity for them. Apple could even set up a web site for people to sell their programs and for doing so Apple can get profit from it as well.

kaidomac · Sep 22, 2007

fleurya said:
I think eventually they will need to and let some legit apps be made. They claim stability issues is what's keeping them, but I've heard a couple tall tales from from "The Jobs" just in the past year which turned out to be incorrect or a means of stalling for time (iTunes on the iPhone). Maybe they just want first crack at making some apps to get maximum profit.

Well there are business conflicts there. Let's say they open up the platform, then Skype makes a client for the iPhone. Gee, free phone calls with unlimited data - what does AT&T do now? While I don't agree with locking the platform, I do see why they're doing what they're doing.

AndrewAZ · Sep 23, 2007

Just to give you guys a report.. I bought an iphone and hacked it.. the second day the title sensor did not work anymore. I took it to the apple store and told them it was hacked and I am 100% positive its a hardware issue with the phone since I have done 5 unlocks for people and the current iphone I have is unlocked and works fine.. Anyways for "being honest" they swapped my iphone out for a new one without charging me a restocking fee. They could of basically said since you dont have ATT your screwed you can return it and pay a restocking fee and buy a new one.

homer_j · Sep 25, 2007

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7011772.stm

kaidomac · Sep 25, 2007

homer_j said:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7011772.stm

I see your post and raise you 1!

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/25/apple-not-looking-to-proactively-disable-unlocked-iphones/

Haha, this is the biggest case of flip-flopping I've ever seen

Dimitri · Sep 25, 2007

kaidomac said:
Haha, this is the biggest case of flip-flopping I've ever seen

Heh, you pay any attention to politics?
I wouldn't really call it flip-flopping. It's not like they originally said "Hey you got nothing to worry about, phone hackers!" They instead made an ambiguous and "safe" statement that they could elaborate on later once they knew more.

My guess is it wasn't until more recently they discovered their update may break iphones and so they're making warnings now. Hence, anyone who's unlocked their phone better avoid this update until the guinea pigs have tried things out first.

MikeYMS · Sep 25, 2007

i wouldn't call it flip-flopping at all. They never said they were taking a stance against iPhone hacking. They just said that they weren't responsible if their software updates kept hacked phones from operating. If people buy something with the intent on changing it's functionality, and then rattle sabers when the manufacturer issues a software update that keeps their changes from working...I'm sorry, who's to blame?

kaidomac · Sep 25, 2007

Dimitri said:
Heh, you pay any attention to politics?
I wouldn't really call it flip-flopping. It's not like they originally said "Hey you got nothing to worry about, phone hackers!" They instead made an ambiguous and "safe" statement that they could elaborate on later once they knew more.

Nope, no politics for me - I just think it's funny, every time I open up the tech news there's a different angle on Apple's say on iPhone hacking

macjuicy23 · Sep 26, 2007

I think they are just trying to say nicely.......

"if you hacked our iphone.... were looking to break it so you cant use it..." LOL

Stormer · Sep 26, 2007

1 - You Don't HAVE to buy the phone

2 - If you do you don't HAVE to hack it

If no one bought the phone they'd soon change their ways with it. If people are willing to buy it warts n all then nothing will ever change.