iPhone 1.1.1 Aftermath
With the consequences of the iPhone 1.1.1 update, there's been no shortage of opinions on Apple's latest move to lock down the iPhone from unlockers and 3rd party developers. Before the update, 3rd party application installation on the iPhone had become so easy that David Pogue demonstrated its ease of use and utility in a video segment for the NYTimes.
Apple's latest software update, however, has made it significantly more difficult for developers to install 3rd party applications, install custom ringtones, and, of course, unlock the iPhone from AT&T. While it had been expected that Apple would specifically fight SIM unlocking software on the iPhone, there had been some early hope that they would choose to simply ignore unofficial 3rd party application development efforts.
Long standing Apple users may recall that this sort of lock-down attitude is not necessarily new to Apple, and certainly not to Steve Jobs, who has historically been against user expansion of Apple hardware. Even as early as 1984, Steve Jobs's opinion on user expandability was clear:
Meanwhile, Nokia is taking advantage of this moment to start running "Open to anything" ads which promise phones "Open to applications. Open to widgets. Open to anything" (at nseries.com/open).
Early efforts to hack iPhone 1.1.1, or at least provide a downgrade option to 1.0.2 are underway, but Apple's position on this is clear.
Ongoing iPhone coverage at MacRumors.com/iPhone.
Apple's latest software update, however, has made it significantly more difficult for developers to install 3rd party applications, install custom ringtones, and, of course, unlock the iPhone from AT&T. While it had been expected that Apple would specifically fight SIM unlocking software on the iPhone, there had been some early hope that they would choose to simply ignore unofficial 3rd party application development efforts.
Long standing Apple users may recall that this sort of lock-down attitude is not necessarily new to Apple, and certainly not to Steve Jobs, who has historically been against user expansion of Apple hardware. Even as early as 1984, Steve Jobs's opinion on user expandability was clear:
Apple's other co-founder, Steve Jobs, didn't agree with Jef about many things, but they both felt the same way about hardware expandability: it was a bug instead of a feature. Steve was reportedly against having slots in the Apple II back in the days of yore, and felt even stronger about slots for the Mac. He decreed that the Macintosh would remain perpetually bereft of slots, enclosed in a tightly sealed case, with only the limited expandability of the two serial ports.
Meanwhile, Nokia is taking advantage of this moment to start running "Open to anything" ads which promise phones "Open to applications. Open to widgets. Open to anything" (at nseries.com/open).
Early efforts to hack iPhone 1.1.1, or at least provide a downgrade option to 1.0.2 are underway, but Apple's position on this is clear.
Ongoing iPhone coverage at MacRumors.com/iPhone.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
57 months ago
Long standing Apple users may recall that this sort of lock-down attitude is not necessarily new to Apple, and certainly not to Steve Jobs, who has historically been against user expansion of Apple hardware. Even as early as 1984, Steve Jobs's opinion on user expandability was clear:
Article Link
I'm just bracing myself for the wave of "But Jobs got started by hacking phones!" comments to come roaring in.... :p
57 months ago
I'm more or less behind SJ's assessment on hardware expandability, and I like the idea that all software being installed on a small portable device needs to be pre-approved by the device manufacturer (see below), but why cannot I use whatever sounds I want...?!? That wouldn't
"Open to anything"...?
Attachment 86325
:D
"Open to anything"...?
Attachment 86325
:D
57 months ago
I still believe that users are overreacting to the closed status of the iPhone. You aren't buying an external hard drive! Plus, Apple is most likely legally protecting their relationship with AT&T by proving that the SIM card can't be replaced in a simple way.
In the long run, the iPhone will probably have many of the boundaries soften, maybe even with multiple carrier options. Heck, maybe with the release of Leopard, Apple may even have some tricks up their sleeve in order to begin to open up more ability for the installation of 3rd party apps and widgets...could it be that they just want to let Leopard get out there for a bit?
But does every developer and tech user have to call Apple out on each move? I mean, the iPhone has only been out for about 4 months.
In the long run, the iPhone will probably have many of the boundaries soften, maybe even with multiple carrier options. Heck, maybe with the release of Leopard, Apple may even have some tricks up their sleeve in order to begin to open up more ability for the installation of 3rd party apps and widgets...could it be that they just want to let Leopard get out there for a bit?
But does every developer and tech user have to call Apple out on each move? I mean, the iPhone has only been out for about 4 months.
57 months ago
Call me shortsighted, but I do not understand the economical reason behind locking a device.
What difference does it make to Apple?
It's not like they are trying to push their OWN software (not yet at least)
Someone explain; there has GOT to be a reason.
What difference does it make to Apple?
It's not like they are trying to push their OWN software (not yet at least)
Someone explain; there has GOT to be a reason.
57 months ago
As I recall, Jobs never hacked anything, Woz did. Jobs just took credit.
I guess I need to stop believing everything I read on these forums :D
57 months ago
I smell a lawsuit coming and fast. I was just in the apple store and a guy was in there with his locked iphone because of this update. They told him he hacked it and there was nothing he could do. He was yelling like mad. I felt bad for him. Its freakin wrong of apple and they deserve to get sued.
57 months ago
I can understand this. Steve probably wants Macs as simple as possible and when you add more things, the more complicated it becomes. Partially b/c of that, it's harder to make everything well together. Look at Windows.
On the other hand, people like to customize their things. Being locked into one way of doing thing is hard. There's so many different ways I'd like to do things, but Apple's like "Do it our way or leave." I'd love to build my own computer, but it's locked down to Apple hardware. :mad: If I were good at programming, I'd make my own OS, but since I'm not, I'll stick w/ Mac OS X (and go w/ Windows only for the games).
On the other hand, people like to customize their things. Being locked into one way of doing thing is hard. There's so many different ways I'd like to do things, but Apple's like "Do it our way or leave." I'd love to build my own computer, but it's locked down to Apple hardware. :mad: If I were good at programming, I'd make my own OS, but since I'm not, I'll stick w/ Mac OS X (and go w/ Windows only for the games).
57 months ago
This closed iPhone policy is a high profile disaster in the making.
It certainly is customer-unfriendly.
I understand that O/S or firmware updates can break user added apps. But what we are talking about here is a hostility to iPhone owners who have a legitimate desire to expand the capability of THEIR phones. To intentionally disable a customer's phone is definitely NOT the way to keep customers. Maybe Jobs doesn't care about keeping customers anymore?
By extension, I would expect that owners of the new iPod Touch would also experience the same kind of treatment should they dare to install non-Apple approved apps on THEIR iPods.
It certainly is customer-unfriendly.
I understand that O/S or firmware updates can break user added apps. But what we are talking about here is a hostility to iPhone owners who have a legitimate desire to expand the capability of THEIR phones. To intentionally disable a customer's phone is definitely NOT the way to keep customers. Maybe Jobs doesn't care about keeping customers anymore?
By extension, I would expect that owners of the new iPod Touch would also experience the same kind of treatment should they dare to install non-Apple approved apps on THEIR iPods.
[ Read All Comments ]
Analytics firm Chitika today released a report showing that by its metrics iOS has now surpassed OS X in overall web traffic share in the United States. Chitika's methodology involves an analysis...
One of the most frequent reasons for an iPhone to go on a trip to the Apple Store's Genius Bar is because of water damage. Typically, a water damaged iPhone can be replaced for a flat $199...
TheVerge's Joshua Topolsky summarizes the iPad 3 casing findings reported earlier today, but also adds his own sources regarding some details of the iPad 3.
Image from RepairLabs
As...
Last July, Apple discontinued the white MacBook from its consumer lineup, pushing consumers toward the company's popular MacBook Air line or the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The company didn't kill...
Popular iPhone Twitter client Tweetbot has finally arrived on the iPad, with a user interface instantly familiar to any current Tweetbot user. Designed for the Twitter power-user, Tweetbot packs a...
