Current event: Apple’s iPhone 3G Unlocked
Recently, an article on The Wall Street Journal describes how Apple Inc.’s iPhone 3G was unlocked by a group of independent programmers called iPhone Dev Team. Apple has partnerships with wireless networks around the world that allows iPhones to work exclusively on carriers. An unlocked phone allows users to use any network carrier. The group released “yellowsnOw,” a free piece of software that can be used to unlock iPhone 3Gs. Several users claimed that they have successfully unlocked their iPhones 3Gs and were able to work on unauthorized wireless networks.
This event arose from consumers’ desire for unlocked phones. Unlocked iPhones provide many benefits to consumers including allowing them to switch to the wireless network that is best for them and allowing them to use the iPhone in areas where it is not yet released. The iPhone Dev Team, which had released similar software that hacks iPhones, was able to meet this demand while maintaining their reputation as the premier iPhone hackers.
Apple could have taken a different approach on its policy. It could have done something similar to what Google did with the G1 phone, which provides an unlocked phone with no service or warrantee. An unlocked phone by the company would be safer for the consumers than using third party software.
One issue is whether the hackers have the right to release software that alters another company’s product or should that company have a say on how its product is changed. Another issue is whether consumers have the right to use this new software to use the iPhone in a way that was not intended by the company. There is always an inherent risk with using third party software and this software may cause other undesired effects.
Just like a coin has two sides, so does the unlocking cell phone issue in the United States. Wireless network companies, such as AT&T which is supposed to be exclusively used by iPhones in the U.S., are not happy with this because it can potentially reduce their revenue. The flip side is that consumers might enjoy this development because the unlocked phone provides more freedom.
By Tracie Chan and Cuijun Wu
Comment by sojc701
January 9, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
It’s interesting to me as a iPhone user.
I had to change the wireless phone company to use the iPhone. It’s an inconvenient process. This unlock software is attractive to those who don’t want to experience this cumbersome process to get a new phone and to choose wireless phone company freely like choosing their phone.
However, as mentioned in the article, there would be a risk to expose those information to the someone who made the third party without my permission.
Especially iPhone, however, are so sensitive machine in that it stores various private information such as phone numbers, email addresses, pictures, and location information, etc.
In addition to this, there is another possible risk. In keynote about the iPhone performed by Steve Jobs, he said that the iPhone used in company has the function that erase all information stored in the iPhone. the software could exploit this functionality to give damage to users.
I think that those who use or buy unlocked iPhone are happy only with the fact that they can use their phone freely but usually don’t recognize the possible privacy damages.