[singlepic=848,300,300,right]i’ve been reading and hearing a lot about apple’s latest downloadable update for their “revolutionary”–or as it seems more appropriately labeled “controversial”–iphone, and how it supposedly breaks the functionality of phones unlocked for use on other cellular carriers, to the point they cease to function at all. and to be honest, it irritates me that anyone would be so overly sensitive about something so heavily steeped in common sense.
first of all, while it may not be illegal to unlock a cell phone, it is being sold, supported, and directed for use under very specific conditions. but to undo those specific guidelines and limitations of both the hardware and software in an unauthorised, unsupported way is–let’s face it–hacking. for anyone technically savvy enough to know how to hack an iphone–AND UNDERSTAND–what they’re doing in the process, it shouldn’t be a big deal, as they should also be able to work with or around the new updates; that’s what hackers do. but for those who are simply following a tutorial found on Google or by using some unofficial software to perform the dirty deeds, they ought to know better, or at least have thought ahead and made sure their actions were undoable or warrantied by the author of whatever software used to hack before even considering something so risky.
second, it’s not a cheap device, even after the recent 30% price slash. why anyone would pay for such a sophisticated cell phone, only to tinker with it in hopes of breaking its intended functionality so they can do something else is beyond me. yes, i fully understand the plights of non-at&t wireless customers and international users wanting to share in the rotational, multi-touch glow, but unfortunately those are the tough breaks. the iphone is contractually bound between the hardware manufacturer and the service provider; to undo that bond is only asking for trouble on any number of fronts. if you had to save up to purchase the phone, you shouldn’t have taken such a hefty risk with it. if you have the free-flowing cash on hand that the risk and potential loss wasn’t an issue, just go get another one.
therein lies the problem. for such a hot gadget as an iphone, so many people were willing to just jump right on the bandwagon and ignore the fine print of their user licenses, agreements, and warranties that now they have nobody to blame but themselves. yet blaming apple for their own gambling disorders is exactly what’s happening. some may liken unlocking a phone to painting a car, changing the oil, or installing a hula-dancing bobble on the rear sill; but looking at the nature of those changes, it’s mostly cosmetic. even changing the oil is usually something covered in a car’s manual.. they even give you special nozzles, hoses, and knobs to do it. but an iphone has no such instructions, has no hoses or knobs; hell, it doesn’t really even have any seams to invite tinkering hobbyists to monkey with its innards. unlocking an iphone is fundamentally changing the way the device is intended to work; it’s not cosmetic at all. some people will take those signs at face value and use the phone as it should be, when others will take them as personal challenges to overcome. after all, rules are meant to be broken, right?
bottom line is, if you’re a seasoned hacker, go for it. if you have money to burn, go for it. if you don’t fall into either of those categories; it’s probably best to just follow the rules like a good little consumer, and wait for another opportunity down the road… or just don’t bother with software updates. 😛
