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iPhone hackers are a step ahead of Apple

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

March 13, 2008, 12:10 PM

Two groups of hackers trying to keep the iPhone unlocked say they have obtained the beta of the iPhone firmware version 2.0, and have already cracked it.

With this, the upgrade will be able to be "jailbroken" as soon as it's released. This will allow users to run unsigned applications from third-party developers as well as those officially approved by Apple.

At the current time, only phones that were activated through a hack will work with the process, although the iPhone Dev Team expressed confidence that they will have a solution for AT&T customers soon.

A hacker that goes by the nickname "Zibri" has similarly reported that his unlocking tool called ZiPhone has been proven to work with the new firmware.

Since hackers will likely have both processes down to a science by the time the final versions of the firmware releases in June, it could be a matter of days --or even hours-- before those with hacked iPhones could update to the new software.

In the past, it could have been weeks after a firmware update before users could "safely" upgrade without experiencing problems. Either way, Apple's new openness is probably making the hacking process a whole lot easier.

Those who sign up for the development program will receive a beta of the firmware upgrade as well as preview versions of upcoming releases, meaning it will likely fall into hackers' hands before it releases to the public.

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By Cactii

posted Jul 21, 2008 - 8:56 PM

This is awesome... Cahoots to these hard working people that help try and keep the marketplace honest.

One should never have to fork out money for a device and then have it locked to some service contract. If the company wants to lock you in they should always give you the device for free so you can throw it in the junk when something better comes along.

You can find lots of Free Wallpapers for your iPhone on http://www.mobilejacz.com

Score: 0

By Zibri

edited Apr 13, 2008 - 3:13 PM

Check http://www.ziphone.org AND http://you.ziphone.org !

Latest beta 2.0 has been unlocked and activated and tested with the beta version of ziphone (not released).

Regards,
Zibri

Score: 0

By Program86

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 5:33 PM

BETA BETA BETA! you morons.

You actually think Apple is going to release the beta without any changes to the security? hahaha

Dont you realize that Apple KNOWS that they are trying to crack the firmware!!! Thats exactly why the beta released it! Its the famous BETA trap.

Hackers crack the beta. Apple finds out how and they patch it. Are you guys really that ignorant to believe Apple is not watching your every hack? Get with the times people.

Score: 0

By Zibri

posted Apr 13, 2008 - 3:15 PM

That's one of the reasons I am not releasing my own solution (ZiPhone).

Score: 0

By Tenoq

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 9:22 PM

Do you really think Apple cares overly? I'm sure it's a concern, but very much a minor one. Hacked iPhones aren't that numerous - and to Apple it just means a voided warranty for now. Until every consumer is hacking their iPhones I don't think Apple gives two hoots about these cracks.

Score: 0

By mdotwills

posted Mar 14, 2008 - 12:50 AM

Apple probably benefits from this for two reasons:

1) More iPhones are bought because users can now 'unlock them'
2) The warranty is voided when the iPhone is hacked, meaning that Apple doesn't have to deal with them anymore. Saves on repairs on Apples side

Score: 0

By Diam0nd

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 2:51 PM

Amen. Godspeed, guys!

Score: 0

By skapig

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 2:10 PM

Why do they get away with locking it down? Because the market is willing to buy it that way. They profit, so little motivation to change. If you want Apple to stop locking down its products, try not buying them. Shift market demand and Apple will follow the money if they're smart.

Score: 0

By preinterpost

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 3:45 PM

Their primary market is an autocratic society where good design is the exception and people have no problem with buying an image of individualism (or anything else). Hence they have a huge willing target to build upon and will not change any time soon.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 3:04 PM

It's about control.

Windows is allow to run in Mac because MS don't care where you runs it's software, as long as they get pay.

However, on the other hand, OSX is limit to Mac only. When hackers releases a way to install Mac in a PC, Apple sues.

Score: 0

By Program86

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 5:35 PM

You are compairing 87% PC market share to Apples's 6% share. Damn right Apple is protective! They dont have the luxury of market share forces. DUH!

Score: 0

By auiotour

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 3:40 PM

It's called Quality control, Apple can make OS X to run smoothly on machines they design cause they know every thing about the machine. Versus Microsoft who doesn't know anything about the hardware and the hardware manufacturers have to build to make it work. Unfortunately most of them want the quick buck, not the quality ratings Apple has.

As for signed applications on the iPhone, it's no different on Windows Mobile platform from Mobile 5 and 6. They required signed applications and it costs a decent chuck to do it. Hacking your phone to play unsigned on mobile is easily done.

Score: 0

By darkwzrd1

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 10:56 PM

OS X isn't as perfect as it seems to be. If apple had the user base of windows believe me flaws would be comparable. Just like the whole virus/trojan and spyware situation, the reason why OS X doesn't have as many compared to Windows is because no one uses OS X! That’s why those commercials are stupid because you can't compare the two unless both have the same user base! You also have to remember apple builds their own machine, there isn’t third party Macs like there use to be, windows uses countless third-party hardware manufacturers, image trying to support all that hardware without flaws. People have no idea what they’re talking about when it comes to this situation, if Microsoft was that bad then why does everyone use it, why isn't Novel Netware available anymore, why isn't Linux, FreeBSD and Unix more popular? Everyone is such hypocrites. Also keep in mind developers aren’t porting applications to OS X for a reason, I own a brand new iMac and there is hardly any software available. Windows and MAC OS are on completely two different levels, you can’t compare so stop trying.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 12:33 PM

It is still beta--maybe apple will fix it before the final version?

Still, I think this is just the way it is. It's just not possible to prevent people from hacking the phone. I can't blame apple for that.

Score: 0

By Morsel

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 12:48 PM

Exactly, everything is hack-able. I doubt Apple gives a darn s**t about this because their iPhone still sells; who cares the service provider to them.

Score: 0

By Bogunch

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 1:01 PM

...everything is hack-able.

So now being unsecure is okay since it is happening to Apple.

...who cares the service provider to them.

Apple does because they get a cut from AT&T and it's cutting into their income yo-yo.

Score: 0

By Morsel

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 2:05 PM

Did you just call me yo-yo ?? :-D

Score: 0

By tstr

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 4:20 PM

First they don't care, then they do...yeah.

Score: 0

By tstr

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 12:55 PM

Is that why Apple tries to lock things down once again with practically every new firmware version, because they don't care?

Score: 0

By Morsel

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 2:06 PM

Oh they care...for their shareholders ;-)

Score: 0

By dhjdhj

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 11:07 PM

And what exactly is wrong with caring about shareholders?

Score: 0

By Floodland

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 1:15 PM

No, they do it because of the signed contracts they made with ATT, O2, etc...
They have to "work" against the hacks, but it is only a matter of time. I think Apple knew it from the start but they *have* to play the cat'n'mouse game...

Score: 0

By Aires

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 1:25 PM

Absolutely spot on.

Score: 0

By Morsel

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 2:07 PM

Indeed ;-)

Score: 0

By Sexbarril

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 1:43 PM

Its either black or white in this case.

Either they explicitely gauranteed the providers complete control on the phone, and therefore made the contract stating that the phone is in essence unhackable.

Or they didnt, and therefore have no reason to worry about the " cat and mouse" game, and the updates "re-lock" the phone only because its a new firmware, and not because Apple is indeed focusing on such things.

More than likely though, they ( Apple ) does it because it does make them look bad in a business sense. And in the end are looking out for their own pockets, which for the time being includes updating the firmware and re-locking it in the process.

Still seems that a phone that provided all the current tech for sucha hefty price would be more of a concern for them, than relocking the phones.

Latz, SB

Score: 0

By Floodland

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 2:59 PM

Anyone who is not a fool know that "unhackeable" devices do not exist. With physical access there is no chance of that.
They made their work by patching known vulnerabilities (some of them used to jailbreak/unlock the phone), and nobody can blame them about it.
That justify against the telcos and users (nobody want a bugged or vulnerable device either).
But, if Apple was really worried about jailbreak/unlock they would make things harder with firmware 1.1.4 release and they did not. It is as easy to jailbreak as 1.1.3 (and 1.1.2). Hackers found the way to downgrade/circumvent the bootloader, which is the iphone entry point for freeing it. However no Apple efforts has been made to avoid it (It is risky to patch the BL anyway).
True black only exist around black holes in space (closer to us: Some political souls), and not even the sunlight is totally white, so Apple attitude is not either color but in the middle.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Mar 13, 2008 - 5:44 PM

True black only exist around black holes in space (closer to us: Some political souls)

Good one (and quite clever)!

Score: 0

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