Mobile News

Unlockers losing Apple iPhone battle

Thursday 20 November, 2007

The long awaited iPhone was released last month and locked to the O2 network. To keep it locked Apple is releasing software updates for the iPhone very quickly, rendering the work of Unlockers useless. Actions like these have not been seen before in the mobile phone market.

Firmware updates to ‘brick’ the mobile handsets have been released, sometimes dismantling its functionality, and wreck the unlocking trade for the device.

Prior to the iPhone launch, an Apple statement advising customers not to use unauthorised unlocking programs on their iPhones, was released. Apple went on to say that unauthorised unlocking could make the mobile handset inoperable.

Geoff Pestell of YourHomeBills.com commented: “These moves by Apple come across as cynical to the consumer. Many people buy into the Apple brand and may expect a degree of flexibility especially at these prices.”