WirelessAdvisor.com

YourDream84 · 08-24-2007, 12:32 PM

NEW YORK - A teenager in New Jersey has broken the lock that ties Apple's iPhone to AT&T's wireless network, freeing the most hyped cell phone ever for use on the networks of other carriers, including overseas ones.

George Hotz, 17, confirmed Friday that he had unlocked an iPhone and was using it on T-Mobile's network, the only major U.S. carrier apart from AT&T that is compatible with the iPhone's cellular technology.

While the possibility of switching from AT&T to T-Mobile may not be a major development for U.S. consumers, it opens up the iPhone for use on the networks of overseas carriers.

"That's the big thing," said Hotz, in a phone interview from his home in Glen Rock.

The phone, which combines an innovative touch-screen interface with the media-playing abilities of the iPod, is sold only in the U.S.

Calls to AT&T and Apple for comment were not immediately returned.

The hack, which Hotz posted Thursday to his blog, is complicated and requires skill with both soldering and software. It takes about two hours to perform. Since the details are public, it seems likely that a small industry may spring up to buy U.S. iPhones, unlock them and send them overseas.

"That's exactly, like, what I don't want," Hotz said. "I don't want people making money off this."

He said he wished he could make the instructions simpler, so users could modify the phones themselves.

"But that's the simplest I could make them," Hotz said.

The modification leaves the iPhone's many functions, including a built-in camera and the ability to access Wi-Fi networks, intact. The only thing that won't work is the "visual voicemail" feature, which shows voice messages as if they were incoming e-mail.

Hotz collaborated online with four other people, two of them in Russia, to develop the unlocking process.

"Then there are two guys who I think are somewhere U.S.-side," Hotz said. He knows them only by their online handles.

NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network - EarthLink - Top News

T Sizzles · 08-24-2007, 1:59 PM

People at iphonesimfree.com have done a software unlock, but I bet within a few days Apple is going to release a Software update that disables software unlocking.

Jay2TheRescue · 08-24-2007, 3:45 PM

No suprise here. Someone was going to do it eventually. I don't think a software update would stop it as their method also seemed to involve making hardware modifications.

-Jay

T Sizzles · 08-24-2007, 4:13 PM

I was talking about the software unlock being stopped by an update. Clearly the hardware unlock will work unless they modify the hardware.

AnthroMatt · 08-24-2007, 4:51 PM

Wirelessly posted (Crackberry 8830: BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

Yay, now GSM customers everywhere can overpay for the device!

T Sizzles · 08-24-2007, 5:15 PM

Well lets see...... If you buy one and don't plan on using it with AT&T it's gonna cost you at least $675 for a 4GB or $775 for a 8GB. I wonder if AT&T is gonna up the ETF for the iPhone. Would be a smart thing to do. They may not be making revenue off monthly plans for people who buy it for unlocking and using it elsewhere, but a larger ETF would help.

Fire14 · 08-24-2007, 5:33 PM

Leave it to a smart kid from NJ to get this figured out along with some smart friends.

I bet Apple finds some type of fix, especially with them having access to the instructions & I bet they are finding out the wireless market isn't as easy to lock up like they do with other things.

Mobile Mike · 08-24-2007, 5:49 PM

This proves that Apple's people aren't as smart as they think they are...

Jay2TheRescue · 08-24-2007, 5:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Sizzles

Well lets see...... If you buy one and don't plan on using it with AT&T it's gonna cost you at least $675 for a 4GB or $775 for a 8GB. I wonder if AT&T is gonna up the ETF for the iPhone. Would be a smart thing to do. They may not be making revenue off monthly plans for people who buy it for unlocking and using it elsewhere, but a larger ETF would help.

Can't you just buy one outright as a no conract upgrade?

-Jay

Mobile Mike · 08-24-2007, 6:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Can't you just buy one outright as a no conract upgrade?

-Jay

I thought you could at an Apple store, but not from AT&T...

strunke · 08-24-2007, 8:03 PM

Any else see the picture of this kid?

FOXNews.com - N.J. Teen Unlocks Apple's iPhone - Technology News | News On Technology

Poor kid, looks like he spent too much time in the basement cracking it......

No but seriously that's pretty cool for him. I just hope people don't go buy one with the intent to use on another carrier....because they are already charging twice what it would be worth if it was called a HTC iPhone instead of apple.

Mobile Mike · 08-24-2007, 8:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strunke

Any else see the picture of this kid?

FOXNews.com - N.J. Teen Unlocks Apple's iPhone - Technology News | News On Technology

Poor kid, looks like he spent too much time in the basement cracking it......

No but seriously that's pretty cool for him. I just hope people don't go buy one with the intent to use on another carrier....because they are already charging twice what it would be worth if it was called a HTC iPhone instead of apple.

This kid needs some sun and a haircut...

Bill Clinton · 08-24-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobile Mike

This kid needs some sun and a haircut...

HAHAHA I couldn't agree more. He is a crazy looking chap. He must be a smart little guy though. Good for him.

zamboni77 · 08-24-2007, 10:25 PM

Um, my parents bought me an iphone that cost them or me 600.00, so lets see if I can take it apart without breaking it. He's got confidence in what he's doing. Jeez, when custom roms were being distributed for treos I held off for a long time. Glad its a kid from Joisy!!

KyleAndMelissa22 · 08-25-2007, 7:30 AM

Jeez! This unlocked iPhone is up for sale on eBay and is over $50,000 at the moment. There's still over 5½ days left.

My guess is that it'll go over $250,000. What's everyone elses guess?

Here is the auction:
World's Second Unlocked iPhone - (eBay item 230164884672 end time Aug-30-07 17:27:18 PDT)

AnthroMatt · 08-25-2007, 7:54 AM

Wirelessly posted (Crackberry 8830: BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

No way does anyone pay that. I wouldn't be surprised if ebay pulled the auction.

dmapr · 08-25-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthroMatt

Wirelessly posted (Crackberry 8830: BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

No way does anyone pay that. I wouldn't be surprised if ebay pulled the auction.

And there are many bids already cancelled with "clearly fraudulent" given as the reason. Yes, if eBay can't clean it up, it's likely going to be pulled or seller will be allowed to close.

RadioRaiders · 08-25-2007, 1:49 PM

So the kid un-locked a phone: 1) Who cares. 2) People un-lock phones every day.
Because it's an iPhone the press core is rushing to NJ to snap pics of this nerd, and plaster the headlines with it? Rediculous...

Mobile Mike · 08-25-2007, 5:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esto

So the kid un-locked a phone: 1) Who cares. 2) People un-lock phones every day.
Because it's an iPhone the press core is rushing to NJ to snap pics of this nerd, and plaster the headlines with it? Rediculous...

I agree. Not only that but now the press is giving this kid his "15 minutes of fame".

There must not be much going on in the world...

~~RJB~~ · 08-25-2007, 5:46 PM

Plus they are going to start selling iphones over seas so there is most likely your unlocked iphone.

08-24-2007, 12:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
YourDream84 Playing with my iPhone... Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tahlequah, OK Posts: 852 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, Razr V3xx Provider(s): Cingular (The New AT&T) Devices: 60gb Apple Ipod Video 5th Generation Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network NEW YORK - A teenager in New Jersey has broken the lock that ties Apple's iPhone to AT&T's wireless network, freeing the most hyped cell phone ever for use on the networks of other carriers, including overseas ones. George Hotz, 17, confirmed Friday that he had unlocked an iPhone and was using it on T-Mobile's network, the only major U.S. carrier apart from AT&T that is compatible with the iPhone's cellular technology. While the possibility of switching from AT&T to T-Mobile may not be a major development for U.S. consumers, it opens up the iPhone for use on the networks of overseas carriers. "That's the big thing," said Hotz, in a phone interview from his home in Glen Rock. The phone, which combines an innovative touch-screen interface with the media-playing abilities of the iPod, is sold only in the U.S. Calls to AT&T and Apple for comment were not immediately returned. The hack, which Hotz posted Thursday to his blog, is complicated and requires skill with both soldering and software. It takes about two hours to perform. Since the details are public, it seems likely that a small industry may spring up to buy U.S. iPhones, unlock them and send them overseas. "That's exactly, like, what I don't want," Hotz said. "I don't want people making money off this." He said he wished he could make the instructions simpler, so users could modify the phones themselves. "But that's the simplest I could make them," Hotz said. The modification leaves the iPhone's many functions, including a built-in camera and the ability to access Wi-Fi networks, intact. The only thing that won't work is the "visual voicemail" feature, which shows voice messages as if they were incoming e-mail. Hotz collaborated online with four other people, two of them in Russia, to develop the unlocking process. "Then there are two guys who I think are somewhere U.S.-side," Hotz said. He knows them only by their online handles. NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network - EarthLink - Top News __________________ "The world may be ready for a black president, but they are NOT ready for 'The Hoff' without a tan." ~Chelsea Handler (From Chelsea Lately on E!)

08-24-2007, 1:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
T Sizzles Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 256 Phone(s): Samsung Blackjack, Motorola RAZR V3, V3r, SW Aircard 875, Nokia 6010, Motorola V400 Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: iPod Video 30GB, Acer Aspire 5610-4648 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Images: 7	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network People at iphonesimfree.com have done a software unlock, but I bet within a few days Apple is going to release a Software update that disables software unlocking.

08-24-2007, 3:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jay2TheRescue I'm Jay the Dry Cleaner.. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sterling, Virginia Posts: 10,215 Phone(s): Moto V3, A845, HTC Tilt, Moto V551, iPAQ 6515, Western Electric 302, 500, Ericsson Ericaphone Provider(s): AT&Tingular 310-410 Devices: Zune 30gb & way too many BT devices to list Thanks: 27 Thanked 25 Times in 23 Posts Images: 157	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network No suprise here. Someone was going to do it eventually. I don't think a software update would stop it as their method also seemed to involve making hardware modifications. -Jay __________________ GET A FREE $25 AT&T GIFTCARD WITH ACTIVATION OF NEW AT&T SERVICE FROM ANY DEALER. PM ME FOR DETAILS Last edited by Jay2TheRescue; 08-24-2007 at 4:22 PM.

08-24-2007, 4:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
T Sizzles Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 256 Phone(s): Samsung Blackjack, Motorola RAZR V3, V3r, SW Aircard 875, Nokia 6010, Motorola V400 Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: iPod Video 30GB, Acer Aspire 5610-4648 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Images: 7	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network I was talking about the software unlock being stopped by an update. Clearly the hardware unlock will work unless they modify the hardware.

08-24-2007, 4:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
AnthroMatt Big Meanie Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 8,346 Phone(s): Motorola V950 Provider(s): Sprint + Airave Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts Images: 1	Wirelessly posted (Crackberry 8830: BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104) Yay, now GSM customers everywhere can overpay for the device! __________________ Motorola V950

08-24-2007, 5:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
T Sizzles Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 256 Phone(s): Samsung Blackjack, Motorola RAZR V3, V3r, SW Aircard 875, Nokia 6010, Motorola V400 Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: iPod Video 30GB, Acer Aspire 5610-4648 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Images: 7	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network Well lets see...... If you buy one and don't plan on using it with AT&T it's gonna cost you at least $675 for a 4GB or $775 for a 8GB. I wonder if AT&T is gonna up the ETF for the iPhone. Would be a smart thing to do. They may not be making revenue off monthly plans for people who buy it for unlocking and using it elsewhere, but a larger ETF would help.

08-24-2007, 5:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Fire14 Easy,Cheap & Sleazy Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Union County NJ Posts: 8,331 Phone(s): Razr V3xx, enV, Adventure, 6010 Provider(s): AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile ToGo Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Images: 293 My Auctions	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network Leave it to a smart kid from NJ to get this figured out along with some smart friends. I bet Apple finds some type of fix, especially with them having access to the instructions & I bet they are finding out the wireless market isn't as easy to lock up like they do with other things. __________________ Laugh Uncontrollably... It clears the mind Last edited by Fire14; 08-24-2007 at 6:00 PM.

08-24-2007, 5:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mobile Mike Long Term Evolution 4G Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,747 Phone(s): LG Voyager, Nokia 6555 Provider(s): Verizon Wireless, AT&T Thanks: 47 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network This proves that Apple's people aren't as smart as they think they are... __________________ (1994-Present) LG Voyager at&t (2004-2005, 2006-Present) Nokia 6555 3G

08-24-2007, 8:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
strunke .:\|Always Covered\|:. Join Date: May 2005 Location: BVR Posts: 1,714 Phone(s): KRZR K1m, SLVR L6, v710, E815, E816(ampd), LG 380, 8600 Provider(s): Alltel, T-Mobile, Sprint, Centennial Devices: Garmin eTrex Vista Cx, Bluetooth headset Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts My Auctions	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network Any else see the picture of this kid? FOXNews.com - N.J. Teen Unlocks Apple's iPhone - Technology News \| News On Technology Poor kid, looks like he spent too much time in the basement cracking it...... No but seriously that's pretty cool for him. I just hope people don't go buy one with the intent to use on another carrier....because they are already charging twice what it would be worth if it was called a HTC iPhone instead of apple. __________________ www.ALLTELLIVES.com My words of wisdom and random thoughts....Doesn't matter how many people are on a network, you can only use one phone at a time...ok maybe two...

08-24-2007, 10:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
zamboni77 Supreme CadGuru Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 823 Phone(s): Moto Q9m, treo 650, lg voyager Provider(s): Verizon who else? Devices: Ipod nano, 80g, shuffle, Sirius, Garmin GPS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Auctions	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network Um, my parents bought me an iphone that cost them or me 600.00, so lets see if I can take it apart without breaking it. He's got confidence in what he's doing. Jeez, when custom roms were being distributed for treos I held off for a long time. Glad its a kid from Joisy!! __________________ I am a thread killer, and yes I was a BMX product of the 80's and love RAD.

08-25-2007, 7:30 AM	#15 (permalink)
KyleAndMelissa22 Cell Tower Picture Taker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: GAFFNEY, SC (FORMERLY NJ) Posts: 1,022 Phone(s): LG AX4270 Provider(s): ALLTEL (SID 114) (Also Force Roam On Verizon 139) Devices: Grundig S350DL, Nikon CoolPix, PRO-89 Scanner Thanks: 28 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Images: 254 My Auctions	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network Jeez! This unlocked iPhone is up for sale on eBay and is over $50,000 at the moment. There's still over 5½ days left. My guess is that it'll go over $250,000. What's everyone elses guess? Here is the auction: World's Second Unlocked iPhone - (eBay item 230164884672 end time Aug-30-07 17:27:18 PDT) __________________ CDMA....Coming Soon To A Tower Near You! Alltel User Since September 2006 - Now I'm Good Until August 2010 !!!

08-25-2007, 7:54 AM	#16 (permalink)
AnthroMatt Big Meanie Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 8,346 Phone(s): Motorola V950 Provider(s): Sprint + Airave Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts Images: 1	Wirelessly posted (Crackberry 8830: BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104) No way does anyone pay that. I wouldn't be surprised if ebay pulled the auction. __________________ Motorola V950

08-25-2007, 1:49 PM	#18 (permalink)
RadioRaiders Telecom Evangelist Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Undisclosed Posts: 944 Provider(s): GSM / WCDMA Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network So the kid un-locked a phone: 1) Who cares. 2) People un-lock phones every day. Because it's an iPhone the press core is rushing to NJ to snap pics of this nerd, and plaster the headlines with it? Rediculous...

08-25-2007, 5:46 PM	#20 (permalink)
~~RJB~~ Banned Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 35 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts Images: 69	Re: NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network Plus they are going to start selling iphones over seas so there is most likely your unlocked iphone.

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