NJ Teen Unlocks IPhone From AT&T Network
New York Times Article:
Original blog post that contains the instructions
He's also auctioning the hacked iPhone on Ebay
And he'll be on NPR's Marketwatch
Quote:
A 17-year-old hacker 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 of Glen Rock, N.J., 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. In a video posted to his blog, he holds an iPhone that displays ''T-Mobile'' as the carrier.
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.
The phone, which combines an innovative touch-screen interface with the media-playing abilities of the iPod, is sold only in the U.S.
AT&T Inc. spokesman Mark Siegel said the company had no comment, and referred questions to Apple. A call to Apple was not immediately returned. Hotz said the companies had not been in touch with him.
The hack, which Hotz posted Thursday to his blog, is complicated and requires skill with both soldering and software. It takes him 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.
A 17-year-old hacker 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 of Glen Rock, N.J., 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. In a video posted to his blog, he holds an iPhone that displays ''T-Mobile'' as the carrier.
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.
The phone, which combines an innovative touch-screen interface with the media-playing abilities of the iPod, is sold only in the U.S.
AT&T Inc. spokesman Mark Siegel said the company had no comment, and referred questions to Apple. A call to Apple was not immediately returned. Hotz said the companies had not been in touch with him.
The hack, which Hotz posted Thursday to his blog, is complicated and requires skill with both soldering and software. It takes him 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.
Original blog post that contains the instructions
He's also auctioning the hacked iPhone on Ebay
And he'll be on NPR's Marketwatch
Comments
Capture the video out on the iphone. Doctor it up. Load it on a real working iphone. Play the video. 'Magically' it says T-Mobile, because he's watching a full screen video.
He 'pretends' to call himself and his buddy offcamera calls his home phone. You never see the phone truely responding to touches in a way that I believe. With 3 or 4 rehersals and a long weekend I could do the same thing and I'm an amature video editor.
Then he ejects the sim card which is doing nothing. To be *REAL* convincing... he should have called himself, then held the phone up to the mic on the camera and let you hear the audio play through the house phone as he talks so you could hear the dual audio. That too could be faked but would take more them then he has to spend.
Or I could be wrong and the dork unlocked the phone. (not that I care either way, wtf would I want to do that anyway?)
Additionally, either you give the market what it desires or someone else will provide it. I love Apple and the iPhone but I most love devices and what they can do for me.
Where's the video btw?