James Delahunty
26 Aug 2007 19:42
A teenager has learned how to alter his iPhone to use it with networks other than AT&T Inc. He is not alone, many other solutions have been shown to work and several companies that specialize in mobile phone unlocking have taken up the challenge. George Hotz of Glen Rock, N.J. (17), spent his time well trying to figure out how to free his iPhone from AT&T, armed with a soldering iron. He posted the final working solution on his blog.
An Associated Press reporter verified that the iPhone was successful unlocked when he used his T-Mobile SIM card in the phone and made calls. However, the hack is complicated and requires skill with both soldering and software. In the wrong hands, the instructions will just lead to a dead iPhone. "But that's the simplest I could make them," Hotz said.
Engadget reported on Friday that it had successfully unlocked an iPhone using only software provided by an anonymous group of hackers. The iPhone has already been used with providers outside of the U.S. using a method known as the "SIM-chip method". All of the iPhones features are kept intact with the methods used. Since the details on the iPhone hacks are public, it is possible that Apple could modify the production lines to fight unlocking.
Source:
Yahoo (AP)