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CNN confirmed iPhone unlocking software

4 September 2007 7:09 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 16 comments

CNN has looked into the claims of a group of anonymous software developers that plan to release iPhone unlocking software into the wild. The software, they claim, can let the iPhone break-away from the AT&T network in the United States, opening it up to T-Mobile there or providers in other territories. CNN Los Angeles software consultant Brett Schulte, decided to test out the iPhone unlocking software, and demonstrated it for CNN.

"It's completely software hacked," Schulte said after getting an iPhone to work with a T-Mobile SIM card. "There's no case opening required. It's not required to do any kind of disassembly." It took about two minutes to unlock the iPhone. The developers did not give their last name to CNN, because they didn't want to be hounded.

An Apple spokesperson refused to comment, while AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said, "When you sign up, you're signing a two-year contract. You're obligated to pay the bill." He also said, "when people buy the iPhone it's clear from our materials it's designed to operate exclusively on AT&T."

The developers of the unlocking software recently created iPhoneSIMfree.com and plan to begin selling the software. Two members of the group who identified themselves as "John" and "Liu," told CNN that six people on three continents worked to unlock the iPhone as a hobby. "I'm not in America and I can't use it," said Liu. "It's not fair."

When asked if he thought iPhone unlocking was legal, he said, "That's a very good question. I truly believe it is."

Source:
CNN

Permalink to this article

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Discuss this article!
DXR88 (Senior Member) 4 September 2007 9:17
CHalk another one up to the programmers who work for No multi billion dollor Corperation. Phone is Still expensive thou. All your base are belong to us! Set us up the bomb HAHAHA! [ + quote]
BcMester (Newbie) 4 September 2007 12:53
*Quote:* "When you sign up, you're signing a two-year contract. You're obligated to pay the bill." Yeah, this is why I don't understand your problem with unlocking. I mean, you're still getting your money aren't you? Also, knowing that it's perfectly legal to unlock ANY phone, why would this one be different? [ + quote]
muccione (Newbie) 4 September 2007 14:26
If you bought it and you own it It should be yours to do with as you please. unlock,smash,burn,sell,whatever you want. [ + quote]
Unfocused (Member) 4 September 2007 14:40
Is it possible to buy the phone without a contract? I don't care one bit for the iPhone, but it would seem to me that if one who was interested in the phone and willing to spend the money to get one could put it on any network, that this would result in greater sales figures. [ + quote]
joonbugg (Junior Member) 4 September 2007 15:50
Im a noob when it comes to this whole phone "unlocking" thing. I currently have a Nokia E62 through Cingular, but I am thinking about getting an Iphone. Can I do that? If I got an unlocked Iphone, could I do it, with Cingular/ATT service? [ + quote]
ceja_11 (Member) 4 September 2007 17:03
yup, if your phone uses a sim card, you can. [ + quote]
joonbugg (Junior Member) 4 September 2007 22:13
Cool, so would I need to buy a new Iphone off Ebay or something? I overheard a guy at my work telling somebody he got his off Ebay. I was wondering why he did that instead of going to Cingular/AT&T, but now I know why. My card does use a sim card. So sounds like I should be home free when I get one. [ + quote]
joonbugg (Junior Member) 4 September 2007 22:22
*Originally posted by ceja_11:* yup, if your phone uses a sim card, you can. So like I said, I currently have a contract with Cingular for my Nokia E62. Just so I understand this correctly, If I got an Iphone, and unlocked it, I could take the sim card out of my E62, put it in the Iphone, and it would work with my existing plan? If so, that would be sweet. I already have unlimited data and messaging right now, so if this is the case, I will be getting an Iphone within the next week, IF its really that easy. [ + quote]
navi1199 (Junior Member) 5 September 2007 3:18
Watch apple will be the first company to make unlocking phones illegal... [ + quote]
DXR88 (Senior Member) 5 September 2007 11:31
There Will always be a genaric Iphone wanabe, they already have one if im not mistaken. Bad with names on phones. i still use my satcom 545 it looks like your talking into an orange juice container thou. P.S. never will understand why they try to make phones do everything, besides making a phone call [ + quote]
lilfree22 (Senior Member) 5 September 2007 19:22
yeah they had this for a while now i dont know why people would by a iphone now they have to many bugs and the service plan is way to expensive for the kind of service you will be geting i would much rather get and mda or a blackberry lilfree ey!!! if you got that on yo shout out box you coo with me if not then your not or i 4got lol [ + quote]
joonbugg (Junior Member) 5 September 2007 21:35
*Originally posted by lilfree22:* yeah they had this for a while now i dont know why people would by a iphone now they have to many bugs and the service plan is way to expensive for the kind of service you will be geting i would much rather get and mda or a blackberry But it sounds like if you get an Iphone, and unlock it, you can use your existing sim card, and your Iphone will work. I hope you could use your existing plan with the phone, or else it would defeat the purpose of unlocking it wouldnt it? I pay $19.99 per month extra on my phone for unlimited data. I would love to be able to use an Iphone with that plan. Does anybody know if it can be done? [ + quote]
Oraseth (Member) 6 September 2007 5:41
The point is not that you own it, you should be able to use it as you see fit. The question is simply that they will not sell you one unless you sign up for a contract with AT&T. If you buy the phone, you sign a contract that has in its terms that you can only use the phone on that network (ending after a 2 year period). [ + quote]
vikasy (Newbie) 7 September 2007 7:41
After that bank details change email i received from IPHONESIMFREE.COM . I got 3 emails today and all three with new PROFORMA INVOICE and they changed the bank branch and account number. But the bank is still in San marino. In one of the invoice they have quoted the price as USD 625.00 for 50 licenses. I don't know what kind of scam they are running. But this is F***ed up. I called my bank and now they are after these guys, Internet scam and crime unit have been informed and case has been opened. Lets see how far these guys can run. PS: Anybody interested in receiveing headers of the emails and all the invoices copy. I will be willing to send it to any news reporting agency or law enforcement agency. or any other Modereator of any news blog just to verify the authenticity of the claims and also the BANK WIRE details. Rick [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 10 September 2007 15:36
*Quote:* CNN has looked into the claims of a group of anonymous software developers that plan to release iPhone unlocking software into the wild. This may be another typo. Thwas going to happen regardless someone always was going to unlock the phone it was a matter of time. like when DVD's got cracked. [ + quote]
promo1397 (Newbie) 30 September 2009 2:39
The easiest software to unlock your iPhone is http://softunlock.com It works and it is free. thumbs up [ + quote]