LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- A group of anonymous software developers said they will soon start selling a program that will allow iPhone owners to use the hugely popular device on cell phone systems around the world and not just with AT&T.
Apple's iPhone, released in the United States two months ago, was engineered to operate for the first two years only on the AT&T system through an exclusive arrangement between Apple and AT&T. It has not yet been sold outside of the U.S.
Los Angeles software consultant Brett Schulte, who is not affiliated with the developers, demonstrated the software for CNN Friday evening.
An iPhone that had the new software appeared to work on the T-Mobile system just seconds after Schulte replaced the AT&T SIM card with a T-Mobile SIM card"It's completely software hacked," Schulte said. "There's no case opening required. It's not required to do any kind of disassembly." It took Schulte about two minutes to unlock the iPhone.The developers would not give CNN their last names, saying "We don't want to be hounded."
The said they would start selling the software, which they haven't yet priced, as soon as their online payment and customer service systems are ready. They're also waiting for more information from their lawyers.Apple spokeswoman Jennifer Bowcock told CNN her company has no comment.AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said he couldn't speculate on the legality of unlocking the phone, but he added, "When you sign up, you're signing a two-year contract. You're obligated to pay the bill."
"When people buy the iPhone it's clear from our materials it's designed to operate exclusively on AT&T," Siegel said.Schulte, however, said it is possible to buy an iPhone without being contractually obligated to AT&T.The developers recently created a Web site -- iPhoneSIMfree.com -- but there is very little information on it and no direct way for anyone to purchase the software. Internet records showed they bought the domain name less than two weeks ago.
Two members of the group, who identified themselves only as "John" and "Liu," told CNN in a phone interview that a core group of six people on three continents worked to unlock the iPhone as a hobby.They said they are fans of Apple products who thought the iPhone should be made accessible to people who cannot use AT&T."I'm not in America and I can't use it," said Liu, who would not reveal the country in which he lives. "It's not fair."Asked if he thought modifying the iPhone was legal, he said "That's a very good question. I truly believe it is."
John and Liu said they have not been contacted by either Apple or AT&T, but said that could change the moment their software goes on sale.Earlier this month, a teenager figured out a way to unlock the iPhone, but his method required disassembly of the unit. E-mail to a friend
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Prayers of fans worldwide has been answered - the Apple iPhone has finally been fully unlocked (with just software, no hardware modifications at all) from the AT&T Carrier, and can now be used with any carriers worldwide. Of course this isn’t a turnabout on Apple or AT&T’s management decision - rather it’s the result of weeks of sleep deprivation, code cracking, head scratching and clever programming from hackers.
Engadget here has the full documentation right here - the people who did it are here. They have not released the software publicly yet - judging from their website they seemed intent on making a quick buck via licensing or selling the unlocking software - but I’m as certain that it will eventually be free (if you can unlock the iPhone, others can unlock your software).
So Apple and AT&T executives would lose some sleep - and are perhaps already furiously working on patches to cover this loophole. But as we can see from hardware-software-locked examples like the PSP, you’re (almost) certainly never going to win. Sony tried to patch up their firmware from custom-firmwares and even throwing in incentives for users to upgrade, but they still failed every time to get it secured. In my opinion, iPhone will be no different.
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