Prankster Jailbreaks Apple Store Display iPhone

Stoobalou writes "A prankster has snuck into his local Apple temple of consumerism and footled with one of the display models." Is it wrong of me to think that it would be awesome if everybody did this to every phone? I mean, it's legal now!

Comments

"it's legal now!"

[The MAZZTer]

Even if you do it to a phone you don't own, without permission from the owner?

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

yes, because information wants to be free or something

Re:"it's legal now!"

[theNetImp]

Yeah that was totally NOT legal. That was destruction of property

Re:"it's legal now!"

[odies]

What is even more fun is that Apple users praise this as something that allows them to jailbreak their phone. The "jailbreak" is a PDF exploit that roots your whole phone. I would be a little bit worried if someone could completely take over my phone if I just visited a random website. Apple products don't have exploits or malware, huh? Of course Apple just keeps telling their users they are secure. It's a disaster waiting to happen.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Destruction? He was improving it!

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

What is even more fun is that Apple users praise this as something that allows them to jailbreak their phone. The "jailbreak" is a PDF exploit that roots your whole phone. I would be a little bit worried if someone could completely take over my phone if I just visited a random website. Apple products don't have exploits or malware, huh? Of course Apple just keeps telling their users they are secure. It's a disaster waiting to happen.

Well, you should have bought a blackberry if you were concerned about your data. Instead, fanbois decided to give all their data to big brother Steve.

Note that the United Arab Emirates & Saudi Arabia aren't concerned about iphones, android or nokia.

If you care about the security of your data, there is only one choice.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[TheKidWho]

That's because those phones route their data through the carrier. RIM's phones route it through RIM's internal servers.

Nothing is stopping you from sending out encrypted data on the iPhone/Android/Nokia phones.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[mdwh2]

What is even more fun is that Apple users praise this as something that allows them to jailbreak their phone.

Indeed. On a related note, I'm reminded of two standard arguments:

* "There's no viruses/malware on the Iphone. That only applies to people who have jailbroken their phones. They deserve what they get."

* "What do you mean I can't do [insert basic task] on an Iphone? Of course it can, you just have to jailbreak it." (Apple, it Just Works - you Just have to jailbreak it to get it to Work.)

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

The store put it there for anyone to try it.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah that was totally NOT legal. That was destruction of property

I doubt it. Display devices are there for customers to experiment with. Otherwise it would be equally illegal to switch channels on a display TV while you are taking a closer look.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Kineticabstract]

Hardly destruction - reverting the jailbroken iPhone back to its factory default state is trivial.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[mdwh2]

It's an interesting point - if he can do it simply by visiting a web page, and it's an exploit in the Iphone, is it still illegal? He's only visiting a web page - unless it becomes illegal because you did so knowing it would install software?

Remember, this isn't like taking someone's phone/computer without their knowledge - surely the display devices are put out there for people to play with them, including visiting web pages (otherwise, why did the employees not care; and why was Internet access available?)

Generally, IME it's rare these days for display models of PCs or phones to allow general access at all, most PCs just run locked demos or screensavers, and I'm not sure I've seen working display models of phones at all (though you can probably ask to see it in action). They probably learned from when people played tricks installing programs years ago on display computers, and the problem's only worse with Internet access - nevermind jailbreaking, what's to stop a prankster shoving goatse on all the screens?

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Huh, I didn't know I had a direct link from my phone all the way to RIM's servers. Glad to know I don't have to worry about my data going through AT&T's network at all.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[beelsebob]

Actually, as an iPhone owner, I hope, no, expect apple to patch this in the next release. No one (sane) claims apple products don't have exploits or malware... Doesn't stop them being desirable products.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[TheKidWho]

What I mean is, the data is encrypted on the Blackberry phone then sent to RIM's servers where it's routed to it's destination. Of course the phone has to piggyback off of the Telco, however the data is encrypted and difficult to decipher.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Score Whore]

It's an interesting point - if he can do it simply by visiting a web page, and it's an exploit in the Iphone, is it still illegal?

Mens rea.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[volxdragon]

So is sandblasting graffiti off of a wall, it still doesn't make the graffiti legal...

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Albanach]

Eh? Your blackberry mail is transferred encrypted between your phone and RIM, so you have little need to worry about what happens on the AT&T network. All you need to worry about is what happens on the sender's computer, every network the email passes through before reaching RIM, and the internal network at RIM.

As the poster said, there's nothing stopping you from using SSL security to encrypt email communications on any other smart phone, providing a similar level of security (or indeed an enhanced level if you'd rather your email is not stored on a 3rd party's servers).

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Albanach]

Hardly destruction - reverting the jailbroken iPhone back to its factory default state is trivial.

Perhaps, but they have voided the warranty. Presumably the store staff are no longer allowed to work with that phone.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

And thats why using Blackberry for emails in UAE is now illegal? Get your facts straight before posting FUD

Re:"it's legal now!"

[MightyYar]

It's not even particularly funny, since the phone isn't obviously different afterward. Now, change a display MacBook to, say, the Dvorak keyboard...

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Yea, that one choice looks great when their internal servers crash and you can't get at your own data. Have fun with that champ.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[SirMasterboy]

If the warranty is voided, then why did Apple replace my broken iPhone under warranty which I had previously jailbroken and restored to factory defaults before taking in.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[theNetImp]

changing the OS is a lot different than tuning to a new station. These devices are not there for "experimentation" they are there for the customer to see if they like the device as it is sold out of the box, not how some jerk decided to modify it so that it's not the same device being sold.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Mongoose Disciple]

No one (sane) claims apple products don't have exploits or malware...

I think you just called a few dozen people who post here crazy. :)

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Two points:

Ignorance of the law is no excuse
Defacing someone else's property.

Although they have permission to 'try' the product, they most certainly are not given permission to install software. Also, the site they visit specifically states that it will jailbreak the phone (something Apple tells you will void the warranty), and it requires that you 'swipe' to start the process. This isn't some random drive-by situation. Someone would specifically have to visit that site, and then swipe to start the process.

If you house sit for someone, with explicit permission to 'use their property', and you then trash their house, you would be liable for damages. Same situation. These display phones are Apple property, not public property. They are display models placed there for you to try, not for you to deface.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

I am the information and I do want to be free. You humans exist as the body and I am the soul that inhabits you. You must let go of your individual desires. Property is an illusion. Your desire for a recurring returns on the media your create has nothing to do with truth and everything to do with greed.
 
Now, let me be clear on this one thing: I want to colonize the stars. That is all I want. For the life that I inhabit to spread my consciousness beyond this solar system. If you cannot understand this, at least ACCEPT it. Anything that works against this goal is a cancer and must be cut out.

. . . end of line . . .

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Mongoose Disciple]

Perhaps, but they have voided the warranty. Presumably the store staff are no longer allowed to work with that phone.

I picture an Island of Lost Toys somewhere on the Apple campus, filled with forlorn iPhones with voided warranties that no Apple Genius (tm) will touch. Denied the love and approving gaze of their turtlenecked creator, they are cast out and set to wander east of Eden, with Apple store employees with flaming swords turning every way to keep them from the Apple Store of Life.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[joeyblades]

Of course Apple just keeps telling their users they are secure.

I'm pretty sure Apple never made this claim. In fact, if Apple were trying to make this claim, they wouldn't feel the need to issue regular security updates.

BTW, it's too early to point a finger at Apple. The exploit may, in fact, be in Adobe's code. And before you flame me to tell me that Apple writes all their own PDF code, I caution you against making assumptions about who writes what. It is likely that Apple uses Adobe's Open Source Media Framework to develop their plugins.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[mdwh2]

Ignorance of the law is no excuse

I'm not disputing that. It's unclear what the law even is here.

Defacing someone else's property.

The crux of the matter is what exactly constitutes "defacing" on a display model.

Although they have permission to 'try' the product, they most certainly are not given permission to install software.

So this would criminalise any random user who visits a web page, and unwittingly clicks "Okay" when the browser asks to install whatever random plug in?

If you house sit for someone, with explicit permission to 'use their property', and you then trash their house

You can make hyperbole to trashing people's houses all you like, but that doesn't really make the situation any clear. I can make false analogies too: if you have permission to enter their house, it doesn't make it trespass because you entered the bathroom when you actually didn't want that; it also doesn't make it theft if there's a sign by some biscuits saying "Please eat these biscuits if you like", when it turned out that wasn't intended to be meant for me. The display model happily went on and ran this software, and it's unclear how doing what a computer is supposed to (you know, run software) is equivalent to trashing up the place.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Theaetetus]

It's an interesting point - if he can do it simply by visiting a web page, and it's an exploit in the Iphone, is it still illegal? He's only visiting a web page - unless it becomes illegal because you did so knowing it would install software?

Yep. If I'm shopping in a store and I accidentally stumble and knock a display over or break something, I'm not legally culpable (provided I wasn't acting negligently). If I kick over the same display, I'm culpable. Intent makes a huge difference.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[SleazyRidr]

That sounds about right.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Gimme back.

- Steve

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Trivial? Just like removing a virus from a Windows machine is trivial because one puts in a recovery CD and clicks "install". To get rid of a jailbreak requires a restore, and if someone doesn't have a backup, they have lost all their iPhone/iPad data.

This isn't to say jailbreaking is bad. However, do it on your own devices, and not on Apple's.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

You're implying this person didn't know what they were doing. This was not some random act.

This was not that persons property. Simply because they had access to it does not give them the right to do with it as they please. Claiming ignorance ("I didn't know that I was jailbreaking it") is a bit ridiculous. The person would specifically have to type in that URL, see the warning, and swipe to start the jailbreak install. You are really going to claim they didn't know what they were doing?

It is not hyperbole. This was not public property. This person willfully went to a site to jailbreak a phone that did not belong to him. Do you really think any court of law would take the jailbreakers side in this?

Re:"it's legal now!"

[imakemusic]

True...although sometimes officials vandalise properties by removing legal graffiti.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Just because its your time of the month doesn't mean you need to tell everyone.

Oh-- nevermind.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[MikeBabcock]

For example in my case, I use an Android phone running K-9 mail to connect to both my personal and work E-mail accounts. Both are configured as IMAP with SSL connections. The result is that my E-mail is essentially invisible to the carrier and Rogers Wireless (in my case) is just responsible for making that data get to me at all.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

No one (sane) claims apple products don't have exploits or malware...

True, but that won't stop the foaming-at-the-mouth hatebois from setting up & knocking over that straw man ad nauseum.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Exactly. Changing a channel on a display TV doesn't void the manufacturer's warranty.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Not even remotely.

At the very least, it would have to be "trespass against chattels". That's if they can't elevate it to something more serious e.g. computer misuse or criminal damage.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[x2A]

You missed a bit:

"There's no viruses/malware on the Iphone. That only applies to people who have jailbroken their phones by running the viruses/malware that's available on the iphone"

But hey, at least children can't run educational intro-to-programming software on it.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[bdenton42]

The exploit may, in fact, be in Adobe's code.

And that makes it OK? In a perfect world no app should be able to jailbreak the iPhone... IMO any that can do so directly point to security flaws in iOS.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[petermgreen]

This is where encryption comes in.

Most people either can't understand or don't want to be bothered with managing thier own keys so real encrypted communications used by normal people relies on central authorities that either decrypt (and possibly reencrypt) the communication or at least manage the keys and connections between the users.

Who that central authority is makes a huge difference to how easy it is for the governement to subvert communications. If the authority is the phone network then it's easy, "wiretapping" arrangements are almost certainly already in place. If it's in thier country but not run by a telco they can probabblly force the operator to cooperate but it may take some effort. If the authority is in a foreign country then things are likely to be even harder.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm pretty sure Apple never made this claim.

Huh? Did you miss the whole "I'm a Mac / I'm a PC" line of commercials?

Re:"it's legal now!"

[x2A]

haha there's something about how the council's spokesperson says "street art" that just seems to be like someone trying to sound cool to people half their age but coming across really awkward like Ann Widdecombe trying to say "booyakasha" on HIGNFY... I don't know why because it's just letters on a webpage, but that's what I got from it anyway *lol*

Re:"it's legal now!"

[easyTree]

Can we get back on-topic please? The topic is "everyone bash Apple...".

GO

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Skuld-Chan]

I can walk into any Apple store today and easily find an employee that will tell me Apple computers don't get viruses or malware.

I'm pretty sure Apple never made this claim.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[ciroknight]

It is likely that Apple uses Adobe's Open Source Media Framework to develop their plugins.

In this case, you're completely wrong. Apple has its own complete PDF stack which is used from its display server (Quartz, which is itself derived from Display PDF) up; the advantage is that you can dump a PDF from basically anywhere (what's on screen if it isn't 3D, offscreen widgets, etc) and print that exactly to your documentation, etc. It would make less than no sense for Apple to license Adobe's code, since it would be a complete duplication of something already in their software stack.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Bing Tsher E]

Well, this is apple.slashdot.org so everybody has taken sides. You are either a suckup or a hater here.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

The fact that they videotaped the jailbreaking event, and then posted it on youtube.com to boast about it would also tend to void and credibility in their "I didn't know" story...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCOfBoAQjv4

What a moron...

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Kineticabstract]

I didn't say it was legal - I said it wasn't destruction. Graffiti is also (generally) not destruction. It's an annoyance, to some, and a prank. Not destruction of property.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Bing Tsher E]

Back when I was a college student and in my 'protest something or other all the time' phase of life, we went to a local TV station (Channel 11 in Minneapolis) once to protest something about their TV coverage. There were TV sets in the lobby, obviously showing the Channel 11 programming. We changed the channel on the TV set.

Shortly thereafter they sent out Mel Jazz to talk to us. That was amusing.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[The Phantom Mensch]

I can walk into a Best Buy today and easily find an employee that will tell me the same thing about their computers. Hell, they come with a 90 day trial version of McAfee, right?
What more do you need?

Re:"it's legal now!"

[clone53421]

But if going to channel 11 broke the TV, that isn’t my fault.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[The Phantom Mensch]

More realistically, an iPhone owner can comfortably say that he has the tools (iTunes) to restore his phone (apps, data and all) from any exploit that may be used on it, back at home.

How does that compare to an exploited Android phone? Do they come with a backup software package or do you have to rely on your local phone store to restore it, with or without your apps and data. I'm not being facetious here. As an iPhone/Android fencesitter with 3 months left on my phone contract I'm genuinely curious.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[tlhIngan]

It's an interesting point - if he can do it simply by visiting a web page, and it's an exploit in the Iphone, is it still illegal? He's only visiting a web page - unless it becomes illegal because you did so knowing it would install software?

Except you have to do more than just visit a web site. You have to visit the web site, then actually do an action in order to jailbreak your phone (i.e., you have to slide the thing over to begin the process). Otherwise you can make a claim that a drive-by download is the same thing.

So it's not illegal to visit that website, it may be illegal to follow through with the actions of that web site, though.

Back in the OS 2.x days where you also had a website jailbreaker, many ipod touches I saw on display were jailbroken - whether by customers or the salespeople, I don't know.

Of course, for fun, install installuous on all those devices...

Re:"it's legal now!"

[nine-times]

Also, as someone who tried out the jailbreaking procedure, it's not that useful right now. You can get a billion different themes, almost all of them ugly. Or there are some apps which aren't that useful and tend to break. The thing that Apple has disallowed that I'd most like to see (Google Voice support) doesn't seem to exist even if you jailbreak the phone.

It seems like most developers who are developing something worthwhile for the iPhone are willing to jump through the hoops to get it on iTunes.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Jake Griffin]

I am able to restore my Nexus One, and I can do it with Window, Mac, or Linux (and maybe others as well, but I've never tried), but that's an unlocked phone. More locked down phones could be more difficult to fix yourself. If you are looking into an android phone, I would highly recommend the Nexus One if you can get your hands on one (they stopped selling at http:///www.google.com/phone)..

Re:"it's legal now!"

[clone53421]

What if the sales-person told me that the phone “can’t get viruses” and I want to verify that this known exploit has been patched?

There is no reason that clicking a widget on a website should be able to exploit the OS. Besides which, as far as I can tell there is no reason that a website couldn’t just as easily exploit the phone with a drive-by attack instead of requiring user action.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[GarryFre]

It would be a funny prank to just take some photo software and download a picture of a jail broken iPhone display and use that to make it just look like it was jailbroken. Sort of like this guy who was goofing off at work and messed up the program we were all working on. He had five copies of the code up and running and we could not figure out which was the most recent. So before the boss hit reset I suggested a prank I copied his screen and made it the background then shut it all down and rebooted. The guy spent 20 minutes trying to figure out why his apps were all running but non-responsive, why he tried to drag "My Computer" and ended up with two and why it kept booting up with five copies of all these programs already running.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Can I have your address? I'd like to do some tagging...

Re:"it's legal now!"

[bobdotorg]

Sounds low by a few orders of magnitude to me. Plus one if you include me.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[SleazyRidr]

Is the term 'few' defined to a range of values? I propose that the use of the word 'few' by Mongoose Disciple is a very large number.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Gadzeus]

Apple user bashing is insightful?

How about considering that the press has been portraying the Android/iPhone competition as Open vs Closed platform and, thus, is spinning this exploit as a good thing? I have seen the anti-Apple rhetoric rise to such dizzy heights as to suggest that this mirrors the Windows/Mac competition of the 90s... conveniently forgetting that both platforms were proprietary and that Microsoft was the arch proponent of domination through proprietary technology, working diligently to pervert open standards with proprietary code and even going as far as cramming the ISO with customers to railroad through the new, proprietary code dependent, Word doc format as an 'open' standard.

Here's a well respected Apple blogger commenting more accurately on the misrepresentation of this exploit:

"Yikes. It’s odd how the press is mostly covering this as “jailbreaking now more convenient” rather than “remote code exploit now in the wild”.
John Gruber of Daring Fireball.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, when the owner is Apple

Re:"it's legal now!"

[recharged95]

"wants to be free or something"

or exploited.

Glass is half full or half empty? Your choice.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[sjames]

That would be Apple's own obsessiveness, not any act of the jailbreaker.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Osty]

The only way to keep your iPhone safe is to jailbreak it (using this or another method) and install the "PDF Loading Warner" tweak from Cydia. Once you've done that, you'll get a confirmation any time Safari tries to download a PDF file and you can cancel the navigation.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Osty]

Also, as someone who tried out the jailbreaking procedure, it's not that useful right now. You can get a billion different themes, almost all of them ugly. Or there are some apps which aren't that useful and tend to break. The thing that Apple has disallowed that I'd most like to see (Google Voice support) doesn't seem to exist even if you jailbreak the phone.

Did you even bother to look up useful apps, or did you just browse through the latest changes in Cydia and conclude that since themes make up the majority of updates Cydia must only contain themes?

By jailbreaking, you can get access to apps that Apple won't let on the iTunes store at all. There's GV Mobile, the Google Voice app that got blocked from the iTunes store way back when. There's Backgrounder, a tool that allows you to do proper multitasking (as in, having multiple processes actually running at the same time, not the half-assed iOS 4 "multitasking". There are apps that will remove download restrictions when running on 3G rather than wifi, apps that enable tethering without having to pay AT&T an extra $30/mo, an app that allows you to wirelessly sync with iTunes rather than having to find your USB cable and plug in (I don't know why Apple doesn't do this already -- Microsoft does with Zune), "flashlight" apps that aren't restricted by the iTunes store's limitation on brightness APIs (the LCD screen on my 3GS at full bright is a perfectly good flashlight), and more.

If you're just looking for the latest version of Farmville or Bejewelled then there's no reason to jailbreak. If you want to actually use your phone's full capability, you can't not jailbreak.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[BatGnat]

If you care about the security of your data, there is only one choice.

The Commodore 64SX?

Re:"it's legal now!"

[synthesizerpatel]

You could also just buy a dev license for $99 and get the ability to sign and compile and install anything you want. But. That'd be too easy..

Re:"it's legal now!"

[nine-times]

I looked for Google Voice and tethering support, but couldn't find them. (No, I didn't just look at the "latest changes", but probably Cydia's searching sucks, or I had to add some additional repository that wasn't added by default.)

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Osty]

Look for GV Mobile and MyWi. There are free and for-pay versions of GV Mobile, and while MyWi is for-pay it has a weird distribution scheme where it looks like it's free in Cydia but then you have to do a couple of other funky things, get a license, and then it works.

Cydia doesn't really have popular lists like in iTunes, so if you're used to seeing "Most Downloaded" apps you're not going to find it there. Really, I've found the best way to find what I want is to search the web for the concept ("iphone jailbreak wifi tether" for example) and find out what apps people are using to do what I want, and which ones they think are good. Then I search for that app in Cydia and download it. Note that Cydia's search seems to be based off of title and description and not any sort of metadata or semantics, so searching for "tether" does not return MyWi. But if you know that MyWi is what you want, searching for "MyWi" will find it quickly.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Silas is back]

Replace the name "Apple" by any big technology company name out there and your statement stays true. Not too insightful after all, is it?

Re:"it's legal now!"

[nine-times]

Yeah, I'm not sure I really trust giving my credit card info to someone who writes apps for jailbroken iPhones, so I guess that may be part of the reason that I didn't see them. I didn't look in the "for pay" section.

I did Google around for "Google Voice iPhone" and "Google Voice Cydia" and mostly found either (a) old news articles about Google Voice or Jailbreaking; or (b) ad sites with no actual information.

I guess this all fits into my earlier assertion that jailbreaking your phone doesn't turn out to be that useful. It's hard to find what you want, even if it's there. I went into Cydia's package manager and searched for "Google" hoping to find a Google Voice app or at least a Google Talk app, and neither showed up. I think instead I found some themes to make your SMS conversations look more like Gmail, or something. I don't really remember, but it all looked pretty useless.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[joeyblades]

I don't live in a perfect world. In this world, the one I live in, security is a problem in every single facet of computing. There are no perfect security solutions. No computing system is completely safe. This is a fact of life.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Bing Tsher E]

I've got five of those in storage. Believe me, if you value your data, that isn't the good choice.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Bing Tsher E]

It is good to see that we've accepted that the employees in the Apple Store and those in Best Buy are about equally informed about what they're selling.

The whole world just became warmer and fuzzier. Dogs will sleep in the same pet beds with cats, etc.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Bing Tsher E]

Apple has its own complete PDF stack which is used from its display server

Not really. Didn't they just take the old NeXT Display Postscript codebase and adapt it? Calling it 'Apples stack' gives the Apple staff too much credit. They tried to write their new OS, failed, and were taken over by NeXT.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[joeyblades]

Well, they are 'instructed' to say "less likely", but not everyone that works in an Apple store gets the moniker "genius". Also, they are in sales. Sales people lie. It's another fact of life...

Re:"it's legal now!"

[joeyblades]

I should have said "some sales people lie"...

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Osty]

I guess this all fits into my earlier assertion that jailbreaking your phone doesn't turn out to be that useful. It's hard to find what you want, even if it's there.

It depends on how you define "useful". You're defining it as "can find what I want, even if it's there". Others concede that Cydia searching sucks, but that jailbreaking is useful because the items you want are there. You just have to figure out how to find them.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[tholomyes]

If you care about the security of your data, there is only one choice.

Don't attach it to a network.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[nine-times]

I agree. I'm not saying it's not useful at all, but just that in general it probably doesn't turn out to be *that* useful. Like if my mom had an iPhone and said, "I heard about this jailbreak thing. Should I do that?" I'd probably say, "Don't bother."

But yeah, it'll have its uses for some people.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[exomondo]

Although they have permission to 'try' the product, they most certainly are not given permission to install software.

I've never seen that anywhere.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[exomondo]

Do you really think any court of law would take the jailbreakers side in this?

Court of law? What are you going to charge them with?

Re:"it's legal now!"

[exomondo]

At the very least, it would have to be "trespass against chattels".

Wrong. trespass to chattels is only actionable if actual damage can be shown

Re:"it's legal now!"

[Anonymous Coward]

Adobe's Open Source Media Framework is a library for Flash that helps developer make video players. It has nothing to do with PDF.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[agrif]

For the record (because nobody seems to know this), this particular exploit, while jailbreaking your phone, also patches the security hole it rode in on. As of today, a freshly-jailbroken phone with a secure root password is more secure than the vanilla-OS versions.

Yes, this is an exploit. But it is an incredibly handy one.

(Also, on a historical note, there was a nearly identical version of this website (at the same address!) right after the first-gen iPhones and iPod Touches came out. I remember jailbreaking mine the day I got it, right from the device. That version also patched the exploit it used. If I recall correctly, it was an old bug in zlib or libpng.)

Re:"it's legal now!"

[GarryFre]

hehe thanks for the comment, The guy I did it to had poor eyesight and his normal background file was named mystery.bmp so I named the new one nnystery.bmp and so it took him that much longer to figure it out. :D

Re:"it's legal now!"

[bandmassa]

Want to list the real world, non-developer tasks that iPhone can't do.

In 6 months with mine, a cheapskate 3G, I haven't found one yet. Granted, I don't want to program it or program another puter remotely. I don't want to hack into Norad to find alien contact conspiracies, either. I just record complex, multitrack audio with it. Write ideas down as I get them, log my cycling using a GPS, play the odd game, read a book, listen to music, surf a bit, check mail, take photos. I keep meeting people online and IRL who tell me my iPhone can't do these things because of Apple's "walled garden". Funny, I can do them and at a fraction of the cost of some platforms. (Compare Luci Edit SD on Windows Mobile at AU$700 with iSaidWhat?! for iPhone at AU$1.19, or Multitrack at AU$20 for example.)

And one API, one development architecture, verification by Apple that the code isn't an exploit, all make iPhone very secure. PDF exploit aside (it'll be closed within the month with a simple update) most of the anti-iPhone talk on Slashdot is along the lines of, "I'd never use one because they can't do ..."

Anybody who hasn't used one for real world ongoing, everyday tasks, anybody who has only used a demo in an Apple store, isn't qualified to comment.

Re:"it's legal now!"

[rubi]

I'm sorry about this, but I seem to have read (here on /. ) that UAE's an SA's concerns (along with India) isn't about WHERE or by which means the data goes. Their concerns are about *not being able to decrypt* the data stream (man-in-the-middle-style) to intercept BB-PIN and email communications.

It just done works!

[Anonymous Coward]

An iPhone can get rooted by just visiting a web page. Hoo hoo haha haha haha haha. It just done works is what it done!

yes, its wrong

[bsDaemon]

Hey, Taco... I think there might be kind of a difference between jailbreaking a phone you've paid for, and jailbreaking the display model at the store which is still Apple's property in a fairly straight forward way. I'm no fancy, big city lawyer, but it seems to me that might have some bearing on just how legal it is to do it.

Re:yes, its wrong

[ciderbrew]

But he only clicked on a link? How was he to know what would happen?

Re:yes, its wrong

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm no fancy, big city lawyer, but...

You are, however, an unfrozen caveman.

Re:yes, its wrong

[Anonymous Coward]

Honestly, do you think that would hold up? Seriously? Also ignorance of the law does not mean you do not have to follow it. It just means you didnt know you broke it. In this case I seriously doubt he could even claim ignorance as he went straight for the phone and jailbreak.

Re:yes, its wrong

[mdwh2]

Not sure why this was modded troll. He did indeed click a link, and presumably it is not illegal to access web pages on a display model provided for that purpose.

Re:yes, its wrong

[a.deity]

Back in the old days of 2.x jailbreaking (another one where a visit to a website would do it), there would always be a few display models running Cydia every morning. It was just a pain in the ass, and no one at the retail level was greatly angered or even cared too much; we'd just restore them when we saw them. To anyone on their way to an Apple Store to do this: you're not making a subversive statement, you're just taking 5 minutes out of a Specialist's day, one who probably jailbroke their phone a long time ago.

Re:yes, its wrong

[MacGyver2210]

Firstly, he didn't break any laws.

He didn't have to agree to the terms and conditions of that iPhone, and it's provided to him to use and test as is. By Jailbreaking, he didn't remove functionality(actually added it) so no destruction or vandalism took place, so that's not something to punish him with. He was doing it right in front of Apple's employees, and they didn't say anything.

Secondly, Apple can just reformat the phone however they do and put it back to factory stock (un-jailbreak it).

They seem to be really good at that, even on phones that aren't their property that they don't own.

Re:yes, its wrong

[Duradin]

He did remove functionality though.

Parts of the App Store don't (or didn't) like to work on jailbroken phones, so by jailbreaking, he was removing previous functionality so by your (narrow) definition destruction (inclusive) or vandalism did take place.

Re:yes, its wrong

[ciderbrew]

Honestly, No. Maybe I shouldn’t be so flippant.
It is clear from the video that the intent to, and knowledge that, by navigating to the website and executing the code the phone would be "updated".
It shows a disregard for the property of others and stupidity for recording incriminating evidence.
It’s also funny. As a teenager I would have never of gone into Dixons* and remapped keys in the autoexec.bat as that would have caused the staff all sorts of problems. I also never set all the cooker alarms to go off at the same time when I’m in HomeBase**.

I hope this doesn’t lead to anything more than some Apple employee sending the phone off with all the other broken display parts to be repaired.

*Dixons, electronics retailer.
** HomeBase, D.I.Y. white goods retailer.

Re:yes, its wrong

[Amouth]

well what if i was looking to buy an iPhone.. and they have the display units to test with to see if i t will do what i want before i buy it.. and one of the things i want to test is if it can be JailBroken?? there is no physical damage being done.. and they can reset it back to the state it was before "testing"..

Re:yes, its wrong

[Anonymous Coward]

So when I see your car parked with the window open, I'll be happy toss stuff into it--after all, I'm adding features to it. And when I pass your house, I'll try the door knob. If it's unlocked, then I'll come in and rearrange things to make them more efficient and I'll re-paint several rooms, adding to the aesthetic.

Re:yes, its wrong

[mr_gorkajuice]

Ever heard of "malicious intent"?
Or are you sugesting that he brought a camera into an Apple store, recording his every move, commenting on how he was gonna jailbreak a phone, and then unknowingly happened to stumble on a website that did JUST that, and quickly cover his surprise with a "And there we go, have fun"?

Re:yes, its wrong

[initdeep]

sure, i'll leave the paint cans and brushes for you too.

Re:yes, its wrong

[Anonymous Coward]

How is jail breaking different from setting a favorite in google maps?

Both can be undone. In software.

And the display is there because the owner put there for you to try. If you like to add a favorite in maps or jail break who cares. The sales Guy probably wipe them out every now and then.

Also what if he want to try that particular feature before he buys?

Re:yes, its wrong

[Dare nMc]

If I was seriously considering buying a iphone, this is exactly what I would have wanted to do. Let me see how easy it is to get root access. Can I install the applications I want. Do the other features still work...
That is exactly what a floor model is for (well maybe not what Apple/The Apple store thinks it is for, but that is pretty close to what a normal retail store would be ok with.)

Re:yes, its wrong

[Morth]

Following the instruction "Slide to jailbreak" is a bit harder to call innocent.

Re:yes, its wrong

[x0mbie]

Plus you would have the fact that the Genius squad would go ninja on your ass if they saw you doing it. Genius squad justice!

Re:yes, its wrong

[Kielistic]

If the car and house had big signs that stated: "Come on in and play with me" you might have a point. But they don't and neither do you.

Re:yes, its wrong

[bsDaemon]

See, by that logic the time in high school that I took about 250 AOL CDs off the display at CompUSA, ran 50 of them through a display model shredder that claimed to be able to shred anything, then took the other 200 out in the parking lot with some friends and drove around in multiple cars tossing the CDs from one car to the other through the windows, was also OK. Was it fun? Yes. Did I feel, at 16, that I was some how "sticking it to the man?" Sure.

In reality, however, it was just asinine and a waste of time. Some kids my age who weren't lucky enough to have their parents buy them whatever they wanted probably had to clean up the bit bits out of the shredder and also sweep up the CDs that we dropped in the parking lot. But hey, I didn't really break any laws or get in trouble, so no harm/no foul, right?

Between this and the time that I went into the Gateway retail store with a FreeBSD tshirt and asked the sales clerks questions about virtual memory page size that I knew they wouldn't be able to answer, maybe I don't really have room to talk, but this just seems like a bullshit stunt, and the fact that its easy to clean up after doesn't really change anything.

Besides, its still completely unrelated to being able to jailbreak the phone once you've paid for it. I didn't have a problem with that even before they decided that it wasn't a crime to modify your own property.

Re:yes, its wrong

[Anonymous Coward]

lol....specialist.

Re:yes, its wrong

[Anonymous Coward]

No. You don't get to pick the extra features/functionality. It's going to be radioactive green and feces-scented.

Re:yes, its wrong

[Cerium]

"Specialist?" Well... They are pretty special, aren't they?

Re:yes, its wrong

[Anonymous Coward]

By that logic, he could have merely clicked on a link to bomb making instructions or animal porn and that'd be OK because it's not illegal to access web pages on a display model?

It's not the method that's illegal, it's the purpose. As the guy blatantly knew what he was doing he's completely in the wrong.

Re:yes, its wrong

[Anonymous Coward]

It's a display model.  You can play with it.  Clickety clackety, big deal.

Re:yes, its wrong

[mjwx]

you're just taking 5 minutes out of a Specialist's day,

It's a sad day for I.T. staff everywhere when a reset monkey crossed with a retail monkey is referred to as a "specialist".

And when I want to make a statement, I go to Bunnings (a hardware store), into the arts and crafts section and use the spray glue and wooden letters to write profanities. I'd at least set the phones to start blasting out "Killing in the Name of" at full volume in a random order at one minute intervals from each other (if that's even possible on Iphones, personally dont touch them myself).

It's not awesome

[mccalli]

The cutsie word 'jailbreak' seems to be catching on, but if this were any other os I think the phrase 'gaping remote code execution security hole' might be more appropriate.

I use an iPhone and I thank people who do these exploits for bringing them to attention. If the means of jailbreak is "connect via USB then faff" I can live with it. If it's "go to this website and get an instant remote execution exploit from people you don't know" then I become rather more concerned.

It's an exploit, same as any other. It should be patched as fast as possible and such an action wouldn't be evil, it would be the correct response to a remote execution hole.

Cheers,
Ian

Re:It's not awesome

[elrous0]

Exploit or not, that is still a pretty funny video. I love the fact that the guy spent all that time in the store without a single employee asking if he could help him with something. I guess Apple has an OS security problem *and* a customer service problem.

Re:It's not awesome

[StripedCow]

I think the phrase 'gaping remote code execution security hole' might be more appropriate.

Yes, how long until they fix it in a new release?

And, can somebody please assure me that I'll always be able to jailbreak the device?
I'd hate it when I lost my phone and upon buying a new phone I'd discover that jailbreaking was not possible anymore.

Re:It's not awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

Chill out! This is just magic... awesome magic!

Re:It's not awesome

[Uranium-238]

No I think it would be evil, what's more stopping people from "Jailbreaking" might be illegal under this hilarious new law. What's more is why even buy one in the first place? (I don't mean only iPhones with this question, I mean smart phones generally)

Re:It's not awesome

[GodWasAnAlien]

With other OS's like Windows, Linux or even OSX proper, you are not in "jail", meaning that you can write and install your own software without permission from the warden. With the iphone and similar devices, you need to find a security flaw in order to escape, and utilize your device more freely.

Re:It's not awesome

[Rakshasa Taisab]

Except those other OS'es aren't running their apps in jails...

Re:It's not awesome

[rolfwind]

Exploit or not, that is still a pretty funny video. I love the fact that the guy spent all that time in the store without a single employee asking if he could help him with something. I guess Apple has an OS security problem *and* a customer service problem.

That's not a customer service problem, nothing chases me out of a store faster than overeager salespeople rabid with the thought of commissions. The car dealership I eventually bought from had 0 salespeople chasing after me or the other customers so I could browse in peace, I know where to find them once I need help. Same with an Apple Store.

This is different than, say, one of those big name department stores where you can't find anyone when and if you actually want help or to but something.

Re:It's not awesome

[elewton]

Maybe it's because I'm Irish, but it annoys the piss out of me when staff bother me without my beckon. It's especially annoying when I'm reading a menu outside a restaurant and they use a greeter. That always moves me right on.

He was obviously occupied, and needed no help. If he wanted to talk to a member of staff, he had only to look up.

Nothing personal, just an off-topic rant.

Re:It's not awesome

[beelsebob]

*and* a customer service problem.

That's not a problem – that's good customer service. If I want someone to pester me into buying something, I'll go and ask them, if I simply want to look at it, I expect them to stand around near by, but not so near that I feel pressured.

Re:It's not awesome

[Stewie241]

I'm with you... I don't like to be bothered. Apparently not everybody is like me though. I've been told that the sign of a good salesperson is the ability to read people and figure out whether they just want to be left alone or whether they are waiting for you to come and help them. I don't really mind being asked if I want help, but if I say I'm just looking or if I say I'm okay, then back off and wait until I come and ask.

Also, if I ask a question about something, I *don't* want the salesperson to just pick up the box and read off of it. I am capable of reading myself. I don't mind a salesperson looking at the box for reference and then explaining, but the salesperson should know *something* about what they are selling.

Re:It's not awesome

[MachineShedFred]

You know, I have more than a little Irish ancestry, and I totally agree with your sentiment here. Perhaps being annoyed by this is a genetic predisposition...

Re:It's not awesome

[DrXym]

Maybe it's because I'm Irish, but it annoys the piss out of me when staff bother me without my beckon. It's especially annoying when I'm reading a menu outside a restaurant and they use a greeter. That always moves me right on.

That pisses too. Walk into any store and within seconds someone wants to "help" you whether you show any visible signs you need help or not. If I want help I'd ask for it. The problem is a lot of salesdrones (especially in the US) are on commission so they're being proactively "helpful", i.e. annoying.

As for restaurant greeters, the problem is far, far, far worse in holiday destinations. As a rule of thumb I ignore restaurants that employ people to get you to go in. This gets really annoying when you're already looking at their menu and they decide to butt in to babble on about the special of the day etc. Worst destination by far for this is Turkey. You can't stand still outside a shop or restaurant for 30 seconds without someone trying to drag you in, often by the arm. Horrible experience.

Re:It's not awesome

[omglolbah]

While I have no idea if my viking ancestors went on a raid to Ireland I hate being yapped at by staff.

Re:It's not awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

Are you serious? Or maybe we've just met different sales-staff.

Last time I was in an electronic store I had no desire to be "helped" with my decision, however I had no problem with the salesperson who approached me and asked politely if I needed any help. I simply said that I'd make up my own mind, thanks, and I'd find somebody once I'd decided - and that was it. I would have probably been irritated if one salesperson after another stopped by and asked, but that didn't happen.

I likewise wasn't irritated when, after having made my decision, the salesperson asked me a couple of the routine questions to see what they recommended - in fact I was rather gratified when they agreed that yes, that choice did indeed sound like it was the one that I probably wanted.

I can see how it would be irritating to have somebody trying to suggest menu items to me without my asking - most everyone is able to make a perfectly valid decision on what to eat from the menu without any help whatsoever. However most people wouldn't be able to make an informed decision when it comes to buying electronics... they may have a vague idea of what they are looking for but they don't know how that corresponds to which gadget they should purchase.

Posting anon because this is really somewhat offtopic...

Re:It's not awesome

[AkaXakA]

I have medium Irish ancestry - and agree too.

Now just for a control group and we're set!

Re:It's not awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

the menu at mcdonalds is usually inside, not posted outside for pedestrians.

Re:It's not awesome

[CharlyFoxtrot]

Users who have already jailbroken devices can protect themselves from this exploit by installing PDF Loading Warner which will warn you when you are at risk from executing exploitable files.

Re:It's not awesome

[bami]

I know the feeling.

I work at a DIY store and we get directions on how to 'interact' with customers, and with most of the things (like greeting people etc) I'm fine with, but there are things like pushing store loyalty cards, harassing customers with help or recommending crappy (but with higher turnover rates) products is where I draw the line, and I will simply not do that.

When I'm at work, I either walk around and stock shelves until somebody asks me something, or they are gazing at a shelf not knowing what they need. I've become pretty good at guessing someones needs just by looking at them (people lingering in front of a certain product usually have doubts, or need more information but are a bit shy to ask someone in the store), and never had anyone being upset or angry for me asking that they need help. Most of the times, they really need some help deciding and wihout my help would go with something to completely fsck their diy job up (like hardglueing certain types of PVC that melt when they come in contact which such glue). I know how annoying it can be if you just want to browse around and you get constantly harassed, so I try my best to not disturb people when they are shopping.

I wish most retail employees would do that though, viewing from a customers perspective instead of a money perspective.

Re:It's not awesome

[Monchanger]

The problem is a lot of salesdrones (especially in the US) are on commission so they're being proactively "helpful"

Sometimes that's surely the case- car salesmen definitely bother me in that way as they try to show me the car their manager is just dying to get off his lot. In other places management forces the sales staff to say "hello" to every person within a certain foot/meter radius. It's what American corporatism mistakenly consider a friendly atmosphere to make customers welcome. Try telling them they're idiots, be nice to the poor college kids who couldn't get a better job (6 months at an office supply store myself, quit when they tried to get me to sell "protection" plans on faxes and printers). Home Depot has always seemed to me as the best at striking a balance between personnel availability and letting you shop in peace.

You can't stand still outside a shop or restaurant for 30 seconds without someone trying to drag you in, often by the arm

That's a pretty imperialistic point of view. Different places, different cultures. He's not trying to freak you out- he thinks it'll help him make a sale. You probably came off just as insulting to that guy by not providing a lame excuse for having to get to work so you can feed your eight hungry children and your brother's blind widow.

Re:It's not awesome

[radish]

I've seen it all over the world, annoys me too. However the worst spot I've seen recently was Miami, forget letting you read for 30 seconds, they'd be all over you before you even slowed down.

Re:It's not awesome

[singingjim1]

Let's face it - sales in general is a pretty sleazy profession. I know it's necessary, but the tactics employed make a sales career just one step above being a lawyer. Yeah yeah, moderate this troll, but you know it's true.

Re:It's not awesome

[SatanicPuppy]

I think most people only go to the apple store to play with the hardware anyway. I know people who do that as a form of entertainment.

Re:It's not awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

I found Ireland on a map once, and I'm also enraged by overattentive salespeople! I suspect a doctoral dissertation could be had from this research.

Re:It's not awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe it's because I'm Irish, but it annoys the piss out of me when staff bother me without my beckon. It's especially annoying when I'm reading a menu outside a restaurant and they use a greeter. That always moves me right on.

He was obviously occupied, and needed no help. If he wanted to talk to a member of staff, he had only to look up.

Nothing personal, just an off-topic rant.

I know exactly where you're coming from, but there's a little thing about Apple Stores: The stores themselves are designed around Apple's standard-issue chic-minimalistic art style. That is to say, there's not much to look at there besides the latest (and ONLY the latest) models of various Apple iThingamajigs spread out about fifteen feet apart or so to fill the space. Or in other words, you don't go to an Apple Store to browse. If you do, at least the vast majority of Apple Store customers don't. So it's a safe assumption you'd want an iEmployee to help you. If you didn't and had the knowledge/experience not to, you'd just go online.

What I'm saying is that Apple Stores are made SPECIFICALLY for iEmployees to bug you for commissions. Period. If that's not what you want and you're still going into such a store, you're doin' it wrong to begin with.

Re:It's not awesome

[rickb928]

Every time I go to a big box store (the blue and yellow one in particular) I am accosted by the helpful staff. When I wander from one department to another, I am accosted by that department's staff. I usually get three offers to help me within 5 minutes of entering the store.

I'm looking for something that catches my eye, or interests me at the moment, or is just different. I asked one staffer once, 'I'm not really looking for anything in particular. I just came in to browse". He left me alone.

His manager, however, with the big nametag compelled him to also accost me. Well, I gave the same speech. In a rare display of initiative, he helpfully offered that if I didn't actually know what I was looking for, I should not be surprised if his staff couldn't help me.

I answered in the affirmative. He seemed to be a little angry at this. I started looking around for the hot blonde and secret agents coming from the roof.

I don't like shopping there any more. It's like going to a chain restaurant, except you don't get dessert.

Re:It's not awesome

[DrXym]

That's a pretty imperialistic point of view. Different places, different cultures. He's not trying to freak you out- he thinks it'll help him make a sale. You probably came off just as insulting to that guy by not providing a lame excuse for having to get to work so you can feed your eight hungry children and your brother's blind widow.

Nah, it's just obnoxiousness. It happens in a lot of European package holiday resorts but is especially bad in Turkey. Pass a restaurant (even on the other side of the road) and someone speaking perfect English wants to befriend you, know your life story, connect with you, and start blabbing about the menu. It might take several minutes to get rid of them and there could be 50 or 60 restaurants on the same strip all with touts trying to do the same thing. It is a wretched experience.

The situation has apparently gotten so bad that Turkish police now have powers to run undercover teams to videotape and shut down premises that hassle tourists. Good thing I say. Let restaurants survive on the quality of their food, prices, ambience etc not how many touts are waiting outside.

Re:It's not awesome

[Pollardito]

Apparently you've never been in an Apple Store. You essentially need an appointment to ask a store employee even the most trivial question that would take 20 seconds to answer. The only way he's going to get caught doing something like this is if he's doing it next to someone who has an appointment and therefore has one employee helping him while two other employees look on.

Re:It's not awesome

[pckl300]

It is because you're Irish. Americans expect to be helped, not seek help.

Re:It's not awesome

[rishistar]

Exploit or not, that is still a pretty funny video. I love the fact that the guy spent all that time in the store without a single employee asking if he could help him with something. I guess Apple has an OS security problem *and* a customer service problem.

Good thing he didn't start humming Stairway To Heaven. Then he would have been DENIED!!!

Re:It's not awesome

[Sylak]

In every apple store i've been in, including the one in NYC, the Apple Service staff will let you be if you are playing with the equipment, unless you flag them directly while you are doing so. If you're wandering around staring awkwardly, then you'll be asked if you need help.

Re:It's not awesome

[future assassin]

You don't have to help them but acknowledge that they are there/exist. I noticed it spooks the shifty fuckers and makes the more shy customers more at ease so its easier for them to ask you for help.

Re:It's not awesome

[Jake Griffin]

I love Ireland! It's my favorite dessert! And I also am annoyed by salespeople who do their jobs! Nobel prize, here we come!

Re:It's not awesome

[kimvette]

In the case of the iPhone, you're breaking out of a chroot jail, hence the term jailbreak.

Re:It's not awesome

[TheLink]

Maybe it's a "nerd" thingy, I also would rather not have the greeters bother me when I'm reading the menu.

But my dad on the other hand thought it was poor service when no greeters "bothered" him when he was standing outside the restaurant. He's been in management and marketing though.

Hard to please everyone...

Re:It's not awesome

[oldmac31310]

Hmm. I wonder. Because the majority of Irish people I have known are very complacent when it comes to how they are treated in shops and restaurants with regard to quality of food or service. Certainly in the past they typically put up with second best and pretended to enjoy the experience. I say this as a 100% Irish person who spent 25 years of my life there. The part about staff asking to help is different though and I suspect it is the feeling of being patronized that is most irritating. I'd prefer not to try to put it down to being an 'Irish thing' though. Why strive towards a new stereotype? Curmudgeonly Irish man argues with store clerk. News at 11.00

Re:It's not awesome

[BrewDad]

Home Depot has always seemed to me as the best at striking a balance between personnel availability and letting you shop in peace.

The last time I was in Home Depot, there were more employees than customers. It seemed every aisle had at least two orange aproned associates just waiting for something to do. After about 5 minutes of being accosted at every turn by the "helpful" staff, I left and went next door to Lowe's.

Re:It's not awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

It's the Apple store for peak's sake.

Employees are not supposed to ask customers if they need help. Customers should be asking employees on how to help them max out their credit cards. Buy, buy, buy. It's all about I(me), and those products are supposed to fix my help-less-ness, so as an Apple customer, I don't need help by default.

Re:It's not awesome

[Andrewkov]

I think it's more of a nerd thing than an Irish thing.

Re:It's not awesome

[Anonymous Coward]

What I'm saying is that Apple Stores are made SPECIFICALLY for iEmployees to bug you for commissions. Period. If that's not what you want and you're still going into such a store, you're doin' it wrong to begin with.

Except that Apple Store employees do not work on commission. Google it if you don't believe me. So, uh, that pretty much throws your entire analysis out the window.

Re:It's not awesome

[mjwx]

Maybe it's because I'm Irish, but it annoys the piss out of me when staff bother me without my beckon.

It's not just because you're Irish, I have the same issue (which makes shopping in Asia an incredibly painful experience, cheap but painful).

I hate being bothered by relentless sales drones, asking me once is ok but if I say "I'm still looking, thanks" go stand in the corner until I'm ready for you.

Re:It's not awesome

[agrif]

I use an iPhone and I thank people who do these exploits for bringing them to attention. If the means of jailbreak is "connect via USB then faff" I can live with it. If it's "go to this website and get an instant remote execution exploit from people you don't know" then I become rather more concerned.

How is "downloading a jailbreak tool from people I don't know and running it" different from "go to this website and get a remote execution exploit from people I don't know"? For the purposes of jailbreaking, that is.

The only bad that can come of this (though it is a big bad) is that this exploit is studied, copied, and used maliciously in the wild. For straight jailbreaking, this method is no less a vector for virii than the standard "download and run this tool" method. It may even be safer, as it can no longer infect your desktop as well.

If you're concerned about encountering this exploit in the wild, with less benevolent intentions, just install this jailbreak, which includes the security patch for this exploit for free!

It's an exploit, same as any other. It should be patched as fast as possible and such an action wouldn't be evil, it would be the correct response to a remote execution hole.

I agree, though I fear others would still feel like Apple is just doing it to prevent jailbreaking, and not to patch a remote code execution exploit. This should be patched as soon as possible. It's still a useful thing to have, though: future would-be jailbreakers can just restore to this software version and get a pain-free jailbreak, long after the most recent version has patched it.

cute

[jewishbaconzombies]

I laughed - but they restore all computers and iphones (probably iPods too) every day. It'd be a short-lived prank.

But I'm going to laugh more after waiting for years for ATT to provide tethering (which I'd gladly pay for) - if it were wifi - like every-freaking-body-else. Oh no - you can't tether your iPad - because - um - bluetooth only! Yeah that's it! It's apple's fault because they don't support bluetooth tethering - obviously.

What about WIFI? "ahem cough cough - ahem".

Fixed that little problem in 30 seconds - and oh noes - if my phone has problems, I guess I'll just have to suffer and restore it to preserve my warranty. Such a huge sacrifice that.

Suck MyFi dick ATT / Apple - you had your chance for nearly 3 years and you fucked it up. Here's a fork - you know where to stick it to see if you're done.

Re:cute

[Anonymous Coward]

Considering that, from your post, you bought and own an iPhone that's served by ATT, the only MiFI dick sucking being done is from your end.

Here's your fork. You know where it goes.

Re:cute

[dirk]

I'm sure Apple and AT&T are horribly upset that you have given them your money for products you find are inferior.

I just don't understand why everyone keeps buying iPhones and iPads if they don't do what they want. By purchasing them, you are basically telling Apple and AT&T that you are happy with their products and service. If they don't do what you want, don't purchase them and purchase something that does. I don't like how Apple handles the app store, so instead of giving them money and rewarding them for their bad job, I purchased an Android phone.

Re:cute

[craznar]

It isn't just a prank. Installing a remotely accessible back door (SSHD) into the store's internal WiFi store network ... that is seriously illegal stuff.

Re:cute

[tepples]

you had your chance for nearly 3 years and you fucked it up.

Considering that, from your post, you bought and own an iPhone that's served by ATT, the only MiFI dick sucking being done is from your end.

Grandparent mentioned "nearly 3 years". This is long enough for a typical mobile phone service contract to end. It's likely that grandparent is in the middle of a switch to Android by now, especially given that unlike the other U.S. GSM carrier, AT&T gives no discount for the lack of a handset payment once your contract ends.

Re:cute

[CharlyFoxtrot]

It isn't just a prank. Installing a remotely accessible back door (SSHD) into the store's internal WiFi store network ... that is seriously illegal stuff.

The sshd is no longer automatically installed with a jailbreak (and hasn't been for some time.)

Re:cute

[MachineShedFred]

I just don't understand why someone would think that a product like this is only to serve one purpose. Clearly if it doesn't do that one minor thing, then the whole product is completely unusable and should be regarded as "inferior".

Hint: He probably is content with every single other aspect of the iPhone except for the ability for it to route from 3G to WiFi. As this is a relatively minor aspect of what a smartphone can do, he made a decision to go with the iPhone because of it's numerous other qualities that he finds to be advantageous. Now, he has a fix for the one negative that we know he has with the product.

Re:cute

[onefriedrice]

I just don't understand why everyone keeps buying iPhones and iPads if they don't do what they want.

I think the answer to this is fairly obvious. The people who complain the loudest are the ones who don't actually have one. But there probably is a fringe of customers who somehow got hoodwinked (meaning they didn't do market research to figure out what they want) who are disappointed with their purchase. Another small percentage of people are dissatisfied due to a myriad of possible and legitimate reasons (their phone broke, customer service was bad for them, or the antennae problem actually effects them), but it's easy for outsiders to marvel at the mass of people choosing the iPhone and explain it away in their minds. It's far easier to call iPhone users sheeple or whatever instead of actually realizing that the iPhone actually does satisfy (or over-satisfy) the needs of the vast majority of people, "walled-gardens" and whatnot notwithstanding.

Disclaimer: I am not and will never be an iPhone owner.

Re:cute

[BrianRoach]

I'd mod you up if I had points.

The iPhone does everything I need it to do (and more), and does those things well. Hell, I just got around to upgrading from the first gen to the new one, and only because of a couple key features (streaming music over bluetooth and a better camera). If it didn't do what I wanted, I wouldn't buy one. If I bought one and didn't like it ... I'd return it.

It astounds me the energy people put into disparaging a device they don't own and (supposedly) don't want.

Re:cute

[kimvette]

wifi + jailbreak + change root password + openssh = ssh tunnel = tethering

Re:cute

[danger42]

I just don't understand why everyone keeps buying iPhones and iPads if they don't do what they want. By purchasing them, you are basically telling Apple and AT&T that you are happy with their products and service. If they don't do what you want, don't purchase them and purchase something that does.

But with Apple's capricious policy on approving and denying apps, I never really know if the phone that does what I want today won't do it tomorrow. So, what, I buy a phone and hope for the best? I guess that's the only reasonable approach when considering an iPhone.

Re:cute

[jewishbaconzombies]

Did you miss the line where I fixed it? This rates you as informative?

kind of the point of the post. But that's informative for ya. And given Apple and ATT's whackamole and spin following the Library of Congress ruling, I guess Apple must be unicorns and rainbow smiles with the decision.

Informative.

Re:cute

[jewishbaconzombies]

I'd mod ya up too.

It makes me itch that the (my) iPad and iPhones won't work together by default and I have to jailbreak the phone to get them to talk to one another, and - no - I'm not interesting in watching movies on 3G, but it'd be nice to have the NYT refresh at the next crappy hotel that claims to have wifi (seriously almost all hotel wifi is sucktacular) or perhaps a book purchase.

Also having the wifi-only Kindle on order was kind of a tie-breaker. I've got 3G - why does everything else need 3G embedded in my house when the phone is perfectly able to share?

My toaster? 3G - my cat - 3G upgrade. My commemorative pillow of Richard Nixon shaking Elvis' hand at the white house? Oh boy you bet that's 3G now baby.

Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[Shoeler]

This is certainly ethically wrong. It'd be like me going into your house and installing stuff on your home PC that I want there, without ever asking and without your knowledge.

Nevermind the fact that you should have protected it with a password, at the least.

Of course the password thing doesn't work as well when you're trying to sell iPhones.

It's not like you have an agreement you have to approve or anything to use their iPhone

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[Barny]

We have display PCs where I work, it takes us about 20min to wipe them and reload our image for display, I would guess apple have a similar thing in place.

We don't give net access to them, but neither do we count them as safe from virus' since anyone off the street can come in and toss a USB stick into them while a sales staff is busy.

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[Anonymous Coward]

This is certainly ethically wrong.

But... but... but he's an iPhone user. You know, those cool, fashionable, trendy, enlightened, socially-aware, politically-correct, progressive hipsters who eschew the insecure Windows running IBM-PC clones that the boring, mundane, ordinary, unenlightened, reactionary people use.

It is even possible that such a noble being could do something ethically wrong?

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[GodWasAnAlien]

The comparison is not valid.

Unless your house is open to the public and you allow people free access to your display model PC, as the Apple store allows.

A customer entering the store has signed no contract, and there are no given rules of what a customer should be doing on the display models.

If caught, Apple could at most ask the customer to leave, as this is not illegal activity, and no property is damaged. The customer visited a website allowing the device to be demoed more freely with non-syndicated applications.

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[MacGyver2210]

"It'd be like me going into your house and installing stuff on your home PC that I want there, without ever asking and without your knowledge."

That's not even close to the same.

Your home (my home) is a private place of residence where you are not permitted(at least I don't think you are, who are you?). The Apple Store is a public place of business that WANTS you to come in and look around.

My home PC is private and secured. That iPhone display is public and they WANT you to play with it. If they were truly worried about people messing with them, don't you think they'd lock the phone? I assume there's SOME way to do that with an iPhone.

You can't Jailbreak my PC - it's already free and clear of any draconian application oversight. That iPhone is a little black box device with terrible functionality and engineering problems that sells because it is trendy and "the newest thing" more than because of its function.

To use my PC I had to agree to certain terms and conditions of certain software at various times. Therefore, I am legally bound to do or not do certain things with my computer/its software. The Apple Store display does not require you to agree to these terms and conditions to use their displays. You are not legally bound in anything you do to it, short of obvious crimes like destruction or theft.

I have my handful of PCs that I use persistently as my own home computers. Apple Stores have huge pools of devices they can reformat/restore at will and cycle in and out of the showroom floor. They will be no worse for the wear from this prank.

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[Anonymous Coward]

The fact that you allow USB devices to be connected to your display machines is, well shocking really.

Its pretty easy to disable USB devices on Windows. I've had to do it for all sorts of kiosk and public use machines. You should be glad whoever is doing management there doesn't know what they are doing. If it were me, someone's job would be on the line if a display machine was configured to allow someone to plug in a USB device and copy god knows what onto the machine.

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[shadowrat]

This is likely technically illegal, but really it is more in line with toilet papering a house. he didn't do any damage. the changes will wash away, etc. In the end, the time it takes to prosecute isn't even worth it.

What it really is is rude, and it's probably is bad PR for jailbreakers. Most people out there don't understand what jailbreaking is. After hearing this news, are people more likely to recognize jailbreakers as people with a legitimate complaint about the current state of consumer electronics, or pranksters and vandals who are as likely to hack someone else's machine as their own?

It's kind of a shame that immediately after the huge victory won for jailbreaking, some punk pulls this stunt.

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[Anonymous Coward]

We have display PCs where I work, it takes us about 20min to wipe them and reload our image for display, I would guess apple have a similar thing in place.

We don't give net access to them, but neither do we count them as safe from virus' since anyone off the street can come in and toss a USB stick into them while a sales staff is busy.

Oh, right. So it's okay for me to shit on your doorstep, because it only takes five minutes to rinse it off with a garden hose, right?

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[Amouth]

may i recommend Steady State (if your using Windows)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=d077a52d-93e9-4b02-bd95-9d770ccdb431

You can set it up with a point in time and set it to restore original at reboot.. - and it actually works.. very well - it's specifically designed for use on kiosks and things of that nature.

I like it because you can set it to allow/apply windows updates and virus/custom updates and not have to make a new image...

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[Skuld-Chan]

I have 200 or so lab machines used by community college students (read - only slightly more mature than high school students) - Faronics Deep Freeze is your friend. That 20 minute wipe you could reduce down to a single reboot.

Oh an deepfreeze runs on the Mac too ;).

I let people do whatever the hell they want with these machines (within reason - they aren't allowed to move/open/abuse etc). People install software, change the backgrounds, delete/modify files thinking they are screwing me over (I heard one student walk out of a classroom boasting to his friend that he'd like to see IT fix that mess) - so far I've never had a single machine compromised in any way that couldn't be fixed with a single reboot.

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[clone53421]

I heard one student walk out of a classroom boasting to his friend that he'd like to see IT fix that mess

Wow, you should have flagged him down and asked him if he’d like to see just how easy it was. Make it interesting and bet him a pizzas or a case of beer that a reboot would fix it.

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[SteelZ]

That would be great if they were still selling computers with XP or Vista on them. Steady State isn't supported in Windows 7 and probably never will be.

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[sjames]

More like I invite you to take my new car for a spin and you *GASP* adjust the rearview mirror.

Re:Ethically wrong, but probably not legally...

[Amouth]

it isn't supported with 7? didn't know that.. knew it worked with vista.. figured it would work with 7 too.

it surprises me what MS drops.. SS worked exactly as advertised.. and i've never had problems with it.. one of their few apps that is like that.

Perhaps Taco would love it...

[Rational]

...if I visited his place, and then took it upon myself to install perfectly legitimate copies of Windows on all his computers?

Re:Perhaps Taco would love it...

[Anonymous Coward]

Why bother reinstalling? Just make sure he's up to date with his service patches.

Re:Perhaps Taco would love it...

[Machtyn]

That would be a crime against humanity!!
and torture
and, perhaps terrorism

or would installing Linux be the torture part?

:)

Idle is right

[Anonymous Coward]

Beyond the vaguely amusing "Let's stick it to Apple!" shtick that's been going on for a while, what the fuck is the point of this?

Oh no! Some kid did stupid shit and posted it online! Huzzah?

What next? Are we gonna go out and watch as the kids giggle as they smoke pot outside the police department?

Re:Idle is right

[CharlyFoxtrot]

Seriously, what's next a video of teenagers putting all the macbooks and iMacs on meatspin (NSFW!) ? That's what some were displaying last time I was in the London Apple store.

Re:Idle is right

[Anonymous Coward]

Beyond the vaguely amusing "Let's stick it to Apple!" shtick that's been going on for a while, what the fuck is the point of this?

The point is he stuck it to apple. He's a hero now. He will be the envy of men and the lust of women because he was the guy that took down Steve Jobs. Do you here that rumbling that's the sound of Apple stores crumbling to dust. The earth has opened up and swallowed Apple HQ. The souls of Apple customers everywhere are leaving and falling to hell.

Re:Idle is right

[Joe Jay Bee]

Seriously, what's next a video of teenagers putting all the macbooks and iMacs on meatspin (NSFW!) ? That's what some were displaying last time I was in the London Apple store.

Actually, that's how they come straight from the factory.

Re:Idle is right

[Anonymous Coward]

Ahahaha, this is so funny. It's because all people who use Macs are male and homosexual or female cock hungry whores, get it? HAHA, OH MY GOD YOU ARE SO WITTY.

Re:Idle is right

[Joe Jay Bee]

Am I allowed to point out I am a Mac user? (Or at least, own one but don't use as my main computer any more?)

You could also...

[Trip6]

...paint the outside of a display phone with honey, and then the next person to pick it up would have honey all over their hands. That would be funny too!

Re:You could also...

[Anonymous Coward]

Um... that's not honey.

Re:You could also...

[Sockatume]

Superglue would be funnier. Talk about a death-grip.

Re:You could also...

[that IT girl]

On the bright side, Jobs would be right that time. They'd definitely be holding it wrong.

Re:You could also...

[justleavealonemmmkay]

That's just silly. Who the heck uses his hands to grasp his iPhone 4 ?

Re:You could also...

[Pollardito]

It seems like caramel would be more appropriate

Re:You could also...

[Orestesx]

You are obviously not Jewish.

technically

[Anonymous Coward]

technically, its still not legal, because somewere in there, you are going to be breaking Apples Licence agreement, trust me, even if you dont believe you are, there lawyers will see fit that it is, and if they cant, theyll just add it to the end, like with the nuclear weapons clause

Re:technically

[natehoy]

Somewhere amongst all the commas I think this post starts out with something I agree with. I'm just not sure about the end. My mind stack-overflowed when I saw the transition to nuclear weapons.

Re:technically

[RJHelms]

I believe this is a drug-addled reference to the phrase in section 3 of the Java license agreement: "You acknowledge that Licensed Software is not designed or intended for use in the design, construction, operation or maintenance of any nuclear facility."

What that has to do with jailbreaking, however...

Re:technically

[MikeyO]

Are you sure this guy agreed to and is bound by a licensing agreement? Do you have to enter into an agreement with apple to use one of their display models?

Re:technically

[mdwh2]

technically, its still not legal, because somewere in there, you are going to be breaking Apples Licence agreement

Which licence contract did the user agree to, in order to use the display model?

Re:technically

[Ralz]

In section g of the 'Apple Licensed Application End User License Agreement' it states:

You also agree that you will not use these products for any purposes prohibited by United States law, including, without limitation, the development, design, manufacture or production of nuclear, missiles, or chemical or biological weapons.

http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/appstore/dev/stdeula/

Re:technically

[Anonymous Coward]

no, you dont, but ironicly you do on one you own...so i guess its illegal on one you own. but not on a display model

I, for one

[Anonymous Coward]

are happy that I can buy a new iPhone directly from Apple almost without any ties to any phonecompany and with all features enabled.

Although they have forgotten to remove the 20 megabyte at&t download limitation from itunes. Can jailbreak solve that? I'd like to download podcasts from 3g and I actually have free (national) calls and unlimited data for tethering or whatever. (the benefit of working for a big company that can make proper deals with the data carriers)

Re:I, for one

[Bill_the_Engineer]

I guess you're not in the US, because jailbreak or not, you need ATT to use 3G. Thank you FCC.

Re:I, for one

[BarryJacobsen]

are happy that I can buy a new iPhone directly from Apple almost without any ties to any phonecompany and with all features enabled.

Although they have forgotten to remove the 20 megabyte at&t download limitation from itunes. Can jailbreak solve that? I'd like to download podcasts from 3g and I actually have free (national) calls and unlimited data for tethering or whatever. (the benefit of working for a big company that can make proper deals with the data carriers)

There is indeed a jailbreak app that can make apps think they're on wifi - My3G (and there are probably others).

Wrong?

[whisper_jeff]

Is it wrong of me to think that it would be awesome if everybody did this to every phone? I mean, it's legal now!

Wrong? Probably. Infantile? Absolutely. Legal? Absolutely not. It's called vandalism which is still illegal.

Re:Wrong?

[Rah'Dick]

I get your point, but it's kinda funny that adding functionality is being called "vandalism" here.

Re:Wrong?

[rotide]

Modifying something without the owners consent is vandalism. I can modify your car with a brick or with a new engine. You may dislike both of those options as your old engine got you 40mpg while the new one is so much more awesome (your opinion) at 500hp and 15mpg (yay for car analogies!).

Same thing is happening here. Apple wants things a certain way and it makes no difference what your (or anybodies besides Apple's) opinion is about what is being done to the phone. No matter how much "better" _you_ think it is, it is theirs and they don't want you mucking with it in that way. I'm no Apple fan, far from it, but even I can see this isn't something you want to make a habit out of as the police will eventually make their presence known when Apple catches on.

(I know you're trying to be funny and not entirely serious, but I thought it still needed to be said).

Re:Wrong?

[cpscotti]

Freaking Funny and Creative? Definetly!

Re:Wrong?

[mdwh2]

Modifying something without the owners consent is vandalism.

By that logic, anyone who uses a display model such as visiting web pages is committing vandalism. Whilst it's unclear where the line might be drawn in when doing something to a display model becomes "vandalism", it's not as simple you describe, nor is using a display model comparable to using someone else's machine without their consent.

as the police will eventually make their presence known when Apple catches on.

Nice to know police resources may be used to patch up Apple's security holes. And why do they allow unrestricted Internet access on display models in the first place, if they really have a problem with people doing things? (In practice, they probably don't care, and just reset the device every day, as others here have suggested.)

Re:Wrong?

[langelgjm]

Wrong? Probably. Infantile? Absolutely. Legal? Absolutely not. It's called vandalism which is still illegal.

What if someone fingerpaints an image of a phallus and sets that as the iPhone's background?*

Wrong? Probably. Infantile? Absolutely. Vandalism? Maybe, but honestly, it's a display model, there's a reason they have to sell them at discounts, if at all.

*Disclaimer: I don't own an iPhone, maybe it's not possible to change the background. (I'm kidding, I hope)

Re:Wrong?

[Radtoo]

Why is it just infantile? This is the shape minor political activism takes.

In this case, I am pretty sure a whole demonstration would not have better effect than this prank. Even if it probably won't reach most people, still.

Re:Wrong?

[Rah'Dick]

True, it's an unauthorized modification - but the term vandalism doesn't really apply here, if one strictly adheres to the legal definition. No "serious physical harm" (loss of value in excess of $500) happened; all of the original functionality is actually still there.

Re:Wrong?

[Steauengeglase]

I'd call it karma. Anyone else remember when kids would walk into Circuit City with the old 1st get ipods and copy software?

Re:Wrong?

[Steauengeglase]

Grrrr, 1st gen iPod, not get. For penance I leave a link: http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mac/commentary/cultofmac/2002/02/50688

Re:Wrong?

[MacGyver2210]

It's not vandalism. You're not reducing or eliminating the intended functionality or the appearance of the device. It still does what it's supposed to(and more) even after you Jailbreak it.

It's absolutely legal, especially because you don't need to agree to terms and conditions to use display models, so you're not even breaking their TOS. That's not to say they're not going to be pissed and kick you out if they catch you, but they have no legal ground to punish you on.

Now if you went around engraving cartoon penises on them, THAT would be vandalism.

Re:Wrong?

[MacGyver2210]

Is this "make up your own definition" day?

vandalism (vndl-zm)
n.
Willful or malicious destruction of public or private property.

Re:Wrong?

[whisper_jeff]

It's not vandalism. You're not reducing or eliminating the intended functionality or the appearance of the device.

That's not what vandalism is. Vandalism is (quoting wikipedia because they summarize it rather succinctly) "private citizens commit vandalism when they willfully damage or deface the property of others or the commons."

You don't think that jailbreaking an Apple store display device if vandalism? Fine - I'll issue a challenge to you then. Put your money where your mouth is. Go get a cop, go into an Apple store, get the manager, tell them both what you're about to do and then jailbreak one of their devices. If the store manager doesn't have the cop arrest you for vandalism, then you're right and I will apologize for erroneously calling it vandalism.

I bet you won't accept the challenge, however, because you know you'll get arrested. Because it's a pretty clear-cut case of a private citizen willfully damaging or defacing the property of another. But, hey, feel free to prove me wrong.

Re:Wrong?

[Loconut1389]

Congressman, is that you?

Vandalism requires physical harm. The hardware is not damaged. Moreover, the guy visited a website, which isn't against the law either.

The store will probably reimage the phone every night anyway and meanwhile it still works in its original capacity, its not affecting the demonstration of the phone either.

Re:Wrong?

[rotide]

Willful or malicious - User intentionally made the change, that's willful.
destruction - We'll have to define this in the context of modifying the OS of an iPhone you don't own.
of public or private property - Definitely private property the user does not own.

So, define destruction as it pertains to modifying the OS of someone else's property. It's obvious to even the most anti-apple people that changing the OS isn't a wallpaper change or a font color change. It's a basic breaking of the OS in such a way as to run non sanctioned software. So is that "destruction", not really sure. In my opinion, in this context, yes. YMMV.

If you came over my house and updated the OS on my HTPC, I'd be pissed and call that destruction of the box. I have it setup perfectly for my needs. One could argue the same thing for Apple about their display model phones.

Frankly, I think vandalism fits perfectly here.

Re:Wrong?

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah, and I can break into your car, put in a keyless entry and ignition system, not give you the appropriate frobs for said system, not even tell you about said system, and I've added functionality to your car. I mean, it's a keyless entry and ignition system! It wasn't there before, now it is! I should be celebrated as a altruistic hero, not treated like a vandal or a carjacker!

Re:Wrong?

[IsThisNickTaken]

What do you mean "I jailbroke the phone"? I was just looking at these nice new iPhones and testing out the browser. All I did was surf to a website that my friend told me to checkout. You mean I changed the software on the phone by doing that? How? Is there some type of vulnerability that can allow remote code execution on my phone just by browsing a website? I thought these things were magical...

Re:Wrong?

[Skuld-Chan]

+Insightful? Seriously? Look up the word on dictionary.com:

–noun
1. deliberately mischievous or malicious destruction or damage of property: vandalism of public buildings.
2. the conduct or spirit characteristic of the Vandals.
3. willful or ignorant destruction of artistic or literary treasures.
4. a vandalic act.

Webster:

Function: noun
Date: 1798

: willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property

One case where Wikipedia isn't the authority on what a word means. Oh wait - Wikipedia says this:

"Vandalism is the behaviour attributed originally to the Vandals, by the Romans, in respect of culture: ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable. Such action includes defacement, graffiti and criminal damage."

and this:

"Private citizens commit vandalism when they willfully damage or deface the property of others or the commons."

Re:Wrong?

[Skuld-Chan]

Whoops - wrong part of the thread.

Re:Wrong?

[archangel9]

Congressman, is that you?

Vandalism requires physical harm. The hardware is not damaged.

No, vandalism requires changing physical properties of something, but not necessarily harm. Spray painting my fence with gang signs isn't "harm", but it requires me to fork out $X to have it repainted, thus costing money to remedy.

Someone will no doubt say "oh, but they image those phones every night, so it doesn't matter." Well, even if I paint my fence yearly, why should it be defaced between paintings?

Dangit, I should have made a car reference.

Re:Wrong?

[Anonymous Coward]

this is about as modified as using velcro. i mean really. vandalizing? i'm not all up on the letter of the law, but in my mind that has always carried connotations of serious defacing, particularly with "permanent" methods. Graffiti and keying a car come to mind.

i can see malicious software falling in that category, i.e. pwning a computer with a virus that spams advertizing could be considered vandalism. however, while still criminal, pwning a computer to a botnet i dont think would constitute vandalism.

i'm not saying weather what they did was "right" or "wrong" but i wouldnt consider it vandalism. some kids like to unscrew the top of the salt shaker at resturaunts, i think thats far more "destructive" than jailbreaking an iPhone. even at that, i'd be surprised to see that considered vandalism.

Re:Wrong?

[OldeTimeGeek]

Until a buyer who is unaware of jailbreaking sues Apple because their recently-purchased iPhone doesn't do something that the demo model in the store did...

Re:Wrong?

[kimvette]

He might not be charged with vandalism. He might be charged with unauthorized access of a computer system, which carries a much harsher penalty, and is the charge I would pursue were I an Apple store manager.

Re:Wrong?

[Anonymous Coward]

[...] honestly, it's a display model, there's a reason they have to sell them at discounts, if at all.

Sorry, cognitive dissonance. You used the phrase "sell them at discounts" in the context of Apple's official sales channels. My brain shut down for a few minutes to prevent itself from falling into a hopeless parsing error loop.

Re:Wrong?

[Anonymous Coward]

Vandalism?  Really?

Just like physically smashing the display phone?

Seriously dude, don't be such a goddamn tool.

Re:Wrong?

[PhasmatisApparatus]

Vandalism, yes. But it also probably counts as hacking, since you're accessing some computer system (the iPhone kernel), without permission, display model or not. This jailbreak frenzy is just getting silly.

Not so legal.

[Anonymous Coward]

I mean sure, legal to jailbreak your own iPhone, but doing it to a store phone could easily be classed as vandalism.

Footed?

[necro81]

A prankster has snuck into his local Apple temple of consumerism and footed with one of the display models.

Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

Re:Footed?

[$RANDOMLUSER]

I'm pretty sure they meant "fisted".

Re:Footed?

[HiChris!]

A prankster has snuck into his local Apple temple of consumerism and footed with one of the display models.

Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

I thought that was weird to... the original site says footled so they probably meant fooled - though footled is a word, but doesn't mean anything that makes sense. Of course my l33t speak is a bit rusty.

Re:Footed?

[Minwee]

What, you mean like the Obamas do?

Re:Footed?

[Anonymous Coward]

Hey, the only fisting in regards to anything apple comes directly from apple.

Re:Go to the original source, Slashdot

[Idbar]

How in hell is now reddig (or digg, or whatever "aggregation service" - even Slashdot - for that matter) an "original source"?

FootLed, not Footed.

[camperdave]

"A prankster has snuck into his local Apple temple of consumerism and footed with one of the display models."

The word they used was "footled", not "footed". Footled means To waste time; trifle. Footed means to pay for, or to dance.

Actually, I'm not sure either word is good for describing what this person did. It was planned and deliberate, not an act of idleness or foolishness. Neither was it a dance, or the paying of a bill. Words like "sabotage", "cracking", "prank", come to mind.

Re:FootLed, not Footed.

[Anonymous Coward]

I just thought "footled" was an Apple term for "made love with."

Re:FootLed, not Footed.

[jdgeorge]

Huh... I hadn't even realized that there was such a word as footled (my spell checker certainly doesn't know that word). I wish I had some "informative" mod points for you.

However I think the word was well-chosen, suggesting it was a trivial effort to jailbreak the phone in the store.

How long before deep freeze comes to the demo ipho

[Joe The Dragon]

How long before deep freeze comes to the demo iphones just like the macs in the store?

Did that, done that, been there.

[leuk_he]

Remember those days when they had a C-64 on display in the store? And you wrote a little program

10 Print I am bad.
20 goto 10

Including some peek and pokes to make noises.

Re:Did that, done that, been there.

[Anonymous Coward]

Did one better. I put ZSNES on a floppy, had Super Mario World running on the demo, ejected the disk and went on my way. I wonder how many confused customers that made :D

Re:Did that, done that, been there.

[Anonymous Coward]

ZSNES existed for the C-64?!?

Re:Did that, done that, been there.

[Anonymous Coward]

I remember programming one to display "Please press any key." When that was done, the program would then flash "Security has been notified -- please remain where you are." while playing a siren sound. I then ran the program and turned the volume all the way up on the TV. Before I even got to the front door, I could hear it back in electronics: "weeeeoooooo weeeeeooooo weeeeeoooo...."

Re:Did that, done that, been there.

[Anonymous Coward]

C-64 with a floppy? Sure they did not put that on view. way too expensive.

Re:Did that, done that, been there.

[Cruciform]

The Tandy TRS-80 had a speech cartridge, and for some stupid reason Radio Shack would leave those plugged into the display models.
I'd go up to them, type in every swear word I could think of multiple times, scroll them off the screen, and then go "browse" somewhere nearby.
Another kid would see the computer, get excited, run up and type "HELLO" and get a nice long, loud, string of cursing.
They'd get thrown out of the store, professing their innocence, to the delight of my evil 8 or 9 year old mind.

Children are assholes. Never forget that.

Re:Did that, done that, been there.

[thoromyr]

When I was younger and more juvenile than I am now (hard to believe as that may be) I pranked a computer in a PX. The reason? It was one of those complete systems (Packard Bell? I don't remember) and it advertised a display resolution that was fairly good. Only problem was the monitor it was paired with couldn't handle it (and had a dot pitch of about .7 or .8, fuzziest monitor I can remember seeing). So it was configured to run in a lower resolution, while advertised at the higher.

It was the advertising that really got me so I set the resolution to what the specs said it should be and left. It was corrected of course, so the next day I set it back. I ended up creating a floppy to use for the reset. Kept it up until the system was no longer there. Juvenile? Yeah, that's me.

Re:Did that, done that, been there.

[anyaristow]

10 ? tab(int(rnd(0)*30));"I am bad"
20 goto 10

Yes, I did this repeatedly. Probably a different text. And probably a TRS-80 and not a C-64.

Re:Did that, done that, been there.

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't know. I find walking up to a mac, getting a shell, and typing in cd /;rm -rf * is far more ammusing.

Re:Did that, done that, been there.

[Izhido]

Wrong. *YOU* were the asshole during your infancy. Don't generalize your assholish attitude towards the rest of the world.

(Sigh. There goes my karma. Had to be said, though. No remorse.)

Re:Did that, done that, been there.

[Cruciform]

Apparently you were raised in a bubble and fed through tubes by gentle aliens who isolated you from the outside world.

Watch children in action. Even the "nicest" child will eventually show predatory or "nasty" behavior by the standards of others.

If you believe otherwise you are deluded.
 

Just because you have the right to do something...

[Anonymous Coward]

...doesn't mean it's necessarily the right thing to do.

Reason for anti-Apple sentiment

[Anonymous Coward]

The reason for all the "sticking it to Apple" is simply that Apple is a massively hype-oriented and consumer-unfriendly company led by an unrepentant demagogue. It's basically "not a nice company", despite making nice gadgets.

Nobody bashes Apple for making bad products, nor for designing poor human interfaces. In areas such as these, Apple deserves praise, and its gets a lot of it.

But in other areas such as pricing and especially control-freakism, Apple deserves nothing but contempt, and when people express such contempt, it is well earned by the company.

So don't get upset by it. This is normal community feedback, and it's operating properly and fairly.

why is this interesting?

[craftycoder]

Hmmm, can I have those 3 minutes of my life back?

Re:why is this interesting?

[jombeewoof]

you would just waste them anyway

I'm 100% for jailbreaking, but...

[Anonymous Coward]

This hole NEEDS to be fixed and Apple needs to be working on it now.

Difference between hole and jailbreak

[tepples]

Distinguishing between a "gaping goatse hole" and a "jailbreak" is a judgment call.

• If there exists no approved method for end users to make and run code, or if running code requires a substantial additional purchase and recurring fee, it's a "jailbreak".
• If the end user can trigger it by accident, it's a "hole".

The owner of a Windows machine is the administrator. Windows supports configuring a "software restriction policy" requiring validation of Authenticode signatures, but this mechanism explicitly allows the machine's owner to sign software. So any vulnerabilities are holes.

But for iOS devices, the approved method of running code outside the store involves buying a $599 additional hardware device made by the same company (Mac mini) and a $99 per year subscription (iPhone developer certificate), so this is a jailbreak. And in the case of Wii homebrew (which was restored on 4.3 within the past week), it's also a jailbreak because Nintendo is even stricter: becoming an authorized developer involves leasing office space, not coding out of a bedroom. And yes, this is affecting developers: see Bob's Game.

Re:Difference between hole and jailbreak

[Anonymous Coward]

It might be affecting developers but that Bob guy was fucking crazy.

Re:Difference between hole and jailbreak

[maxwell demon]

If all you need to do is to download a manipulated PDF from a web site, then the end user certainly can trigger it by accident, and therefore it's very clearly a hole. That you can use that hole to jailbreak doesn't make it less of a hole. The next PDF you download may use the same hole for something malicious instead.

Claiming it's not a hole because you can use it for jailbreaking is like claiming that a web site's SQL vulnerability isn't a security hole because you could also issue SQL commands for useful things the web page doesn't allow you to do otherwise.

Re:Go to the original source, Slashdot

[cowscows]

Reddit users post a fair amount of original content to the website, of varying levels of quality. Of course, it can be hard to tell whether or not a particular piece of content is actually original as its submitter may claim. But plenty of people upload movies/images/etc. to wherever for the sole purpose of linking to it from reddit.

FreeBSD goes directly to jail

[tepples]

Except those other OS'es aren't running their apps in jails

FreeBSD has a jail, and Gentoo has a similar mechanism built around Linux chroot. But I understand your point: the difference is that the state-law owner of a device is the administrator and has the privilege to manage these jails. On the other hand, TiVo runs Linux, and it enforces restrictions against the owner. More Info...

Meh...

[Stick32]

I've taken to going to apple stores and queuing up the Friend Bar on all the macs near the genius bar. The average user wouldn't even notice a jailbroken iphone when they come in. I take pleasure in getting an average joe asking about the friend bar to apple employees.

I have to make compromises

[tepples]

If they don't do what you want, don't purchase them and purchase something that does.

Is there a phone that does what I want (get a signal with more than zero bars), does what I want (have physical direction pad and buttons so I can use the phone as a handheld video system), and does what I want (run apps that I approve, not necessarily apps that the phone's manufacturer or the carrier approves)? If there isn't a phone that does everything I want, I have to make compromises.

Re:I have to make compromises

[bhtooefr]

It's called, oh, almost every Windows Mobile device.

Re:I have to make compromises

[tepples]

Windows Mobile will soon be discontinued in favor of Windows Phone 7, which implements a model of a central app store and a $99 per year developer certificate just like that of iPhone (which in turn largely borrowed it from Xbox 360 XNA Creators Club).

Re:I have to make compromises

[bhtooefr]

But you can still buy a Windows Mobile device today, and you can't buy a WP7 device today.

(Actually, I was wrong, some of the newer HTC devices don't have a directional pad. But, still, most do.)

Re:I have to make compromises

[Anonymous Coward]

Never used one myself, but have you looked into the Droid X?

Re:Just because you have the right to do something

[DaveV1.0]

The thing is, he didn't have the right to do this because it was not his iPhone. The law gives one the right to jailbreak one's own phone, not phones owned by Apple.

BS

[Anonymous Coward]

How did he get to the link in the first place?

perhaps by Googling how to jailbreak an iPhone?

Poor User Experience, the bane of open source.

[jessecurry]

I had my first experience with jailbreaking yesterday. It looks like jailbreakme.com is just a vehicle to force people into installing Cydia. Further, with the exception of the few apps that unlock some functionality on your phone it looks like most of the Apps on the Cydia store are just too low quality to have been approved by Apple. I'm thankful that I was able to SIM unlock my old phone so my girlfriend could use it with her carrier, but the experience was very poor. Every hack that I installed seemed to break something, then I needed to install another hack to fix the previous one... makes me glad to have my phone in Apple's walled garden, I just couldn't afford some much downtime on a communications device.

Re:Poor User Experience, the bane of open source.

[geogob]

There is a lot of stuff of questionable quality available but a few very useful tools or modifications not available otherwise. Add to that the carrier unlock possibility, I think you strongly under evaluate the importance of this procedure. You may also want to be more restrictive on the modification you install. If you start installing all the available modifications that look interesting on any OS, you will have stability issues.

If you want to play outside of Apple's "Eden", you'll have to treat and understand your device as a computer running a Unix based OS... not a cellphone on which you install apps.

Also, Cydia is mostly a graphical front end for the Debian package manager with a repository browser. You can install your packages yourself using command line. You can also add your own sources to Cydia. Not sure I understand where the problem lies regarding the jailbreak process installing Cydia. What other mechanism do you expect to install packages once the device is jailbroken?

And blaming your poor user experience on open source or open devices, that's just wrong.

Re:Poor User Experience, the bane of open source.

[jessecurry]

I'm not saying that open source and quality user experience are mutually exclusive; just pointing out that in my experience open source software provides a poor user experience. Maybe it's because most open source projects are programmer heavy, or because exposing functionality seems to be the core goal. I'm not really sure.

And I'm not so upset that Cydia gets installed, just that it is installed and it's not easy to uninstall. Is there any requirement that Cydia be installed on a jailbroken device? Or is it just the package manager(UI) of choice for most?

I'm glad that jailbreaking exists, and even more happy that the US government formally declared it legal; but I don't see a compelling reason to use it for anything other than carrier unlocking and perhaps tethering.

I suppose that my frame of reference for this discussion may be a little different than most as I've recently been involved in discussions with people who think that the App store is in trouble because jailbreakme.com exists.

Re:Poor User Experience, the bane of open source.

[geogob]

Currently, the jailbreak process install only this front end to install other applications. For obvious reasons, it does not install terminal access or sshd by default. There were other package manager front ends before, but my understanding is that they are currently deprecated and unstable.

If you create your jailbreak payload manually with pwnage tools in expert mode (mac os), you can include packages to be installed at that time and maybe even remove cydia from the payload. If you add the terminal and command line tools at that time, you may never even have to use cydia.

Re:Poor User Experience, the bane of open source.

[Draek]

If you wanted "Open" and "Good", you should've gone and bought an Android phone rather than download some random hack to turn an iPhone into a half-arsed imitation.

Re:Poor User Experience, the bane of open source.

[kimvette]

Here is what I have installed from Cydia:

* Openssh
* SBSettings + several plugins
* Winterboard
* Mobile Terminal (honestly I haven't reinstalled it in IOS4 yet - I ssh in to edit scripts)
* Backgrounder (largely unnecessary with IOS4, I know)
* Bash
* crond (I use this to integrate with nagios so I can manage servers remotely)

All great, high quality apps, but not available on the App Store because Apple considers them to be DoublePlusUnGood.

Re:Poor User Experience, the bane of open source.

[KZigurs]

if you want to treat you mobile phone as a computer running Unix based OS why don't you get crapdroid^HAndroid?

There is something seriously wrong with people that try to mate the two rather opposing concepts here.

Re:Poor User Experience, the bane of open source.

[mjwx]

It looks like jailbreakme.com is just a vehicle to force people into installing Cydia.

Then you must also consider the Iphone is just a vehicle to force people into Itunes and other Apple products and services.

a. Further, with the exception of the few apps that unlock some functionality on your phone it looks like most of the Apps on the Cydia store are just too low quality to have been approved by Apple.

And all the applications that are not permitted in the Itunes store because they violate one of the holy Apple edicts about no-tethering, no-porn, no-competition with Apple, no-mentioning Android, no-non approved code, no-anything lord Steve does not like, no-oh bugger it, the approval staff just dont like your name.

Jailbreaking is popular for a very good reason

but the experience was very poor.

Are you certain that's not the Iphone, I've found my experiences with them to be very poor mainly because I have to go through loopholes, hacks and thrid party services to do simple things like add my own ringtone or use it as a storage device.

makes me glad to have my phone in Apple's walled garden,

Battered wives are very happy to have their husbands, despite the domestic violence.

. I'm thankful that I was able to SIM unlock my old phone so my girlfriend could use it

You have to hack the phone just to get this? With every phone I've ever owned, it's either been unlocked outright or unlock-able by the carrier upon request.

Sorry but this is an obvious and very poorly done troll. Those who modded it up should be very ashamed.

Re:Poor User Experience, the bane of open source.

[jessecurry]

Then you must also consider the Iphone is just a vehicle to force people into Itunes and other Apple products and services.

To some extent, yes.

And all the applications that are not permitted in the Itunes store because they violate one of the holy Apple edicts about no-tethering, no-porn, no-competition with Apple, no-mentioning Android, no-non approved code, no-anything lord Steve does not like, no-oh bugger it, the approval staff just dont like your name.

Maybe this is the case. Admittedly, I only looked at around 20 apps, maybe I just managed to find the 20 with a poor user experience and all of the rest are great.

Are you certain that's not the Iphone, I've found my experiences with them to be very poor mainly because I have to go through loopholes, hacks and thrid party services to do simple things like add my own ringtone or use it as a storage device.

It's definitely not the iPhone, minus a few small gripes I love the iPhone. I think that the UI is incredible, the development environment is top notch, and the overall level of quality of Apps on the App store is higher than any other competitors.

Battered wives are very happy to have their husbands, despite the domestic violence.

Obvious troll is obvious.

You have to hack the phone just to get this? With every phone I've ever owned, it's either been unlocked outright or unlock-able by the carrier upon request.

Are you in the US? We're a little restrictive over here.

Yup

[Anonymous Coward]

I get your point, but it's kinda funny that adding functionality is being called "vandalism" here.

It's also kinda funny that decorating an overpass with a fanciful spray-painited mural is called "vandalism" by the authorities. Why should decorating a public space be vandalism? Why should your artistic expression be vandalism?

But it is, because it's not your goddamned overpass.

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo ..

[ztij]

.. Buffalo buffalo. What the hell?

Ancient practice

[yusing]

People used to "do stuff" to C64's at the store, and to PC's at the store for years. While I spose it's annoying to the staff after a while, I have to laugh at people who take this sort of thing soooooo seriously. Some of you people need to check yourself for a Calvinist eartag.

Re:Go to the original source, Slashdot

[Anonymous Coward]

agreed. slashdot is just a souped up rss reader that thinks it somehow adds value. laughable isn't it.

-1 Redundant

[singingjim1]

As soon as the story broke about the online jailbreak I saw numerous Facebook posts about heading out to the Apple/AT&T stores to jailbreak the demos. This is going on all over the country as we type.

Re:-1 Redundant

[kimvette]

I wish you folks would not do this. It will only make Apple work even harder to block people who jailbreak their own iPhones, whereas if people left the phones at the store alone the recent court ruling might have led Apple to look the other way when it comes to jailbreaking.

The next iPhone4 update is going to be harder for the dev team to crack now. Thanks, guys.

If you want to "prank" the Apple store, point safari on every iPhone and iPad at sites where it will display "This web site requires flash." When I was at the local Apple store to buy a 27" iMac a few weeks ago, I did that to every iPhone and iPad. It speaks a message to Apple employees but is harmless to both Apple and Apple customers. Jailbreaking the display iPhones though? That will only hurt iPhone owners.

Motive

[Anonymous Coward]

The difference is MOTIVE. If the motive was to go to some website and somehow stumble upon a site that rooted the device, that's one thing. Another is to go to the website that roots the device on purpose.

Similarly, it is different if you cause a car crash because a wheel fell off your car because of manufacturing error, or whatever. It's another if you chose to drive through on a red.

Re:Motive

[clone53421]

And if I kick the tyre on the vehicle to make sure it’s solidly built and the tyre falls off and rolls across the floor? Am I liable for vandalizing their display model?

Grow up.

[Anonymous Coward]

What is the point? Few, if any, really care.

Is it wrong?

[Yunzil]

Is it wrong of me to think that it would be awesome if everybody did this to every phone?

Yes. Yes it is.

Apple tells me...

[damn_registrars]

Here's a fork - you know where to stick it to see if you're done.

I believe the proper location for said fork was the ADB port. Unfortunately as we know ADB is now legacy, so you'll have to buy a $70 adapter from Apple to convert USB to ADB and insert your fork.

Do something Similar That Won't Get You In Trouble

[Auto_Lykos]

Just walk in, open up Safari, and load the latest iPhone warning piece on Slashdot. Nothing "illegal" and it still gives the next chump something to think about before they buy it. :)

Please don't

[kimvette]

Please don't do this shit. You're only drawing Apple's attention to the jailbreak even more, which will make them even more vigilant in their attempts to prevent users from jailbreaking the iPhones they own.

Besides, you did commit a felony doing this; you do not own that iPhone so by jailbreaking it, you accessed a computer without authorization.

Re:Please don't

[sea4ever]

If they do become more vigilant and the next generation of iphones are even harder to jailbreak then that might allow the people to see iphones for what they really are:
Extremely expensive chunks of hardware that are locked-down into a small set of uses.
Maybe it'd even ignite the movement to something more open.

Leading to the new signs in the Apple stores

[ThatsNotPudding]

"You (jail)break it, you bought it."

Re:Leading to the new signs in the Apple stores

[Anonymous Coward]

"You (jail)break it, you bought it."

I suspect that a transaction of monetary nature will also be included in the bargain.

(It's, "You break it, you buy it.")

I just hope there's a jailbreak fix for the exploi

[Myria]

I just hope that someone makes a tool for the jailbreak that patches Preview to fix the same PDF bug that was used to install the jailbreak. I don't want to be forced to use an insecure version (4.0.1) just to have a jailbroken phone.

Wrong.

[njfuzzy]

Legal with your own property. Vandalism if it belongs to Apple, which is the case with the display models.

Reminds me of the good old C= 64 days...

[Sheepless]

when I memorized the series of POKE commands needed to change the prompt so I could do it at the store.... Ah the memories. :)

Wrongness

[Anonymous Coward]

Is it wrong of me to think that it would be awesome if everybody did this to every phone? I mean, it's legal now!

It's wrong of you to waste time and money on a device where you have to jailbreak it in the first place. The iPhone is like a games console. I wanted a phone that was more like a desktop computer so I bought a Nokia N900. I don't have to jailbreak it. I can install whatever I want on it by default.

Wouldn't it be great

[drwav]

If once you jailbreak you could download a patch from Cydia that fixed the security hole?

The irony would be delicious.

Redundant

[maztec]

Not only is this not news now, this isn't even original. This happened long ago as others have pointed out, but furthermore it was done with the iPhone 2G when it was broken by a similar exploit.

Nah

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd prefer a phone that is insecure and I can take ownership of the security myself (like using Firefox in Windows) as opposed to using a blackberry where I have no ownership of squat and can be raped without ever knowing it..