Apple voiding warranties, blacklisting hacked iPhones?

We don't foresee Apple chasing folks down that have modified their iPhone or anything, but at least one case has proven that you may want to return your handset to stock before attempting to have it serviced. According to a recent report, a handset running "some third-party apps" and operating on T-Mobile was flat out rejected when it entered an Apple store for service. More specifically, the employee reportedly said that "the warranty was voided," and added that the mobile was "blacklisted" against future service or return. 'Course, the owner did manage to coerce the Apple store manager to allow a return (albeit with a 10-percent restocking fee added on), but we'd highly recommend reverting your iPhone to AT&T mode before begging for service just in case.

[Via Digg, image courtesy of HamptonRoads]

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 23rd 2007 5:53PM]

Oh poor Apple, has to deal with all these sinister customers who wont just bend and spread. The apple bias in the tone of this article is so blatant, I can imagine how it would have been worded if it had been some other company. Shame on you engadget. It's getting worse by the day.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 25th 2007 12:41PM]

You bought the phone knowing you had to go with AT&T and now your crying you can't go to another provider is like buying a house at the end of an airport runway then start crying the planes are too loud. Geez you cry babies are really the sh*ts!!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 24th 2007 7:17PM]

This is crap. Apple sells Hardware and Software...Not phone contracts! Its none of Apple's business what I decide to do with my phone as long as I do not attempt to open the device and modify the hardware. Its not against the law to unlock a phone. The Iphone is a hardware device and if something is wrong with the phone's hardware (speaker volume too low or screen defected) then they should fix it. Apple does not force you to activate the phone with ATT when you purchase the device in the store, they sell the phone like they sell an Ipod or an apple computer. Apple needs to understand that we the people buy the Iphone because its an Apple product not an ATT product.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 25th 2007 3:35PM]

I have an iPhone with an active AT&T contract, and an AppleCare contract, that got bricked during the 1.1.1 upgrade.

The Genius at the Apple Store in The Falls, FL denied me service arguing that the iPhone was unlocked, and the irreparable damage BS. I did install 3rd party apps and unlocked the iPhone, but still paying my monthly due to AT&T.

As per Apple Contract I'm obliged to activate and have service with AT&T, which I have. But now I'm supposed to keep paying AT&T for the remainder of the 2 years, without been able to receive their service, and basically an expensive 8GB iPod Touch.

Appart from all the blame I can get for having tried to upgrade in spite of all the warnings, is there any way I may get Apple to perform service on my iPhone, even paying for it ?

I know I can revirginize it, but that's not the point.