http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/ Engadget Comments for iPhone hacker says the device 'calls home' to Apple, allows apps to be remotely disabled http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 10:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 10:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 10:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
You paid for the phone, you own that damn phone! period!

If you do indeed own the phone, you can do what ever to it.

I said, screw Apple!!]]>Aug 7th 2008 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
The same monitoring is probably done on BlackBerrys by IT people, so malicious apps don't get installed.

"I always feel like somebody's watching me ..." - Rockwell
]]>Aug 7th 2008 10:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
Obviously not everyone frequents the "many other blog sites" to which you refer. Besides that, when was the last time a story on Engadget wasn't sourced from someplace else? I'm sure a lot like me come to get tech news, not tech scoops.]]>Aug 7th 2008 11:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 11:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 11:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
You don't own the phone, unless you paid the early termination fee. Until then you're just leasing or renting it ... AT&T, or the provider owns the phone. The same way there are limits to what you can do to a car that you're leasing, there will be limits on a phone you're leasing.

I imagine those that ranked you high suffer from the same ... "this is my car" delusion.


.]]>Aug 7th 2008 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
echo "iphone-services.apple.com 127.0.0.1" >> /private/etc/hosts

]]>Aug 7th 2008 11:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
"...but by all *appearances*, this has been added to disable..."

I believe Apple is capable of doing this, however, Suggestions and appearances do not impress me. Have you considered that this guy is just looking for attention? Has he been able to sniff packets?

Like I said, it's possible, but I want more than suggestions and appearances before I get concerned.
]]>Aug 7th 2008 12:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
You got it all backwards... Once you buy the iPhone, Apple owns YOU. If you look at it that way everything becomes clear.]]>Aug 7th 2008 12:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 12:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
Then explain to me how I was able to rip Ronin and Pulp Fiction last night and put them on my 2.0.1 iPhone.

Maybe the problem is the user, not the firmware...]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Dude it's not a question whether you are doing anything shady or not, it's the question of privacy. I don't do anything shady in my apt but it still doesn't give cops the right to enter my apt anytime they want or place a bug in my apt. In any case since it is MY phone I have the right to do anything I want with it. If I want to install a malicious app then I should be allowed to. Apple can however NOT service my phone in such case and if the app hacks into Apple's system then surely they can sue my ass over it. Apple should be looking at protecting their system more robustly NOT installing snooping software / code. I mean they should focus their efforts in fixing Mobile Me and having lesser down times on their online store.

@Prasand
ETF has nothing to do with Equipment Discount. ETF is a contract term. No you are not leasing the equipment from ATT. You still have to pay the ETF even if you DONT buy any equipment from ATT. You just buy the line. Original iPhone users paid the full price on the phone and yet have to pay ETF even if they disconnect. Since ATT didn't pay the full price on the phone, it cannot be called as leased equipment and they don't itemize this in their bills. Also, if you move out of ATT coverage area, you can disconnect their service, not pay the ETF and still keep the equipment.
That is why a court in CA recently ruled that ETFs are illegal in CA.]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
If you want privacy don't live in the USA, Apple are the least of your worries.]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 1:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 1:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
I guess your "knowledge" on the matter limits and prevents you from understanding the "concept".

Would you have comprehended it if I said, "you don't own the network that the web based product runs on, and thus can't do whatever you want"? -- Regardless of how we spin it, the person isn't free to do whatever they want ... short of disabling all web / network features, and using it as a PMP ... and even then at the end of the day, they'd still have to pay for that. The technicalities of a ETF, subsidy or whatever one wants to address ... doesn't negate the fact, that one can't do every and anything they want. -- Whether it's Apple disabling an app that violates something, or an ISP that disables network connectivity.

There are limits.

Even with the things you own.


.]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
I completely agree that with your “you don’t own the network” line … however think of it this way:

I don’t own the roads I drive on and frankly I understand the need for cops of the roads to protect myself and other drivers … what I have a problem with is the idea that one particular car manufacturer is installing a cop in MY car instead of putting them out on the road where they belong.
]]>Aug 7th 2008 2:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
I was just disagreeing with your statement "You don't own the phone, unless you paid the early termination fee." Even if I agree that I don't own the phone but I am just leasing it, it still doesn't give ATT or Apple the right to snoop into my phone. Take apt renting for example. Yes, I don't own the apt. But it still doesn't give the landlord any rights to come into my apt and do what ever they want. Yes, if I break things surely they can charge me.

And yes, ATT owns the network. But NOT the equipment which connects to it. Yes, ATT CAN prevent my iPhone or any other phone from connecting to their network if they detect I am running some undesired app or code. Say, teethering apps. But they cannot tell me NOT to install that app on my phone. Big Difference. By connecting to any network the network owner doesn't own the equipment.
Yes, I cannot do whatever I want on a public network but I can surely do whatever I can with the phone I own.]]>Aug 7th 2008 2:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 3:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 3:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
It's just as bad as COMMUNISTcast censoring your internet connection.]]>Aug 7th 2008 4:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
I paid cash for my car. It is indeed MY CAR. And no you are not leasing it (the iPhone). You got a discount on it because you sign up for a contract which guarantees the phone carrier an income for the next how ever many years. Do you even listen to yourself when you talk (or type)? Clearly apple wants to control what apps are on the iPhone because it means for them....get ready for it....MORE MONEY. Leasing it would require payments for the phone and not for the actual cell phone service.

That's why huge corporations suck so much. They screw the consumer at every corner and with some clever advertising and a largely uninformed population, they get away with it. The iPod phenomenon (yea, it is just that) is nothing more than good advertising. THAT'S IT.

There are better MP3 players than the iPod, better cell phones than the iPhone (the Nokia N95 8GB for example), and MUCH better computers than Mac's all for a fraction of the cost of the Apple product. It is all about the money, and when dealing with a money hungry corporation like Microsoft, Apple, ect. you are going to lose your privacy.

Wait and see what happens with your DVR's...they've been collecting information on you and what you watch for years now. Soon they will collaborate with car companies, clothing, electronics, ect. and have advertisements directed at you depending on what you bought.

Apple is and will monitor what apps you have and control which ones will work, ect. its not about mal-ware. that is the biggest load of b.s. you could ever take from Jobs if you excuse the fact that he says his products are worth the price. ]]>Aug 7th 2008 4:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 6:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/More serious than let's say Apple partner T-Mobile spying on their customers (at least there they had not financial damage in the first place, but a massive attack on their privacy)

Also its existence being known and confirmed is likely to add a target to all sorts of hackers or "wizkids" trying to trigger such a switch with their own software on iPhones...

And you are absolutely right, the "we do this for your protection" argument is about as sound and serious, as Russia's reasons behind bombing Georgia even further into stone age.]]>Aug 12th 2008 11:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 10:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
I'd have to agree... indeed, "She's All That" and more]]>Aug 7th 2008 10:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 10:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 5:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 10:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
On topic - I agree partially with Olly here, but then I also think of the tethering app that came out last week which was first discontinued and then was back in the App store. What are the chances they could decide after you've paid your money for that app that they decide it does go against their ToS and they take it off your phone? I could definitely foresee that as a problem.]]>Aug 7th 2008 10:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Don't get your panties all knotted up little one, we're just injecting a bit of humor into the comments.]]>Aug 7th 2008 10:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
]]>Aug 7th 2008 10:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 11:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
F this. We are seeing history in the making. A brand that stood for the rebels and free thinkers is now becoming "the Dictator". The very thing it stood up against.

I would spit on my Apple desktop, but it cost me an arm and leg to get it. But i will spit on Jobs...for being power hungry and greedy.

Jobs! I spit on you! And I Spit t your Apple logo. *F" you.


]]>Aug 7th 2008 11:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
Adding/removing software remains infinitely more logical and functional than certain other OSes.

... and now back to your iPhone comments..]]>Aug 7th 2008 11:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
I spit in your general direction!]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
"You Either Die A Hero, Or Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become The Villain"]]>Aug 7th 2008 2:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 5:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 6:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
Could that possibly mean class action suit?]]>Aug 7th 2008 10:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
In any case, I think that even if your phone finds out that one of its installed apps is listed in that page, it will most likely simply warn you and offer you the choice of disabling/removing said app, I doubt it will simply wipe the app off without confirmation.

Again: the phone *doesn't* send any info about your apps, it simply downloads a list of dangerous apps to check against, much like an antivirus virus definition file.]]>Aug 7th 2008 10:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
You guys bought a locked and crippled device, now you get to live with it for 2 years. Maybe you'll vote with your dollars in the future instead of buying into the next fad.]]>Aug 7th 2008 10:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/
Fanboy. Since Apple has to authorize all apps, the ONLY thing this is for is app recall and breaking jailbreak apps. Your phone is crippled and Apple controls it. You're trying to spin this into a positive by regurgitating Apple's official response, when it's a way to make sure you only use your phone in an approved manner. Haha, you don't own your phone.]]>Aug 7th 2008 10:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/iphone-hacker-says-the-device-calls-home-to-apple-allows-apps/Aug 7th 2008 10:35AM