It’s Sunday and I am hacking my second iPhone (a friend’s). I’ve been on Apple for 4 years, and prior to that, I was on Windows for 9 years.

The point of this article is not to bash Microsoft, there are enough articles on that. And here is a video on the topic:

The point is to say that while (in my opinion), Apple produces better products, Apple’s corporate vision is as dangerous as Microsoft’s. Both are aiming to box users into their proprietary formats and their applications. I realized just how strong a grip Apple has on its user when I set off to hack my iPhone OOB 1.1.2. I got the hack from GeoHot a few days ago. I am usually pretty enthusisatic (not cultist) about some of Apple’s avant-garde products. But the iPhone’s lock down was oppressive enough for me to support the hacking of Apple products so as to allow access to source and unrestricted operation of the devices. A few years ago I met Richard Stallman ( of The Free Software Foundation/GNU Project ), and at the time, I got a glimpse of what the fight was about; although he does not advocate hacking, merely boycotting.

There is a difference between a software lockdown and hardware lockdown. Until today, I had never seen a piece of hardware so shamelessly rendered useless by its manufacturer. I would certainly feel bothered about using a piece of pirated software on my computer because I have the choice to look for an open source alternative. In the case of the iPhone, I have the option of not buying an iPhone. But there is something profoundly revolting about bowing to the will of Apple and AT&T while getting overcharged for sub-standard plans for 2 years.

I believe…

1. Any hardware/software device, once purchased, should allow its user to take advantage of its full programmed capabilities

2. (on a slightly different note) While applications may choose to be closed source, they should always use an open file format so that other applications can fairly compete and contribute in the best interest of the user.

I think that proprietary software is a necessary reality because of the logistics and costs involved in the development. However proprietary file formats are simply designed to confine users to a particular software. That paves the way for gross abuse of power by large software manufacturers. Proprietary hardware is another ball game altogether, I have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that the device I hold in my hand - which is mine - does not work because I haven’t signed up for a price-gouged phone plan designed by two big monopolies.
That said, here is a good guide to unlock your iPhone