The last 5 days or so have seen a spate of announcements from basement-dwelling geeks all around the planet who claim to have unlocked the iPhone. Some have used hardware and software mods, others have just used software. What does iPhone unlocking really amount to?

Not much, if you ask me. In most user satisfaction polls I've read about the iPhone, the $500 to $600 device scores high approval ratings. Do users who are already happy gain anything from unlocking the iPhone?

True, I guess it means they could ditch their AT&T contracts and switch to another carrier (most likely T-Mobile in the U.S.). But that's not necessarily an improvement, especially when you consider the fact that you're losing certain functionalities of the device, such as visual voicemail. And guess what, the iPhone is still restricted to the same EDGE network on T-Mobile as it is on AT&T. It is restricted to EDGE no matter what network it is used with.

Detaching it from the AT&T network is one thing. But total software control is another. Apple misstepped when it made the iPhone such a closed system. While I can see Steve Jobs' point of view (that he wanted users to have a stable experience and third-party applications could cause potential issues for the iPhone), I don't think it is an entirely valid argument. Sure, there is a lot of potential for some cool iPhone applications. We've already seen some interesting workarounds via the browser. I trust Apple to develop good applications itself, however, and pass them down to the iPhone when they are ready.

Another thing to consider, are there really that many people waiting to buy an iPhone that is unlocked, free of AT&T's network, and free to be modded and hacked? How much is it going to cost? Will the unlocking software (which assuredly has value) be available for free or will people have to pay for it? AT&T legal has already contacted several of the groups who've claimed to unlock the iPhone. What legal pitfalls will people be treading, and do they even care about them?

Since none of the groups who've unlocked the iPhone have made the software widely available yet, they have to care at least a little bit.

In the end, I think unlocked iPhones will only satisfy a small minority of users.

Do you think iPhones should be unlocked? Do you plan to unlock yours? Leave a comment at the InformationWeek Blog.

Eric Zeman
eric@zemanmedia.com
www.informationweek.com

SaaS, Mashups, And The End Run On IT Departments
In its early days, one of the hottest selling points for software as a service was "you know, you don't really need your IT department to do this." SaaS vendors have to be more subtle these days. But end-user mashup tools could raise some of the same questions of how much end users should do without IT's help.

Blocking The Ad Blockers: Formula For Success?
A Web site owner is protesting a Firefox plug-in, Adblock Plus, that blocks advertisements. He's doing it by blocking all Firefox users from his site, whether they're running Firefox or not. It's a gutsy move. As Microsoft with its Windows Genuine Advantage screw-up this weekend reminds us, nothing builds relationships with your customers quite like giving the impression you're calling them all thieves and liars.

5 Keys to Social Networking Success
Investors are flocking to fund social networking startups. How can you identify a good investment? Here are five key characteristics, backed up with real-world examples.

Is Unlocking The iPhone Really Going To Change Anything?
The last 5 days or so have seen a spate of announcements from basement-dwelling geeks all around the planet who claim to have unlocked the iphone. Some have used hardware and software mods, others have just used software. What does iPhone unlocking really amount to?

A Clean New Internet?
Sometimes, when things aren't going your way, the best way to handle things is to simply walk away. At least, that's the philosophy being followed by the Japanese communications ministry, which apparently intends to build a new Internet.

Refurbished Equipment Redux
We raised some questions about the quality of refurbished devices in the Over the Air blog recently. True to form, a tidy little survey shows up after we publish saying that refurbed units just aren't that good.

Did Apple Hurt Its Loyal Customers? Or Bravely Resist Software Bloat?
Computer users complain continuously about software bloat, so you'd think we'd applaud a vendor's efforts to simplify and slim down a popular application. That's what Apple did with iMovie '08 -- but it's got some of Apple's most loyal users squawking that Apple turned a once-powerful application into crippleware.

What's The Rule For Embedding Open Source Software?
I just talked with two CIOs who have different takes on embedding open source software in their companies' products. One sees it as standard practice, the other approaches it like a snake in a bag.

Ubuntu Adds Ho-Hum Features In Latest 'Gutsy Gibbon' Alpha
Ubuntu, the Linux distro which I've personally found to be somewhat less than it's cracked up to be -- your mileage may vary -- is getting an update.

Path to Profit: Transform your Underwriting Processes
Join Insurance & Technology Editorial Director Kathy Burger, Cindy De Armond, Partner, Insurance Industry Practice, IBM Global Business Services, and Mark B. Gorman, Strategic Research Advisor, Insurance, TowerGroup, to gain insights into how integrating analytics and operations can transform the underwriting process.

Featured Jobs:

BreakthroughIT seeking Project Manager in Groton, CT

Monsanto seeing IT Transportation and Optimization Analyst in St. Louis, MO

Princeton Financial Systems seeking Business Analyst 4 in Princeton, NJ

CSAA seeking IT Analyst IV in Glendale, AZ

DisplaySearch seeking IT Project Manager in Austin, TX

For more great jobs, career-related news, features and services, please visit our "Career Center.

Try InformationWeek's RSS Feed

Discover all InformationWeek's sites and newsletters

More than 20,000 IT terms, more than 20,000 definitions:
All at your fingertips, all in TechEncyclopedia

Saw a TechWeb feature you want to see again?