iPhone Hackers -- Stop the Whining

I find it interesting that Apple provides a rather impressive update in upgrade 1.1.1 and one group of users want to file a class-action suit against Apple because of what the update did to their hacked phone. Even more surprising, these individuals are upset even though Apple warned them that applying the update had a high probability of 1) wiping out any hacked applications added to the iPhone; and 2) possibly bricking the iPhone if it has been unlocked for use on other phone carriers' networks.

I cannot think of a single product that you can buy where you can make unauthorized alterations and get the product serviced under the company's original warranty. Why the hacker community thinks this should be possible is unreasonable. In similar fashion, I can think of many products where making unauthorized changes may damage the product, cause the product to not operate properly, or cause the product to stop working all together. For example, when you add a non-factory authorized component to an automobile and it damages the car, the user is responsible, not the auto company. If you buy a PC and overclock the CPU and it ends up damaging the chip, the user is responsible, not the manufacturer. If you make unauthorized changes to software and subsequent updates cause the software to not operate properly or become inoperable, it is the user responsible, not the software vendor.

Why then do iPhone hackers think that Apple has an obligation to protect their iPhones when they have made unauthorized changes to them? Using the same logic, you could argue that had your hacking damaged the phone, Apple should be liable in that case too. Using this flawed logic, the guy that was trying to unlock his iPhone and ended up frying the whole device should be able to get a replacement from Apple, no questions asked. What a ridiculous belief.

If you want your iPhone to operate properly, don't hack it. If you do, you do so at your own risk. Quit blaming Apple. If you don't like how Apple is treating you, go to a phone manufacturer that will cover your phone when you make unauthorized changes to it. Good luck finding one.