New iPhone 3GS Model Updates Boot ROM, Blocks Jailbreak Completely
1:31 pm, October 14th, 2009, Sayam Aggarwal
Expert iPhone hackers confirm that the newest iPhone 3GS model updates the bootrom to iBoot 359.3.2, which completely blocks all the current jailbreak solutions, including PwnageTool and blackra1n. The new model that started shipping last week has an iBoot that ‘fixes’ 24kpwn exploit, which is currently the base of all the aforementioned jailbreak solutions.
Found at first by a hacker named Mathieu Hervais, it has now been confirmed by DevTeam members CPICH and MuscleNerd. This means that the hackers will now have to work hard on finding a completely new solution.
Those who want to jailbreak might be able to find an older/refurbished iPhone with an earlier boot ROM. Otherwise, you will have to wait till the next major jailbreak solution, which might take months.
Apple has been preventing users from jailbreaking since the first ever firmware update. The main reason behind this is prevent customers from unlocking their iPhones to use with different carriers. Most jailbroken devices end up being unlocked at some stage, which has a negative impact on carrier’s monopoly of the device. This indirectly effects Apple’s earnings.
Another reason could be piracy, which too has a similar impact in terms of reduction in revenue from the AppStore. But preventing jailbreak to stop piracy sounds pretty lame as Apple definitely has the potential to develop a better and effective anti-piracy system.
Pretty bad news but will it really prevent you from getting a new iPhone 3GS?
Posted by Sayam Aggarwal in Hardware, News, iPhone 3G S | Comment on this article
Wondering how those iPhones officially sold unlocked in Hong Kong and Europe work in the US……
MacRat, on October 14th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I’ve got a feeling the “main reason” behind this is to fix a security hole.
AaronS, on October 14th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
i am so glad i bought one when i did lol i broke my 2g last week and bought a 3gs on friday from best buy. so glad i didn’t wait any longer cause mine is hacked now
Justin Reeves, on October 14th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Hey check it – http://www.letemsvetemapplem.cz – new daily podcast about apple !
nice.j, on October 14th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Blocks jb. or fixed the exploit?
Deocliciano Okssipin Vieira, on October 14th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Apple must realise that it really doesn’t matter what they do, the phone will get jail broken… but if they want to keep wasting time and money blocking it, so be it.
Basyarah, on October 14th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Well that’s driven the prices up on the second-hand market! LOL!
Fuzzypig, on October 14th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Lucky me, thx Vodafone for one of the first models
Check out my story @ http://www.webcoffee.eu/blog/29-iphone-3gs-suspiciously-good-purchase
Pedro Manchini, on October 15th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Those phones sold factory unlocked will still work the same way they always have. People paid all their cash upfront to apple for those devices so they don’t care about getting money back via a contract with a carrier.
Besides this, why doesn’t this article mention Apples other big concern? Besides unlocking, a jailbreak allows a user to install .IPA’s on their own without itunes.. both pirated and public domain. This is a source of a lot of revenue for the iphone as well as keeping developers developing great apps. Without a revenue source, many of the iphone developers would walk away possibly creating an opportunity for winmo or palm to jump in and grab back iphones market share.
nsfw, on October 15th, 2009 at 9:49 am