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Steve Jobs Confirms iPhone Has a Kill Switch
NewsFactor ^ | 8/12/08 | PAPASMURF

Posted on 08/12/2008 7:56:16 PM PDT by papasmurf

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has confirmed that the iPhone 3G has a kill switch that can remotely remove software from the devices. {snip} But the real controversy started when Jonathan Zdziarski, author of the books iPhone Open Application Development and iPhone Forensics Manual, discovered a URL buried in Apple's firmware. That URL links to a file dubbed "unauthorizedApps" where malicious or simply bad apps might go once they disappear from the App Store.

According to Zdziarski, I Am Rich isn't the only app to disappear. BoxOffice (renamed to Now Playing) and NullRiver's NetShare were also removed. But removing the applications from the App Store and removing them from a consumer's iPhone are two different issues.

"The kill switch is a very controlling gesture. I am not sure why Apple didn't disclose it up front...

(Excerpt) Read more at newsfactor.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: apple; ilovebillgates; iphone; iwanthim; iwanthimbad; microsoft; microsoftfanboys; tech
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Now if Microsoft did that with the Pocket PC Phone, millions would jumping up and down swearing that Bill Gates, aka Satan, was controlling their devices remotely. LOL

Pretty sad Apple didn't disclose up front. But then, it goes along with their philosophy of not telling the whole truth. Same as Microsoft.

1 posted on 08/12/2008 7:57:02 PM PDT by papasmurf
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To: papasmurf

wonder what other convenient features it has.


2 posted on 08/12/2008 7:58:06 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand
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To: Swordmaker

forbidden-fruit ping.


3 posted on 08/12/2008 7:58:40 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand
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To: papasmurf; BRK; ShadowAce

iPhone/Apple *ping*


4 posted on 08/12/2008 7:58:42 PM PDT by papasmurf (This space left blank intentionly.)
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To: the invisib1e hand

Makes one wonder, doesn’t it?


5 posted on 08/12/2008 7:59:37 PM PDT by papasmurf (This space left blank intentionly.)
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To: papasmurf

Hmmm...I bet my iPod Touch has the same thing embedded in it.


6 posted on 08/12/2008 8:00:44 PM PDT by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: Jeff Head

Well, I’ve flashed and re-flashed my PPC Phone dozens of times, I know what’s in it.


7 posted on 08/12/2008 8:03:17 PM PDT by papasmurf (This space left blank intentionly.)
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To: Jeff Head
Hmmm...I bet my iPod Touch has the same thing embedded in it.

Maybe. Unless the kill switch is new and your phone is old.

8 posted on 08/12/2008 8:05:12 PM PDT by null and void (Barack zerObama - International Man of Mystery...)
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To: papasmurf
I have the 3G IPhone, and IMHO it has BIG problems. The 3G is very bad. I live in one of the largest metro areas in the country and I have to keep 3G turned off. The 3G IPhone is dog slow at times for no apparent reason. The battery life is more than horrendous. Overall, I would not use the 3G IPhone in business. Wait for the RIMM Blackberry Bold.

I had the first version of the IPhne, and after installed OS 2.0, it was a good device.

9 posted on 08/12/2008 8:06:19 PM PDT by devane617 (we are so screwed)
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To: null and void

32Gb iPod Touch about 6 weeks old.


10 posted on 08/12/2008 8:09:55 PM PDT by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: devane617

My buddy in Chicago said the exact same thing. Lucky for him he gave his old one to his Mom, and she doesn’t give a squat about 3G, she just wants to call her bridge partners across town. LOL So he swapped with her.


11 posted on 08/12/2008 8:10:01 PM PDT by papasmurf (This space left blank intentionly.)
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To: Jeff Head

OK, now, I’d like to have an iPod.

My wife’s boss gave her the latest, greatest iPod last month. He bought it at Best Buy. I played with it for a day, then it disappeared. So I asked her where she put it.

She took it to Best Buy and got the money on a card and bought herself a new vacuum cleaner! LOLOLOLOL


12 posted on 08/12/2008 8:16:15 PM PDT by papasmurf (This space left blank intentionly.)
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To: papasmurf

That sucks.


13 posted on 08/12/2008 8:17:43 PM PDT by null and void (Barack zerObama - International Man of Mystery...)
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To: null and void

Yeah it does. I wanted it!


14 posted on 08/12/2008 8:18:47 PM PDT by papasmurf (This space left blank intentionly.)
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To: Jeff Head

I’d guess it does.

Any side bets on it being able to kill one’s ability to switch networks?


15 posted on 08/12/2008 8:19:30 PM PDT by null and void (Barack zerObama - International Man of Mystery...)
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To: null and void
Well, for the iPhone that is a consideration...but the iPod Touch is not a phone and access the internet over WiFi..so not applicable in that regard.

I love the device. Great graphics, Safari works great, plenty of room for music and videos, and the apps are nice.

Got mine on eBay refurbished for $355 (retail is $499) and when I got it I took the serial number onto the Apple site and bought the extended warranty (there were 11 months left on the original 12 month warranty so the device was only 1 month old). Has worked like a champ ever since.

16 posted on 08/12/2008 8:23:42 PM PDT by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: papasmurf

I gave my old phone to one of the kids, so it’s still around. Since I don’t need it for business, I will keep the 3G, but am extremely disappointed in the performance. I do not recommend anyone buy the 3G until they have the bugs worked out. And APPL really needs to allow the consumer to change the battery. Since the battery life is so poor, I keep my cradled all the time when at home, and plugged in when in the car.


17 posted on 08/12/2008 8:26:36 PM PDT by devane617 (we are so screwed)
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To: the invisib1e hand
" wonder what other convenient features it has. "

Execute a regime change in Iran ?
18 posted on 08/12/2008 10:12:42 PM PDT by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
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To: papasmurf

This seems like a pretty typical thing for a company to do that is run by a bunch of arrogant liberals. Wait, was I referring to Apple or Microsoft?

Probably not much difference except one makes software that works most of the time and the other makes software that works some of the time.


19 posted on 08/12/2008 10:32:35 PM PDT by 43north (The democrats are the party of evil.)
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To: papasmurf
Color me shocked. /sarc

Waiting for the Mac ping list guys to defend this...

20 posted on 08/12/2008 10:36:06 PM PDT by thecabal
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