Teen trades unlocked iPhone for Nissan 350Z
updated 01:20 pm EDT, Mon August 27, 2007
Unlocked iPhone for 350Z
George Hotz, the soon-to-be college student from New Jersey who unlocked the iPhone for use on wireless carriers other than AT&T via a complex hardware method that involves soldering internal components and using a number of command line utilities, has traded the unlocked device for a Nissan 350Z and three 8GB iPhones. Hotz originally put the modified iPhone up for auction on eBay, but experienced problems with fraudulent bids as well as other issues, posting "I have had tons of problems with ebay and this auction. If you are serious about buying the phone, please e-mail me with your phone number." In the midst of the difficulties, Terry Daidone, the founder of Certicell -- a company that provides "solutions for the wireless aftermarket" -- contacted Hotz and made him an offer.
The deal calls for Hotz to exchange the unlocked iPhone for a Nissan 350Z and three 8GB iPhones, which Hotz plan to distribute thusly: "I will be sending the iPhones, unlocked if they wish, to jpetrie (the first donater), gray (the reversing genius), and iProof (who is truly amazing at finding stuff online)."
As for his future plans, aside from starting college this fall, Hotz says he may work on other iPhone initiative,s but not a software unlock. "I have a few cool ideas for things I want to do with the phone, like a cell phone tower based gps. I will detail everything on (my) blog."
Separately, hackers claim to have successfully unlocked Apple's iPhone without modifying any hardware. The iPhoneSIMfree.com team say they have cracked Apple's iPhone SIM lock system with a working unlocked handset. The unlocked phone used a T-Mobile SIM card in place of AT&T's default card, allowing the users to make calls, send text messages, and check email on an iPhone using their chosen T-Mobile service provider.
umm
08/27, 02:14pm reply
An 18 year old with a 350z. Nice knowing ya...
l008com
Professional Poster
Joined: Jan 2000
details details
08/27, 02:25pm reply
"…via a complex hardware method that involves soldering internal components"
Two wires and a temporary switch are hardly "internal components" The hardware method is not complex, but close to impossible due to the tiny size of the iphone circuit wires. It's more like "difficult".
Anyway, the car and three iphones are an awesome deal, much better than what he was offered on his website $550 or so. And yes his eBay auction did go haywire, fake buyers jacked the bidding price upto $99,999,999!!! Why do people do that?
BelugaShark
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
future plans…
08/27, 02:54pm reply
Hopefully it's not that difficult, he'll have to do at least one of those a week to pay for his car insurance… :P
Super Glitcher
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Aug 2003
re: umm...
08/27, 03:45pm reply
Dude, it's a 350z, not a Vette, Porsche, etc. It's a fun car, but definitely not in the dangerous range for inexperienced drivers...
bloodshot
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2006
re: re: umm...
08/27, 04:22pm reply
so... a 300hp rear wheel drive car is not dangerous? hahahahahahahhahaha
great trade though
schwank
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Wow
08/27, 04:46pm reply
Amazing! Some idiot buys an unlocked phone for three phones plus a car, and no one mentions that someone's got to be an idiot to offer that much to begin with. Especially for a phone whose warranty is already voided.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
the tax man...
08/27, 05:23pm reply
cometh! He'll get to report that as income! Probably just thought it would be 'free.'
smitch
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2005
(wow)
08/27, 05:44pm reply
I don't think the ceo who bought the phone has any 'care' for $40G's or for 3 iPhones either... basically it's free publicity for his company, well worth the investment for the free press alone... If I was the hacker kid I would have bargained the car the 3 phones and an internship with college credits and an expense account... which he'll probably get from some hi-tech company soon enough...
hokizpokis
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007
re (wow)
08/27, 11:18pm reply
He's employed with the firm as a consultant. The car is probably part of the renumeration.
thesearcher
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Mar 2002
re-what?
08/28, 10:31am reply
It's "remuneration" - why do people always get that wrong!?
Clive
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001