AT&T Cracks Down On Commercial iPhone Unlocking Groups

It was bound to happen: AT&T is going after the commercial snakes groups trying to profit from the iPhone unlocking. Apparently they can hunt these mercenaries down. You can still 100% unlock with the TurboSIM method but, once again, there is only one way to really blow up the Death Star: Support the iPhone Dev Team to get the FREE software unlock and keep advancing native software development for the iPhone.



Press Release August 25th, 2007

iphoneunlocking.com, a subsidiary of UniquePhones (www.uniquephones.com).
was poised and ready to release remote software unlocking services for the
iphone today at 12 noon EST. The sale of unlocking codes is on hold after the
company received a telephone call from a Menlo Park, California, law firm at
approximately 2:54 a.m. this morning (GMT).

After saying they were phoning on behalf of AT&T, the law firm
presented issues such as copyright infringement and illegal software
dissemination. Uniquephones is taking legal advice to ascertain whether AT&T
was sending a warning shot or directly threatening legal action. The logistics
of different continents as well as it being a weekend factors into how the
situation develops.

Until an assessment is made of the potential of legal action,
Uniquephones is unable to release the unlocking software for sale. The company
spokesperson also said that the company would also be evaluating what to
eventually do with the software should they be legally denied the right to sell
it. A substantial delay caused by any legal action would render the unlocking
software a less valuable commodity as well as creating unforeseen security
issues for the company.

Oh, and keep your eyes open during tomorrow and the weekend because the shit is about to hit the fan. [iPhone Unlocking]

Nokia Top Commercial Brand in the UK

A survey by the UK brand consultancy, 35 Communications has reported a 10-ten of UK brands, which put Nokia at position 2 - and the top commercial brand-name. Nearly one third of UK consumers distrust organisations. 35 asked them if they lost their wallet would 'brand X' return it. While 58% thought they would have it returned, 27% said 'no' based on their perceived lack of trust or confidence in the organisation.

The report found that in finance, travel and telecoms, consumer trust ratings are high (between 60 and 70%). 59% of consumers feel they are treated like adults, but 41% feel they are patronised or insulted by brands. In only a third of situations do consumers expect organisations to show real interest in issues that they have with them. In a significant minority, 17% of the brands surveyed are perceived to show no interest.

Says Thom Newton of 35 Communications: "The questions were designed to probe key factors such as trust, reliability, responsiveness, customer relationships and appeal - the components that determine the reputation of an organisation.

"For the survey, 35 chose only key business sectors that feature in the daily lives of British consumers: insurance/pensions, banks, telecoms, travel, transport, public sector and energy.
Into the mix, we added Citizens Advice. We felt the organisation was an anomaly, there to advise you when you're in need. If Citizens Advice performed well in the survey, this would further validate its integrity."

The Top 10 Most Liked Brands and Organisations:

1. Citizens Advice (volunteer group)
2. Nokia
3. Churchill (car insurance)
4. Scottish Widows (personal finance)
5. Nationwide (bank)
6. Virgin Trains (transport)
7. Standard Life (personal finance)
8. Thomas Cook (travel)
9. Prudential (personal finance)
10. British Airways (travel)

The Least Liked Brands and Organisations:

1. Local council (government)
2. Transport for London (public transport)
3. Thames Water (utility provider)
4. The Home Office (government)
5. London Underground (public transport)
6. BG (formerly British Gas) (utility provider)
7. HM Customs & Revenue (government)
8. Ryanair (transport)
9. DTI (government)
10. Npower (utility provider)