As per the email they have started taking only bulk orders with pricing starting at $36 each for 50 licenses to $25 each for 5000 licenses and do not plan to sell the software-only unlocking method to end users. This is what they had to say about selling it to end users:
"Iphonesimfree.com is a wholesale only company. Although we could, we do not and will not sell directly to end users, because we want to work together with our valuable resellers as a team and not interfere in their business."
I guess it is to cover themselves from the legal hurdles which had delayed the iPhone hack from being released to the public as soon as Engadget first demonstrated the unlocking method to work on T-Mobile. So how will it all work?
"The reseller or his/her customer must install on the iphone our software, available by mail or through direct download from our site. This is a standard .app file and once installed on the iphone it will show up as a springboard icon on the main screen.
The reseller must log into our back office and enter the required data specific to that iphone (his license credit will be substracted).
Once done, the reseller or the customer must run the .app, which will communicate via the iphone wifi to our server. If the iphone has been registered, the software will proceed to unlock the iphone."
So for the end user it would not be as simple as unlocking the iPhone themselves. They would either have to buy a new iPhone, in case, the reseller sells the unlock code only bundled with the iPhone, or buy it from one of those resellers offering the unlock service at a premium.
Here is what they have to say regarding guarantees against future updates:
"We CANNOT guarantee that this software will work after any future updates for the iphone. It does currently work on all firmware versions, up to and including, 1.02.
We will naturally try to provide our resellers an updated version of our software for each firmware update, it is in our interest, but we do NOT guarantee that we will be able to do so.
The delivery date for the unlocking software is September 4th, 2007. Stay tuned @ iPhoneHacks.com for further updates on this story.
Thanks Trash for sending this in!
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They are now being sold on ebay, in order for the bulk order to be filled, 250 must be sold. payment will be made once the unlock has been confirmed and given, here is the link:
http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZeightsixtyseven
Save your money!
This is good news for one reason only: They have proven that the unlock process can be performed through software loaded on the iPhone. If true, it's just a matter of time before the talented iPhone dev team comes up with a freeware solution that you can perform in your own home. Either way you're hacking your phone and either way your warranty is voided. Why not just wait a little while for an open source solution?
To be clear: iphonesimfree.com has every right to earn a profit on their hard work, and I wish them nothing but the best of luck. However, iPhone users also have every right to find an equivalent solution and put them out of business…
they have a right to make a profit but I don't think their approach is in the spirit of the iPhone community. I would not have a problem paying for an unlock ( if it's reasonable) but their approach is just a commercial rip off.
if i got this software to unlock the iphone, could i switch it over to verizon??
$100? a bit gouge-ish, no?