Apple Pulls Old iPhone Firmware

Shortly after we posted all the old iPhone firmware download links on our Apple Phone Encyclopedia section, Apple has taken them offline.

It’s pretty clear why they did this… old iPhone firmwares are only useful to those who hack the iPhone. And, by taking them offline, Apple ensures that it’s one step harder to obtain the tools needed to unlock the iPhone.

Our real question is… why did Apple let those firmwares stay up for this long? iPhone has been out for nearly two years, before Apple pulled the plug on hosting old firmware versions.

And, we think we know the answer. Apple recently asked the U.S. Copyright Office to not remove iPhone hacks from the list of DMCA-protected acts, and took the legal opinion (two years too late) that hacking your iPhone is illegal. This came as the EFF is asking the USCO to make iPhone hacking unquestionably legal, by removing any DMCA vaguries via an exemption.

Thus, Apple couldn’t keep tacitly permitting jailbreaking. Apple of course wants to support jailbreaking, so long as it doesn’t become mainstream (since jailbreaking keeps the Apple base happy, but without being popular enough to undermine their business model). So, as Apple asks the USCO to change the rules of the game, they have to remove the old firmwares… keeping their policy consistent on all fronts.

One final thing… Apple left up the original iPhone old firmwares, while only pulling the iPhone 3G old firmwares. It’s pretty clear that Apple doesn’t care if original iPhones get hacked, which is supported by their lack of attempts to protect the SIM lock on it. Unlocking original iPhones help maintain the resale value of Apple products in general… boosting Apple’s bottom line, by reducing the cost difference between old-and-new models.