Apple Thoughts - News & Reviews on all things Apple

"The problem isn’t that the version of iPhone OS 3.0 floating around the Web contains a trojan or anything, the new OS simply checks with the mother ship to make sure that the user has an active and paid up Apple Developer Connection account. And once you go 3.0, there’s no turning back."

Ouch. That's gonna leave a mark. You're left with two options: swap it under warranty, or pay the $100 for an ADC account. Doing either should get you running again.

And next time, read the fine print!

"As she ticked off her holiday-shopping list, public-relations executive Rebecca Sullivan prepared to buy her husband an iPhone. But like many other potential gift-givers, she was thwarted in trying to put the hottest handset around under the Christmas tree."

When I bought my first iPhone, it was a lot easier since I could take it home and activate it right from my computer. For some consumers wanting the element of surprise, the current requirement to activate in-store may have put a damper on it, and I suppose could have actually affected sales. One alternative that is offered is a gift card from Apple, but that certainly doesn't have the same effect as being able to watch someone open up a package and see the iPhone box. For me, though, I just worked around it. I was told by AT&T when I purchased my wife's iPhone 3G, that her current iPhone would be in service for about 3 hours and then would no longer be active, which gave me a small window, but a window nonetheless. And for my daughter's iPhone, we surprised her with a visit to the Apple Store, which is a treat in and of itself when you live where we live. If you want the iPhone bad enough I don't think this roadblock will stop you.