@suneohair: Would it surprise you if apple had a way to kill unwanted apps on your phone? I mean really surprise you? It at least sounds like something they would do. That aside, the giz is at the same time entertaining and informative. A little sensationalism leans more towards the entertaining than the informative, but makes for a good read. If you have problems with the way they do business, either don't read their site, or complain in an appropriate way (email the editors).

Gann

It would have been, and still would be, fairly easy to test. Connect via Wi-Fi, spoof Apple's DNS to point to your own web server, make that file and put in the details of an application on the phone, and see what happens. If Darwin on the phone actually respects host files, then it's even easier jailbroken, since you can run a local web server on the phone, and point it there.

rjp

Whew! THAT was a close one :\

korymatthew

I am rather disappointed that Gizmodo, Engadget, and other blogs sensationalized this. Any fear present in iPhone users was a direct result of irresponsible blogs interjecting their unsubstantiated doomsday scenarios.

The biggest hint was that this was found inside the CoreLocation framework. That alone should have quashed any further speculation, at least until something official hit. Instead, we got, "Apple could remotely disable applications." And the crazy fest ensued.

Gizmodo, Engadget, and others have done this in the past with other bits of information that they irresponsibly report on to drive traffic. Others have asked for it, but can you be a little more responsible with the news you receive?

suneohair

@KBeat: If you have to criticize the author publicly, you could at least be a little more circumspect than suneohair. Giz did, however, tag this as unconfirmed which pretty much moots the point anyway in my opinion. They were merely reporting on speculations (not just their own) and did not try to sell any of it as hard fact.

Gann

@Gann: Love it or leave it, right? Just don't take them to task for hyping up a story without any facts. I'm not a big fan of the "love it or leave it" doctrine. It's because I love something that I will bother to take them to task, publicly, when they blow it.

KBeat

so... sort of off topic, but right at midnight eastern last night all the lag on my 3g phone vanished. I was talking to a friend on the other end of the country, his (my old)edge phone experienced the same thing.
No reboots, no syncs, no backups, just poof! no more lag. Contacts come up immediately now and everything

Still can't dial any contacts that have a pause in the dial string tho...

s017jrs

@s017jrs: Maybe your iPhone was Left Behind when they tried to do a test run of the LHC.

OMG! Ponies! Amazing Bacon Drinks

@s017jrs: Check your right foot. Notice the missing toe? A RemoveToe command was propagated over CoreMobility services last night that makes the GUI noticeably snappier at the expense of a toe. Just a toe. No biggy, right? However, snooping around the iPhone OS I found some other organ removal commands that are a bit more... unsettling. Don't want to start a panic, so I probably shouldn't say any more.

frigg

@suneohair: You're going to be a busy little bee if you issue a three paragraph complaint every time something is slightly hyped, which this actually wasn't. Maybe you should try something less demanding and annoying and be a Spelling/Grammar Nazi. We love those.

GadgetPlay

Personally, I think that this is Apple's version of Border Control for access to the iPhone Universe.

As I believe that governance is part of the equation, I say hurrah!

In fact, I just posted on this aspect of the topic:

iPhone Universe: Network Borders, Kill Switches and The Core Location
[thenetworkgarden.blogs.com]

Check it out if interested.

Cheers,

Mark

netgarden

whatever the reason - the thing is actually usable again.

s017jrs

Like I had said... storm in a glass of water. It's quantity over quality, also on Gizmodo.

sos10

@Gann: Fair enough, and goodness knows many posters on the internet have a lot to learn about "constructive criticism." I just always bristle at the "if you don't like it, don't read/watch/listen to it" counter arguments. No site, even those we enjoy the most, are above criticism from time to time. And, whatever your take on the "bloggers are/are not journalists", I would hope they at least attempt to be factually accurate.

To run with a story, even if you suspect it's untrue or have no facts to back it up, just because it'll cause a feeding frenzy of clicks and posts is, to put it mildly, questionable. That may not have been Giz's intentions, but it was certainly the result.

KBeat

hehe lol I told you guys that in the old newsitem. Anyway, this sounds a LOT more likely.

SpoBo

@Gann: Gann why do you say that?

You obviously know NOTHING of Apple. They almost never smack the hackers. Heck they havent even prevent people from hacking the iphone.

You sir a perfect example of a lying hater.

See you post...its lies and you spreading FUD. Either man up and tell the truth or STFU.

Yes it would really surprise me if Apple tried to disable ANY APP on your phone. They have never stopped anyone from hacking their systems for their own use. Apple TV is a perfect example. Again...i will point to fact and you show me where im wrong. Apple doesnt care whats on your phone. They care that you have their phone.

Wowwzers2

Ok...so check my post yesterday when this was out.

Everyone of you apple haters... ON YOUR KNEES NOW!!!! Now say AHHHH.

Seriously...once again the winblows users and apple haters have once again show how completely IDIOTIC they are. Expect this kinda crap from your choice of vendors and quit trying to project the negative outlook on Apple.

No hate to Giz they posted it as Might be... but unconfirmed.

The hate is for the haters and shills.

Wowwzers2

@Wowwzers2:

How ironic.

DarkMirage