Comment by yarky
4 years ago
I think the op meant that as an analogy : in order for you to use their software, you pay 1000$ upfront for the hardware. So you can look at it as a one time payment/rent to use their environment. Since you need to upgrade iPhones quite often, I guess renting isn't a bad analogy.
> but there is nothing that stops you from modifying or hacking it to your heart's content if you are able to.
Are you sure? I haven't read the terms, but that might be quite against their rules. Rules that you probably adhere to by using their product, but I'm not a legal expert.
Their rules cover their continued services. When you buy an iPhone, you are free to use whatever tools you’d like to modify / hack / break / enhance / etc the device.
The terms govern your interaction w/ Apple. So, for example, if you crack open the case and try to re-wire the board, the terms say your warranty no longer applies. If you modify the software, they can ban you from interacting with their servers. And if you start offering to sell modified iPhones to other people, they can come after you for damaging their business.
That’s what owning the phone means. You can do what you want with the phone you bought, but they aren’t required to support your efforts or allow you to use the services they’re actively running.
You are allowed to modify iOS Software in this case because it is an exemption to the DMCA.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jailbreaking_(iOS)#United_Stat...
Good to know, thanks!