Australian iPhone will arrive BRICKED?

It looks as if the iPhone will arrive in Australia bricked and in need of in-store activation. In the US, AT&T employees have been briefed on how to 'unlock' the new 3G iPhone using specialised iTunes software (ref - this article & this one also). If this is anything to go buy (and we're sure it is), all the stores in Australia selling the 3G iPhone may have to manually unlock each one.

What will this mean for Australian iPhone fans?

Well, in-store activation means you're dependent on the store should anything go haywire with your iPhone and you need to reset it. The original iPhone software was hacked and 'JAILBREAK' applied... breaking the iPhone out of it's shell and allowing 3rd party applications (some of which were VERY handy). Should anyone release a new jailbreak technique with the new 3G iPhone, any problems arising could send the used back to the iPhone store for reset and re-activation...

Apple Australia have yet to announce how they will offer support in regards to activation and repairs. This is a cruicial issue, as the iPhone has a delicate Operating System. What we need is people who can properly service the iPhone and help out when things go wrong (as they will)

Perhaps the current iPhone blackmarket will expand, and we'll find ourselves needing to visit our local & knowledgeable 'friend' who can 'help' to unlock the 3G iPhone for a modest fee... (We'll bid MONEY on it!)

What happens, let's pray everything goes smoothly...in the meantime, check out some great buys for the iPhone on eBay: