Steve Jobs Confirms iPhone Has a Kill Switch

Jobs told The Wall Street Journal that Apple needs the capability in case it inadvertently allows a malicious program -- such as an application that steals user's personal data -- to be distributed to iPhones through its App Store.

[uckitsayitchbay]

Steve Jobs is a loser

[nbsmatambo]

i dont think so, but i rspect ur opinion..

[actas123]

I don't think so and I don't respect your opinion. in other words you are an idiot.

[Premonition]

Its more of a better thing than a bad thing, at least they are looking out for their consumers, they wouldn't want something bad to sneak through their app store.

[Charmers]

For some reason I am reminded of that old Apple advert they did back in the 80's (some older members may remember it). If you have never seen the advert you can watch it here :-

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

It was all wonderfully iconic, you know the kind of thing mankind controlled by "the man", it was all very big brother. Naturally Apple was going to break you free and empower you yadda yadda yadda.

Now skip to today some 24 years later, I guess Stevie and Apple found it more fun to be "big brother" I mean you can't get any more big brother than having the power to access every Iphone and be able to alter the function (ie remove software) without the users consent.

[Imallvol7]

Didn't this make the news in the first place because they caught an app that used that kill switch to kill your phone when you downloaded it?

I dunno, I don't like Apple. I fell in love with the iPod touch though, and after spending 400$, they made me pay again for the app store.

Everyone keeps saying that they think Apple should enter the gaming market. I can't imagine anyone I would want less in the gaming market. Probably would ship consoles without AC adapters and charge for system updates.

[Premonition]

And just so people don't get it twisted, the kill switch does not steal personal information, its a program that finds other programs that slip through the app store for whatever reason that might be able to steal customer info, so they placed this kill switch in place just in case something like this ever happens.

[Charmers]

Well personally speaking if they need this kind of safeguard I won't go near the App store with a barge pole then. I think it is also a matter of just exactly what else is Apple and ole Stevie not owning up too ?

I certainly would not be happy knowing that a company has the abiliy to remotely kill software on a $1000 phone I paid for and it is all done under the guise of "protecting me". What about quality control ? How about testing the apps before you even shove them on the app store.

I am absolutely amazed these days what people will happily allow companies to do. I an no conspiracy nut or anything but this kill switch done in the name of "protection" sounds incredibly dodgy to me.

[bym051d]

Wait... the bigger story here is someone released a $999 app that just puts a red ruby on your iPhone to show people you have enough money to afford a $999 app that does nothing.

[Marcus Fenix]

this is atually stupid, paying 999$ for a software that only shows that u r rich, I find it stupid because of the 999$, 1000$ sounds more serious 2 me, all pricing that has 99 or more is put just 2 let the customer feel it's below 100, it won't matter if u say 2 a rich man this ferrari is 249,999$, also paying 999$ 4 that software doesn't necessary means that the guy is ritch, it just tells ppl how dumb the guy really is.

[Premonition]

@charmers: They do test the apps before going on to the store, but an example like a program called im rich, its just a stupid program that tricks people into thinking it would offer some great features for 1000 dollars but all you get is a gem in the middle of the screen, and so apple didnt like this guy taking peoples money for a program that does nothing for 1000 dollars. No ones perfect and things happen. The fact that apple has something in place just in case something like this comes up is better than having a company that has that shoulda woulda coulda statement, I dont see why people are hating on apple now because of this feature, I guess all of a sudden having a safeguard feature is a bad thing in this day and age.

[Charmers]

So let me see if I got this straight. They test all the apps before they go on the app store ? Yet when they tested this "I am Rich" program no one "realised" all it did was shove a gem in the middle of the screen ? and you want to trust these guys with a facility that can wipe stuff from your phone !!!!!!!

I always chuckle the way companies can get away with the most attrocious rubbish all because they claim "they are protecting you". I personally find this kill switch heavy handed and extremely obscene myself. The fact you seem to be "comfortable" that a company can remotely access your phone and wipe whatever they like off it and you have no say makes me just shake my head.

But to each their own, we live in a consumer society so if I am not happy with what Apple do I can vote with my wallet.

[mirroredderorrim]

Double Edged Sword for various reasons. I'd care to go into it if someone else were interested in chewing the fat.