A word of warning for anyone who may have unlocked their iPhone, believing that they managed to get one past Apple. It looks like Mr. Jobs might be having the last laugh after all. A recent press release says in no uncertain terms that unlocked iPhones will likely fail to work after the next firmware update.

The Release

From an Apple Press Release,

Apple has discovered that many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone’s software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed. Apple plans to release the next iPhone software update, containing many new features including the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store (www.itunes.com), later this week. Apple strongly discourages users from installing unauthorized unlocking programs on their iPhones. Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty. The permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing unlocking software is not covered under the iPhone’s warranty.

Web 2.0 Roundup

So, how are you going to keep your iPhone from turning into a $400 brick come update day? Well, it might be time to relock it. This technique is from TUAW and I highly suggest following their advice and waiting for a more solid hack to come out in the coming days. However, if you find yourself at the edge of your seat, here it is (once again, I don’t claim that this will work).

Good luck.

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