Apple Gets Sneaky With Firmware 2.0

Two interesting tidbits that came across my feed reader today. It seems in firmware 2.0 Apple has a secret over the air firmware upgrade option of iPhone as well as an FM tuner that can be used with an external remote.

Reports from users in possession of the latest iPhone 3G firmware indicate that the device will have support for both FM radio and FOTA (firmware over the air).

FM radio support means that the iPhone 3G may be able to make use of devices like Apple’s own “iPod Radio Remote,” which includes an FM tuner and allows users to listen to FM radio stations. Current iPhone and iPod touch models are incompatible with the radio remote.

Firmware over the air support means that Apple will theoretically be able to deliver software and firmware updates over the iPhone’s cellular network connection, potentially allowing re-locking of unlocked devices and feature enhancements that do not require connection to a host computer.

I think this is Apple’s answer to the unlockers. But, I think Apple could have easily avoided this whole nasty situation by just offering unlocked handsets that could work on ANY GSM network. They could have hosted visual voicemail (a la Phone Tag) then the ridiculous restrictions AT&T and other cellular companies has placed on the device would never need to be in place. Apple has proven that people are willing to pay $600 for a phone, therefore an unlocked phone is a possibility.