RIT Freshman Unlocks iPhone-AT&T Connection

New Jersey teen shows how the Apple iPhone can be used with other telecom carrier

George Hotz, who starts his first year at Rochester Institute of Technology on Sunday, is getting worldwide attention today as the first person to crack the exclusive connection between AT&T and Apple’s iPhone, allowing the device to be used with other cell phone service providers.

Hotz explained the complex instructions for converting iPhones on his Internet blog (www.iphonejtag.blogspot.com) Thursday. He has also posted a video showing his work on YouTube. The iPhone, introduced in June, was intended for use only on the AT&T network, but legions of hackers have been trying to sidestep that limitation.

At RIT, the 17-year-old resident of Glen Rock, N.J., will major in biotechnology with an option in bioinformatics. He’s a graduate of Bergen County (N.J.) Academies and won a $20,000 Intel science fair prize earlier this year.

“The talent of our incoming students never ceases to amaze us,” says RIT President Bill Destler, commenting on Hotz’ accomplishment. Hotz will be one of 3,200 first-year students arriving this weekend, the largest freshman class in the university’s history.

Coincidentally, RIT will welcome Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to campus on Oct. 6, when he serves as keynote speaker at Brick City Homecoming.


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