The score so far: Hackers 3, Apple 2

Apple has finally fired back at iPhone unlockers, releasing version 1.1.2 of its OS for the iPhone and the iPod Touch that relocks devices that had been unlocked by the “Jailbreak Software” released last month. Besides relocking the devices, v. 1.1.2 also kills any third-party apps users may have installed after unlocking. (I think I may be coming down with lockjaw.) 

But wait, it gets better.

Before Apple even got the chance to say “neener neener” — or even officially release v 1.1.2 onto the world —  hackers with handles like Pumpkin, Edgan, Dinopio, Drudge, and Kroo had managed to rebreak the app for the iPod Touch and activated iPhones. The re-unlocking process apparently takes about 10 minutes.

I don’t know what’s more galling for Apple — having weeks of dev work scotched in less time than it takes to eat a hamburger, or being gamed by people whose nicknames make them sound like Teletubbies.

What the world needs now isn’t just love sweet love, it’s an open source Net-friendly device that legit developers and Teletubbies alike can create apps for. Oh wait, we’ll soon have one: the Google Android phone.

Whether the Open Handset Alliance and Android can steal the iPhone’s thunder and inspire the gadget lust of millions will depend largely on the gadgets it runs on. Build a compelling Google-powered Wifi-enabled Net/cell phone, and the world will beat a path to your Web site. With no need to waste tech resources worrying about hackers, telecom companies could even spend a few dev dollars building more reliable networks and solving a much bigger problem: crappy call quality.

Well, a person can dream, can’t he?

Hacked your iPhone lately? Spill the beans below or email the ugly details to me directly. Top tipsters qualify for cool and completely open source swag.

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