Clearwire Blocking Rooted Clear iSpots?
Humberto Saabedra
Readers have been reporting that Clear iSpots that have been rooted with the web-based exploit developed by hackers looking to use Clear’s service at the $25 special rate, are being actively blocked by network access until the devices are updated with a new version of the firmware.
It appears that Clearwire is using low level OMA handshakes to confirm that iSpot devices that are on the network are unrooted. As the latest jailbreak actively disables OMA in order to avoid automatic firmware checks and downloads, any iSpot that does not complete the handshake is being blocked from network access until the firmware is updated, effectively forcing owners to update to maintain service and breaking root.
Most rooted iSpot users are running an older firmware, which hackers crafted a one-click root method for. However, this method may also block rooted devices running the latest firmware as well. Additionally, while there is a way to root the firmware with the new build number, the process requires steps that may run afoul of the DMCA, hence the relative silence from the principal jailbreak developer on the methodology and process. With Clearwire possibly looking to bring back the iSpot after its initial success, it may have proven popular enough to grab even Apple’s typically hyper-focused attention, with a possible partnership in the works.
