New Tiger build prevents use on non-authorized Intel boxes

g/re/p · #1 September 13th, 2005, 09:29 PM

The newest build of Mac OS X 10.4.3 includes the usual laundry list of bug fixes and improvements. However, there’s also something unusual about the latest Intel build — it includes anti-piracy measures that will supposedly prevent it from running smoothly on Intel-based machines that haven’t been authorized by Apple. Software applications included with the build won’t run on previous versions of the Intel pre-release. This likely means the party’s over until this build is hacked up all over again.

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000627058539/

lurk · #2 September 13th, 2005, 11:40 PM

I would not read too much into the fact that applications have to be recompiled. They told us form the beginning that the ABI (application binary Interface) was still in flux. If they changed any of it it will break stuff. Well it is a developer preview so that is not a big surprise.

**fryke** · #3 September 14th, 2005, 04:57 AM

Sounds like an interim anti-piracy solution. Once the system is final, they can't do _that_ anymore. There are other measures, of course, that are possible. Well: Maybe Apple will - with every build that might leak out - try a new anti-piracy scheme. And the one which holds the longest will be implemented in the end?

Satcomer · #4 September 14th, 2005, 07:28 AM

This surprises anyone?! I am shocked it has taken Apple this long with all the posted hacks to run OS X on other x86 computers. I wouldn't be surprised that from now on the OS X x86 version for developers will have some kind of tracing protocol on the (on the root level) that will trace said developer down. The wrath of Apple Lawyers will come down on said developer(s).

mindbend · #5 September 14th, 2005, 01:42 PM

The problem is that it doesn't really matter so much how LONG it takes to hack. Once it's hacked, it's hacked. I guess all Apple can hope to do is keep "breaking" the hacks with each incremental update.

kainjow · #6 September 14th, 2005, 02:07 PM

The more effort Apple puts into making it harder to hack, the more people will work to hack it to run on any PC. It's simply a matter of time.

ksv · #7 September 14th, 2005, 04:46 PM

Heh. It's a 10.4.2 build to be precise.

CreativeEye · #8 September 14th, 2005, 04:48 PM

its the same principle as when people have hacked itunes - when apple upgrade the software - they break the hack.

so if you love the hack so much and dont want to upgrade some people would still be on itunes 3.6 or whatever...

it'll be the same with the OS - the hacks will exist only with the hackers - and they'll be flakey... as a hackee you'll have the option to stay on OSX.5 when Apple update the OS to OSX.5.1 or to upgrade and therefore re-hack - its a development race - and Apple will always be ahead of the curve. Because they are forced to innovate and push the OS forward because they exist in a market - the hackers merely sit and... well - hack.

they'll soon tire of it as those who were hacking iTunes have - remember that itunes was getting 'broken' into with regularity - there are still cases - but not so much anymore...

...that is - unless you're still on iTunes 3.6 or whatever...