THE much-anticipated, shiny new iPhone 3G might actually be an expensive brick unless activated in an authorised store.

CNET.com reported that more signs are emerging that Apple is taking steps to restrict hacking with the release of the iPhone 3G.

It can only be activated by authorised retailers appointed by official telcos.

One reason for the popularity of current versions of the non-3G iPhone in countries like Singapore, where Apple does not have deals with local telcos, is that it can be hacked by parallel importers.

With the new iPhone 3G, this could be a thing of the past.

CNET.com said a memo has been sent to retail employees of the iPhone's official US telco AT&T to warn them to be on the lookout for a special iTunes "unbricking" utility that was supposed to be pushed to the computers of all retail employees.

That memo also suggested that the iPhone 3G will need to be physically connected to the in-store computer to be activated.

CNET.com said it appears that every iPhone 3G will have to be activated in the store at the time of purchase, and that all buyers will have to sign a two-year contract to boot, before it can be taken home.

But what has not been clear is whether Apple has taken any additional steps beyond the activation process to deter iPhone unlocking.

It is currently possible to hack an iPhone before it is activated on a cell network and unlock it to run on a different GSM network from the one it was intended for.

Meanwhile, AT&T has come under fire for charging US$600 (S$818) for the iPhone 3G without a two-year contract.

An iPhone with a two-year contract, by contrast, costs as little as US$199 (S$270).

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