I believe he was referring to stopping people from unlocking/hacking the iphone. It is his job to ensure the iPhone remains closed (secure/un-hacked).

Matt

He was talking about unlocking of the iphone…

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.

(I’m still not sure he was cracking a funny).

He was responding to a question regarding what apple planned to do about people unlocking the iPhone…

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.

Can’t wait for the SDK in February!

He was referring to phone unlocking and trying to stay one step ahead of the hackers.

He was referring to the “cat & mouse” battle to stop iPhone unlocking!

Cheers, Matt

He was talking about preventing unlocking of the iphone.

Is it a bit silly to have to answer a question when you can see the answer in the comments already?
*stupidly I searched your site for it before scrolling down*

Steve was talking about the continual problem of hackers releasing code to unlock the iPhone and needing to stay a step ahead of them.

Jobs was relating the comment to preventing security breaches on the iPhone’s software – stopping it being unlocked.

He was referring to stopping people from unlocking the iPhone…
Thanks!

Steve was replying to a question regarding what Apple was going to do about people unlocking the iPhone…

[i]What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?[/i]

SJ: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.

He was referring to having to keep Iphone hackers (and customers?) from breaking into their phones(and unlocking them)

Yup, like they said: he was referring to iPhone unlocking.

@sam: if I was one of the early answerers I would post a quote seeded with a couple of typos to see who bothers searching for themselves and who just copy & pastes

@mike butcher: the time on the server appears to still be set to BST.

Would like to come up with something witty, if Mr Jobs can get away with being unfunny, so can I:

He was referring to the practice of locking the iphone to keep pesky customers from choosing their own network/software they’d like to use on their nice shiny new toy.

Steve Jobs was referring to preventing security breaches, or more specifically, hackers from from unlocking the iPhone and making it available for use on other networks, something they have to prevent as part of their exclusive deal with O2.

He was referring the the unlocking of the iphone. His job security is preventing ‘them’ break in.

He was talking about stopping people from unlocking or hacking the iphone themselves.

Actually sourced this answer myself, then found I could have saved 8 minutes of my life by simply scrolling down and looking at the first comment…

He was referring to the unlocking of the iPhone to enable it to be used on any mobile network.

He was talking about how to be ahead of hackers in order to meet the demands of partners:

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

With ‘job security’, he was referring to the unlocking of the iPhone and preventing of doing so.

Was referring to iPhone unlocking -
“We try to stay a step ahead”

This was Jobs attempts at being “down with the UK kids” and cracking jokes about phone hacking / unlocking…

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

Steve was talking about trying to prevent the unlocking of the iPhone: “This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security”

He was talking about the hacking or “jailbreaking” of iphones.

Yeah – he was talking about iPhone unlocking, Mike.

He said “We play it on iPods with DRM…”

It was kinda funny.

From “http://crunchgear.com/2007/09/18/iphone-uk-launch-live-blog/”:

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

So, he was talking about phone unlocking and DRM

Hi Mike – he was talking about Apple efforts to keep hackers out of the iPhone. i.e. unlocking it.

Steve Jobs was referring to staying ahead of the people trying to crack the iPhone.

iPhone unlocking

Steve Jobs was talking about unlocking the iPhone. I bet the bloke down the market will be able to do it if I win!

He was referring to Apple’s continued efforts to stop people from unlocking their iPhone.

He was talking about stopping people from unlocking or hacking the iphone themselves.

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security” – So it was about the phone unblocking situation.

referring to iphone unlocking…

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security”

So, he was talking about iPhone unblocking…

He was referring to iPhone unlocking; which will throw up lots of fun european legal wrangles in the coming months.

Given all the answers above I think it might be about hacking/unlocking the iphone!

“This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security”

He was referring to unlocking the iPhone.

I phone unlocking

He’s referring to iPhone unlocking

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

He was referring to unlocking the iPhone, and more importantly, stopping people from doing it.

Steve Jobs was replying to query on response to iPhone unlocking

Steve: …We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security…

He was referring to iPhone unlocking

Steve Jobs was replying to query on response to iPhone unlocking

Steve: …We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security…

(repeat as this is email I registered with you.)

He was responding to a question regarding the issue of iPhone unlocking…

“[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]”

Elaine

He was referring to unlocking the iPhone.

He was refering to iPhone unlocking

Steve Jobs was answering a question regarding the issue of iPhone unlocking.

Official version :-

“[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]”

Unofficial translation :-

We (Apple) can not afford you to unlock your phone and use it on your chosen network, think of all that lovely money we would lose from 02. A cut of every months contact fee – now that’s job security !

he was referring to the unlocking of the iPhone – or ‘liberating’ as many would prefer to call it!

Q: What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?

A: … It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security…

He was refering this to iPhone Unlocking! The exact phrase is:

Steve: Sometimes you get what you pay for.

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

Source: http://uk.techcrunch.com/2007/09/18/iphone-uk-launch-live-blog/

& there goes my entry for the contest! Keeping my fingers crossed..! I am assuming I am gonna get the iPhone! !! He He!!

Cheers,
Vinay

iphone jailbreaking/unlocking

A: He was refering to preventing people unlocking the phone to use other phone networks…and take a bite away from Apples additional and non core revenue stream!
(sorry, too many puns – not funny)
sj

Wild guess, does “job security” refer to Apple trying to stay ahead of those fiendish hackers reponsible for unlocking iPhones ?

Steve Jobs was broadly referring to iPhone Unlocking when he used the phrase “job security” during his UK iPhone announcement.

He was refering to iPhone unlocking and apple’s attempts to prevent it.

He was referring to iPhone unlocking, in a ‘puntastic’ way! Bless you Steve, who says American’s don’t do sarcasm?

He was on about iPhone unlocking

iPhone unlocking, when do I get the phone?

I’m going to go with him talking about “iPhone unlocking”

He was referring to stopping people from unlocking the iPhone

iPhone unlocking:

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.

I have a funny feeling it might have something to do with iPhone unlocking. I’m not sure what gives me that impression

He was referring to IPhone unlocking.

He was referring to the unlocking of iPhone’s to be used on other networks and presumably the cracking of the iPhone OS (Mac OSX) to install custom applications.

Quote from your article:
“[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.”

dugg!

this was in response to a question asked in London as to what Apple were going to do about iphone unlocking.

Steve Jobs: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security

He was referring to preventing security breaches on the iPhone
i.e. stopping it being unlocked.
x

He was referring to stopping people unlocking iPhones and possibly having a stab at some sort of humorous pun.

Steve J was talking about stopping people from unlocking the iPhone. Quote:

“Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.”

He was talking about unlocking the iPhone

He was referring to unlocking the iPhone

[...] Here’s the link: http://uk.techcrunch.com/2007/11/06/here-comes-the-iphone-want-to-win-one/ [...]

He was talking about attempts to unlock the iphone. “It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security…”

He was referring to protecting Apple’s interests w/r/t hackers unlocking the iPhone and their responsibility to uphold their agreements and hardware security

He was discussing the news that iPhone’s had been unlocked in the USA and what Apple was doing to stop this.

–Question and answer below–

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

He was using the phrase “job security” to refer to unlocking the iphone.

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

Stevie was refering to naughty people unlocking their iPhones. PS Will this iPhone be unlocked?

Mike, he was talking about stopping people from unlocking or hacking their iPhone

Steve was talking about protection on different aspects of Apple’s business (itunes./iphone) providing job security at apple to stay one step ahead of the hackers.

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

He was talking about iPhone unlocking

He was talking about keeping the iPhone network locked.

I saw this and *had* to enter as we’ve been running the first UK iPhone giveaway over on http://www.realfresh.tv since half 6 on Monday morning!

I will be blogging and Twittering about entering the TCUK iPhone giveaway on Real Fresh TV as it gives everyone who has already entered our competition another opportunity to win an iPhone.

Sweet…

Two iPhone giveaways in one week?

It could only happen in the UK.

And yes, he was referring to iPhone unlocking…

[...] Butcher over at TechCrunch UK is also giving an iPhone away this week along with 5 iPod [...]

stop people hacking the phone

Hello,

He was talking about the iPhone being unlocked

He was referring to iphone unlocking.

I reckon the hackers will have it unlocked by Saturday night.

He was broadly referring to iPhone unlocking.

He was talking about the iphone being unlocked

iPhone unlocking

In answer to the question “What will Apple do about iPhone unlocking” Steve replied:-

“This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.”

And I hope that he wasn’t cracking a joke cause if he was then he has a really bad sense of humor. Cringe worthy.

Steve Jobs answered the question ‘What Will Apple Do About iPhone Unlocking’
with this,
‘This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.’
Which is refering to hackers breaking in to the phone.

He was referring to iPhone unlocking.

He was talking about: unlocking the iPhone.

Actual quote:

‘This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iPhone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.’

All i can say, he will have to work incredibly hard to stop the unlocking!

Big Steve was talking about job security in the construction industry, and how demand for “bricks” was at an all time high.

Not reallly, he was of course talking about the amount of work required to prevent hackers from unlocking the iPhone.

He was broadly talking about the unlocking of the iphone by hackers and DRM.

Steve Jobs was referring to his terrible sense of humor regarding trying to stay a step ahead of the iPhone unlocking “hackers”.

Please let that mean the prize is an unlocked iPhone

He was referring to people trying to unlock the iPhone.

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s JOB SECURITY.

Stevo was referring of course to unlocking the iPhone…

Cheers..

[...] Apple iPhone launches in the UK this Friday, and we’re already running a comp to win one. However, you may be happy with your Nokia/Samsung/LG/Crackberry/whatever smartphone, so [...]

Yes, unlocking the iPhone – as the others have said.

He was referring to those people who were unlocking the iPhone.

Listen, I could says something funny here or I could just copy all those other people who said he was referring to hacking the iPhone. Just send me the phone…

It’s about staying one step ahead all the time. the context was initially hacking the iPhone, but he also talked about Ipod and DRM vs. the music industry.

Jobs mentioned that phrase just after talking about the cat & mouse game of iphone unlocking by hackers & the resulting patches by Apple.

They probably don’t care much if the iPhone is unlocked, but legaly, it’s probably their ‘job’ to patch hacks, since they have exclusive geographical contracts with carriers (they also make a great commission out of those contracts too, so that’s probably the biggest insentive.).

I think it was related to the work needed to stop the hacking of iPod’s to either uclokcing or breaking DRM.

He was talking about iPhone unlocking/jailbreaking..

Steve Jobs was refering this to iPhone Unlocking! The exact phrase is:

Steve: Sometimes you get what you pay for.

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

Source: http://uk.techcrunch.com/2007/09/18/iphone-uk-launch-live-blog/

He was talking about unlocking of the iphone…

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.

These phones look great, but some one recently told me that on UK TV Channel 5′s gadget show, they did a comparisson between this and the Nokia N95. The Nokia won. Did anyone else see or have any thoughts?

Steve Jobs was broadly referring to iPhone unlocking.

thanks

He was talking about the illegal unlocking of iPhones.

London, UK

He was referring to the cat and mouse game of keeping the iPhone a locked device.

According to his Steveness “This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.” So – deep breath – (bet nobody thought of this) – he was talking about preventing the illegal unlocking on iPhones!
There, I’ve said it.

Well, it’s hard to tell what the cat is and what the mouse is, but Steve was referring to the task of preventing the phone from being unlocked.

The fact that Jobs was talking about unlocking the phone is a truism, so let’s try to guess the real meaning behind that “that’s job security”…

My guess is that he was referring to Apple employees. As long as hackers will try to hack iphones and ipods Apple developers will have work to do… and a reason to strive for excellence in what they do.

At a guess… the (un)locking of the i-phone issue?

Trying to keep a step ahead of the hackers in the “unlocking the iPhone” game!

He was talking about the illegal unlocking of iPhones.

He was talking about how to stop people unlocking the iPhone.

Steve was asked “What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?” and he talked about the cat and mouse game with people unlocking DRM and the iPhone etc. Not sure if it was a joke!

Ollie

He was talking about preventing the unlocking of the iPhone so it can be used on other networks.

Contrary to what everyone else is saying on here Steve Jobs was talking about unlocking/hacking the iPhone.

Nick…

securing the iphone will be a never ending task and therefore the party tasked with doing so will have security they will never be out of work.

He was referring to iPhone unlocking.

He was referring to unlocking the iphone

efforts at making sure that the iphone is unlockable will keep definately keep some people (apple engineers) in work.

He was definately referring to the fact that trying to prevent the illegal unlocking of the iphone means some people at Apple get to keep their job for a long time.

Steve was referring to the unlocking of the iPhone in America for different networks. So basically talking about unlocking the iPhone.

[What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?]

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security [did he actually crack a joke there? He didn’t smile, but…]

I’m not sure Steve himself understood what he said

As requested from big record companies Apple added DRM as security to the music. In the beginning it was working to populate iTunes and iPods as well. But DRM itself pushed even more people for piracy.

Now iPods locked to one provider. I remember Apple announced that unlocked iPhones can have BIG problems in the future with upgrades. Maybe this system still working, but in the future Apple will need to get rid of it just like with DRM.

iGod

Sorry, too many i’s for one evening

* “Now iPods (iPhones) locked to one provider. “

This refers to the hacking and unlocking of the iPhone.

as above ! refers to preventing the unlocking of the iphone

He was referring to stopping people unlocking and hacking the iPhone

iPhone unlocking and hacking.

It was with reference to the prevention of unlocking / hacking the phone.

Good Luck Steve.

He was referring to unlocking the iPhone to other networks.

What are you going to do about iPhone unlocking?

Steve: This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.

Steve Jobs was talking about preventing the unlocking of the iPhone: “This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security”

Preventing iPhone unlocking

Good Luck Everyone!

He was referring to preventing security breaches, or more specifically, hackers from from unlocking the iPhone and making it available for use on other networks, something they have to prevent as part of their exclusive deal with O2.

Wish me luck!

He was referring to hackers unlocking the iphone and making it avaialble for use on other nestorks etc.

Thanks.

He was referring to the problem of people unlocking the iphone for use on other networks, and how to secure against this.

He was referring to the iphone unlocking problem.

–Steve: “This is a constant cat and mouse game. We play it on iPods with DRM. We promised music companies to stay ahead of this problem. We try to stay a step ahead. It’s going to be the same way here with the iphone. It’s our job to keep them from breaking in. That’s job security.”

Lets hope I’m not too late =D

Steve was referring to the problem of security breaches, more specifically, hackers unlocking the iPhone, and then, the prevention of this hacking on Apples part.

Thanks everyone, the competition is now closed, winner to be announced shortly (probably tomorrow now).

As I said, the competition is now closed and I’m delighted to announce the winner.

Some say the Universe is a random collection of atoms, but you have to admit that there is neat symmetry in the fact the the winner of the iPhone, who correctly noted that Steve “Job Security” Jobs was referring to keeping ahead of the iPhone unlockers, comes from a country where the iPhone has yet to be officially launched, namely the Republic of Ireland.

So congratulations to Michael Walsh from County Mayo, Ireland! You iPhone is on its way to you this week.

Thanks and commiserations to everyone else who entered. At least it looks like there won’t be many queues for you to contend with at the O2 shops afterall…

Well Done Michael. I was lucky enough to win an ipod so only slightly jealous!

[...] the voting idea and to choose a random winner from the comments entered, much like Engadget and TechCrunch do with their [...]