First on CNBC: George Hotz, Teen iPhone Hacker Speaks with Erin Burnett on "Street Signs" Today

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. - August 24, 2007 - In his first live television appearance, 17-year-old Glen Rock, NJ teen, George Hotz, who is gaining popularity for hacking into Apple's iPhone so it can be used on other phone networks, told CNBC's "Street Signs" (2-3 PM ET), "This was a good use of a summer. I became obsessed with unlocking this thing."

In an interview live on CNBC, Hotz showed CNBC anchor Erin Burnett exactly how he was able to accomplish this complex task. When Apple introduced the iPhone in July, it made the device available only on AT&T's wireless service, prompting widespread complaints among consumers. Hotz was able to unlock the device so that he can use it on T-Mobile's network.

George Hotz

The full story and interview, along with a slide-show and video showing details of how Hotz hacked into the iPhone can be found on CNBC.com. Also, CNBC's Silicon Valley Bureau Chief, Jim Goldman will be blogging on his discussion with Hotz on "Tech Check with Jim Goldman."

T-Mobile is the only major U.S. carrier apart from AT&T that is compatible with the iPhone's cellular technology. Hotz's handiwork frees the most hyped cell phone ever for use on the networks of other carriers, including overseas ones.

While the possibility of switching from AT&T to T-Mobile may not be a major development for U.S. consumers, it opens up the iPhone for use on the networks of overseas carriers.

Hotz begins undergraduate studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology this fall.

About CNBC:
CNBC is the recognized world leader in business news, providing real-time financial market coverage and business information to more than 340 million homes worldwide, including more than 95 million households in the United States and Canada. The network's Business Day programming (weekdays from 5:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. ET) is produced at CNBC's headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and also includes reports from CNBC news bureaus worldwide. Additionally, CNBC viewers can manage their individual investment portfolios and gain additional in-depth information from on-air reports by accessing http://www.cnbc.com.

Members of the media can receive more information about CNBC and its programming on the NBC Universal Media Village Web site at http://nbcumv.com/cnbc/.