jailbreaking

For many Mac users, the OS X 10.5.6 update broke their ability to pwn their iPhone or iPod touch. If you're one of them, then not to worry. A fix has been found that will get you hacking again in no time. It involves an Automator script and a few simple steps. However, bear in mind that this method alters kernel extensions which could potentially render your Mac inoperable. Proceed at your own risk!

With any cool new gadget, especially ones from Apple, there are a couple of first goals set by the hackers to try to achieve. With the iPhone, jailbreaking and then soft-unlocking was one of them, and now another has been met. Dev Team member planetbeing announced that they have successfully installed a working copy of Linux on the iPhone.

In the early days of iPhone hacking, the primary goals were to unlock the iPhone for use on other carriers than AT&T and then to get third party applications onto the device. Now that we have the App Store, however, there is arguably less need for it outside unlocking. That, in addition to the security risk you take by jailbreaking your iPhone, has prompted the RiP Dev folks to create a new hacking tool that they say is a little more secure.

The iPhone Dev Team has updated their blog concerning the predicted 2.2 software update for the iPhone and iPod touch, reminding everyone that if you're concerned about being able to jailbreak, and especially unlock, your iPhone, then it is strongly suggested that you hold off on installing the update until they give the all clear.

Rip Dev has released a new version of his Installer.app 4 beta for jailbroken iPhones. The update adds several features we heard about like a package rating system, as well as support for proxies, improved error reporting, and a fixed app icon badge. More details after the break.

It was confirmed earlier today that the next version of Cydia will have an app rating system similar to that of the App Store. The news came in the form of a screenshot that was posted showing the Cydia page for the package Winterboard 0.9.2600-1. Next to the package number was a star, which was taken to be a form of ratings system.

The iPhone Dev Team announced in another post on their blog that they have gotten their hands on the latest version of the iPhone 2.2 Software beta that was released to developers last week, and they've successfully jailbroken and unlocked it on a first gen device. (Screenshot after the break.)

Looking to upgrade the geek-factor with your iPhone? Inject a heap of nostalgia and relive the early 90s with the iGameboy custom springboard theme for the iPhone. The custom skin will turn your high-tech, super-shiny iPhone into a low-tech, big-pixeled original Gameboy. Technology may have come a long way, but that doesn't mean you have to follow it.

The launch of the App Store eliminated a large part of the need for jailbreaking your iPhone or iPod touch, but a few good reasons still remain. Here's a new one that was released recently. It's called Search 1.0 for iPhone, and it's available to jailbroken phones through Cydia.

Earlier this weekend, the Big Boss repository, one of the larger and more well-known repositories in Cydia and Installer, parted ways with their hosting site, iphone.sleepers.net. The repository owner said in this weekend's announcement that they weren't happy with the partnership, and had officially moved over to http://thebigboss.org/.