Pwnage tool

The iPhone Dev Team has posted a notice for iPhone 3GS owners hoping to jailbreak. A jailbreak will be released relatively soon, they say, but certain files will be needed. They have a new, more reliable method for obtaining these files, but it will only work if you do it before Apple releases another update and if you don't have the OS 3.1 beta. It should also be noted that this method may update you to the 3.1 beta if it's on your computer, which would remove your chances of using Ultrasn0w in the future.

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!

Those of you waiting for a jailbreak and/or unlock solution for the new 2.2 firmware will be happy to know that the Dev Team just posted updated versions of the Pwnage Tool and QuickPwn for the iPhone and iPod touch that will let you update your OS to version 2.2 without altering the baseband. Be warned, however, that you should only use QuickPwn if you don't want to unlock later. They strongly suggest reading everything they have to say before using either tool though, so rather than link to their downloads I'm going suggest you read their post instead. Downloads available there.
Thanks, Joshua!

The 2.2 Software Update for the iPhone (and one for the iPod touch too) was released late last night, and from what we've seen it looks pretty awesome (more on that to come), but those of you who are hoping to unlock your iPhone 3G should be cautious. The Dev Team warns on their blog that updating to 2.2 will seriously reduce your chances of being able to unlock that iPhone any time soon.

Some very good news from the Dev Team earlier today: they now have persistent nucleus tasks running on an iPhone 3G. What does this mean, you ask? Well, if you're looking for a technical explanation, it means they can now spawn background tasks. If you're a normal person, you just need to know that this means they are very, very close to a software unlock for the iPhone 3G. They no longer have any foreseeable obstacles. Very good news indeed. Video after the break.

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.

It's expected that Apple would be likely to make changes to the software, and possibly hardware if need be, to thwart the jailbreaking and hacking efforts of those trying to unlock and/or otherwise modify their iPhone or iPod touch, but nobody expected them to extend that battle over into their Mac product line. Nonetheless, several users are claiming that the PwnageTool and its offspring no longer work on the new aluminum uni-body MacBook or MacBook Pro.

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.)

The iPhone Dev Team revealed early Sunday morning that they have made a crucial breakthrough in the process of unlocking the iPhone 3G. They posted a video on their blog demonstrating them hacking the baseband processor of an iPhone 3G.

Johnathan Zdziarski held his live O'Reilly webcast earlier today, during which he demonstrated how to bypass the iPhone's passcode lock as promised. As it turns out, the forensic information he was talking about that he showed how to gain access to was the very same personal information he mentioned finding previously.