unlocking

O2 has started unlocking iPhones in the UK for users who want to switch from their network to Orange UK, the newest carrier to get the iPhone there. Users who signed up to have their devices unlocked have begun receiving texts messages instructing them to replace the O2 SIM card with that of a different carrier (in their case, Orange), and connect the device to iTunes. It's as simple as that.

You'll never stop the struggle between Apple and the people who want to hack it, so why bother complaining? As of noon today, giddy jailbreakers can take the next step and go full-on with blacksn0w, the jailbreak+unlock for the latest 05.11.07 baseband (with tethering enabled to boot). Mac and PC versions are available and it works with iPhone OS 3.1.2.

In short, the blackra1n release is alive as well, with both Mac and Windows support and the installation instructions can be found here...

T-Mobile has announced that users of unlocked iPhones on their network will no longer be allowed to use prepaid Sidekick data plans. Questions sent to the official T-Mobile Twitter account about the issue say "You will no longer be able to use an IPhone [sic] with the Sidekick data plan" and "The Sidekick Data plan is meant for a Sidekick device. You may want to look into changing your data plan if ur [sic] using an iPhone." Some users say they have still been able to access T-Mobile's EDGE data network, but things aren't looking up as far as alternatives to AT&T in the US go.
[via TUAW]

If you're using a jailbroken or unlocked iPhone, you might want to think twice about sending anything over AIM that you don't want everyone to see. Equinux founder Till Schadde has found a bug that may be sending your AIM messages to random recipients without you ever knowing it.

Geohot has published his own unlocking software for the iPhone 3GS. Playing off the Dev Team's Yellowsn0w and Ultrasn0w unlocks, Geohot's unlock is called Purplesn0w, and operates in a similar way to the Dev Team's software, requiring the device to be jailbroken so it can be downloaded through Cydia.

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.

The Dev Team posted a warning on their blog reminding users that if you want to maintain the ability to use the Ultrasnow unlock for the 3.x firmware, don't upgrade to anything past 3.0, including the recently seeded developer copy of the OS 3.1 beta. 3.1 updates the baseband, breaking the ability to be unlocked by the Dev Team's exploit. The warning applies only to 3G and 3GS devices.

The Ultrasn0w OS 3.0 unlock for the iPhone and iPhone 3G demoed last Friday is now available in Cydia and Icy.

Ultrasn0w for iPhone 3G is ready!

1. Please add the repo repo666.ultrasn0w.com to cydia or icy
2. Search for ‘ultrasn0w’ in cydia or icy and install ultrasn0w
3. Reboot your iPhone 3G
4. T-Mobile USA users should disable 3G before using ultrasn0w
5. Enjoy

The iPhone Dev Team has posted an iPhone OS 3.0-capable version of the PwnageTool for unlocking iPhone, iPhone 3G, and first-generation iPod touch running the OS 3.0 released Wednesday. It should be noted that it will not work for the iPhone 3G S posted a guide detailing how you should use their jailbreaking and unlocking tools based on your situation is.

A group of U.S. Senators are asking the FCC to examine the exclusivity deals between wireless service providers and handset makers that allow a carrier to be the only provider for a specific handset over a period of time, such as the arrangement between Apple and AT&T for the iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S. The decision was the result of a request sent by a group of rural operators asking to have the FCC look in to the matter.