Print 13 comment(s) - last by dlmartin53.. on Aug 5 at 12:04 PM

  (Source: iPhone Dev Team)
Let the good times roll for iPhone 4 users

It's been a busy week for smartphone aficionados when it comes to software updates. The iPhone 4 was jailbroken by the iPhone Dev Team over the weekend and both the HTC EVO 4G and the original Motorola Droid were updated to Android 2.2.

Now it's time for a second round of iPhone 4 loving' thanks to a new software-based carrier unlock. For those that have already jailbroken their iPhone 4s using the incredibly simple jailkbreakme method, you can now head over to Cydia and download the ultrasn0w 1.0-1 installation package. According to the iPhone Dev Team, the unlock works on the following phones:

  • iPhone4 baseband 01.59
  • 3G/3GS basebands 04.26.08, 05.11.07, 05.12.01 and 05.13.04

For those unfamiliar with unlocking, ultrasn0w will allow iPhone 4s that are carrier locked from the factory to be used on other GSM networks. For example, in the U.S. the iPhone 4 can now be used on T-Mobile or any variety of GSM carriers worldwide.

Comments     Threshold


Why is it tied?
By retepallen on 8/4/2010 6:59:51 AM , Rating: 2
Why is it so hard to get around AT&T's implementation of carrier locking?

In the UK with any other phone (and now the iPhone as it is offered by all carriers) you can request the unlocking code from your carrier and within a few days they have to give it to you by law! After that you can use whatever carrier you like.

You may be bound to pay out your contract, but I can't understand why it is so tightly guarded in the US.

RE: Why is it tied?
By Shatbot on 8/4/2010 7:08:31 AM , Rating: 4
Land of the free

RE: Why is it tied?
By zmatt on 8/4/2010 7:43:21 AM , Rating: 2
actually you can do the same here. However AT&T made an exception in their EULA that stated that if you buy the iPhone you agree to no carrier unlocks. Any other phone can be unlocked pretty easily. Of course the courts decided AT&T and Apple just can't "make" an exception if they want one. The difficulty probably lies in a unique lock to help keep the iPhone on AT&T

RE: Why is it tied?
By Justin Time on 8/4/2010 8:52:48 AM , Rating: 2
Where I live it's illegal for Apple to even attempt this type of anti-competitive behaviour, and not only must the phone be made available to all carriers, but you can buy the phone unlocked and make your own choices.

RE: Why is it tied?
By Azsen on 8/4/2010 11:12:46 AM , Rating: 2
Same in NZ. Americans shoulda just been importing them from us all this time.

RE: Why is it tied?
By Samus on 8/4/2010 10:15:51 AM , Rating: 1
We have a free market and you don't. That's why our economy here in the states is so good!


RE: Why is it tied?
By ElderTech on 8/4/2010 1:46:40 PM , Rating: 2
From a practical perspective, the only real reason to "carrier" unlock an iPhone in the US would be to obtain the ability to use it overseas. Since the user would still be obligated to pay the AT&T contract until expiration, or the early termination fee, there's likely no incentive to use it on T-Mobile.

That's not just from a financial perspective, but also from a network usage perspective, as T-Mobile doesn't have better network coverage than AT&T, from my vantage point. As an example, my daughter recently switched from T-Mobile to AT&T for an iPhone, and obtains substantially better connectivity from the east coast through the midwest and into the mountains. She's not tried it on the west coast, but that would probably be better as well from the other results.

Most Appropriate Prog Title Evar?
By 225commander on 8/4/2010 8:49:57 AM , Rating: 2
"now with added PwnApple" <-- Nice

By Mitch101 on 8/4/2010 12:41:39 PM , Rating: 2
Theres a app for that called Safari and PDF.

Apple Security Breach Gives Complete Access to Your iPhone

By cubdukat on 8/4/2010 12:53:13 PM , Rating: 2
It would seem to me that, short of doing what one poster suggested and putting some kind of lock so that the iPhone would only work with AT&T service, that refusing to sell the phone by itself would be the only other course of action Apple could take.

Guess that Droid Incredible's looking better all the time...

ATT Apple iPhone4
By dlmartin53 on 8/5/2010 12:04:53 PM , Rating: 2
It is my understanding that the purchase of a Mobile device outside the US usually is full price. With outright ownership, complete control is warranted. In the US almost nobody pays full price and thus the exclusive contracts from all providers.
They are just trying to recoop their cost of giving a $600 device to you at $200. The iPhone is a little different but generally it is just a money thing.

Watch out...
By Shatbot on 8/4/10, Rating: -1
RE: Watch out...
By TCW on 8/4/2010 9:24:23 AM , Rating: 2
No, unlocking your phone will be leaked to Wikileaks after which Jason Mick will call you anti-American.

