While we wait for a full, no-strings-attached jailbreak for the iPhone 4, let’s turn our attention to the other important matter of unlocking, shall we? iPhone Dev Team member planetbeing is teasing the world with a picture of an unlocked AT&T iPhone 4 being used way up north on Canada’s Bell — and while we don’t have a timeline for a release just yet, this should be particularly exciting news for Canadians who don’t have much interest in waiting any longer for their version of the phone to officially arrive. We’ll update you just as soon as it’s available.
[Thanks, Brad]
Update: Numerous readers have written in to remind us that the above image isn’t proof of an unlock, since an AT&T iPhone can roam on Bell. True — but considering how this is coming straight from an iPhone Dev Team member, we’re going to stay optimistic.
Update 2: Planetbeing has uploaded a video of the carrier unlock (embedded after the break), but he confesses that the existing build “sucks.” A cleaned up version should be ready for mass consumption shortly, though. [Thanks, all!]
Nexus One, EVO 4G, Droid and Dream sure, but the Acer Liquid? Yes, the underclocked Snapdragon slate that never made it stateside has just received its own Android 2.2 port. Though still in early alpha with no Wi-Fi or camera functionality and plenty of bugs to boot, the freshly frozen yogurt has the Liquid turning tricks already — with very playable-looking framerates in Raging Thunder II and Flash video support. Early adopters note that the phone isn’t terribly stable at higher CPU frequencies, so don’t expect to push that processor much higher than stock, but even 768MHz is reportedly nice and snappy when you’re running Android 2.2. Video proof after the break, and you’ll find the unfinished ROM at our more coverage link if you’re the adventurous sort. [Thanks, Miroslav]
For years now, hotel chains have been toying with alternative ways to letting patrons check-in, access their room and run up their bill with all-too-convenient in-room services. Marriott began testing smartphone check-ins way back in 2006, and select boutique locations (like The Plaza Hotel in New York and Boston’s Nine Zero) have relied on RFID, iris scanners, biometric identifiers and all sorts of whiz-bang entry methods in order to make getting past a lock that much easier (or harder, depending on perspective). This month, InterContinental Hotels Group announced that they would soon be trialing OpenWays at Chicago’s Holiday Inn Express Houston Downtown Convention Center, enabling iPhone owners to fire up an app and watch their room door open in a magical sort of way. Other smartphone platforms will also be supported, and as we’ve seen with other implementations, users of the technology will also be able to turn to their phone to order additional services, extend their stay or fess up to that window they broke. There’s no word on when this stuff will depart the testing phase and go mainstream, but we’re guessing it’ll be sooner rather than later. Video after the break, if you’re interested.
So the good news is that a class action lawsuit out in Cali is on the cusp of coming to a resolution, and the resolution will require AT&T to provide an unlock code for just about any phone it has sold since March 12, 1999 — in other words, you’ll be able to take the phone and use it on any GSM carrier of your choice. We say “just about” because there’s one big exception — any phone for which AT&T secured an exclusivity period of at least ten months — which naturally includes the iPhone (in fact, it’s called out by name in the settlement). There are some stipulations, too; if you’re postpaid, you have to have been a customer for at least 90 days, and even devices with exclusivity periods of less than ten months can’t be unlocked until the period is over (which admittedly makes good sense). Taking a Backflip somewhere else might not seem like a particularly appealing option, but who knows — maybe you’re a T-Mobile customer with a thing for backward hinges and a disdain for 3G.
The method ain’t new — it’s the same jictechnology developers offering the same code over at NextGenServer — but it will yield different results when used on the latest and greatestwebOS device. Yep, that Palm Pre unlock that enabled international GSM Pre units to work on AT&T, Telus and T-Mobile is now officially certified for use on AT&T’s own Palm Pre Plus. That means your shiny new smartphone can now hop onto T-Mobile and Telus networks with a functioning SIM card from either carrier, but unlike other unlocks, this one will cost you $35.79. Or, you know, you could pick up Verizon’s Pre Plus, nab a free mobile hotspot along the way, and pocket an old Nokia candybar for those overseas jaunts — your call, broseph.
Replace the phrase “I want my two dollars” with the slightly more complicated “I want you to pay me more money for a game you bought used, even though we received full price at retail originally,” and you’ll have a pretty good grasp on the situation here. For a while now game companies have been waging war against used game sales, most recently resorting to DLC unlock codes in games that can only be redeemed once, making the used purchase less attractive. However, EA Sports has escalated this practice right out of the stratosphere with its new “Online Pass” feature. Basically, the original purchaser is bestowed online functionality, added features, and bonus content, out of the kindness of EA’s heart (and a fun-to-enter redeem code), while a used buyer will get a 7 day trial of those things, and then have to pony up $10 if they want to keep at it. Yeah, you heard that correctly: you’ll have to pay $10 to play FutureMadden: Robots in the Red Zone online if you bought it used. The first title to get this special treatment will be Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11, and after that? Well, we’re really hoping this doesn’t take off, but the most unfortunate aspect of this diabolical scheme is we really don’t see how this could possibly hurt EA’s bottom line. Sure, it’s evil, but that’s never stopped them before.
If you’re itching to put a webOS device on your AT&T account and don’t mind having half the now-standard RAM, the developers at jictechnology have released what they’re claiming is an official, permanent SIM unlock for the original Palm Pre. A few bugs to get through, but it’s apparently legitimate enough (we haven’t tried, but the happy customers in the forums seem to suggest success) for the group to charge around £25. Great news all around, but if you’re the sort whose fixation on Palm hasn’t been so grand that you resisted switching to Sprint or Verizon, you can probably wait for the AT&T’s Plus-sized model.
The fact that the iPhone is that the world by storm, is undeniable. The uses and functions that are associated with the purchase of an iPhone are quite surprising. What if you ensure that the benefits of all functions of a 3G iPhone 2. 2. 1, but does not want to your service provider cell phone. This is exactly where terms such as unlocking and jail-break came in the debate even though many people are aware of the fact that the iPhone can be unlocked, there are very few who really understand why or how they ran of such measures. Below are some examples of how you can unlock the iPhone 3G. IPHONE UNLOCKINGThe concept is to open the discussion of the limitations placed on iPhones are handled through Apple Software Manager. These restrictions prevent your iPhone from another company, then AT & T (the iPhone is locked to the AT & T) and limit its ability to download, install or even specific applications you want. iPhone is not the same as an iPod, and has no real way to access files or change system using the set. The term refers to the development process of the evolution of these restrictions and the system in which a SIM card, any company, using spin and give you access, read and write all types of media and file system in any way you want. This is essentially gives complete control over your iPhone 3G. If the iPhone was first released the iPhone DevTeam soon managed to find a way to unlock the iPhone through a software hack. Through a small program that could be freely downloadable iPhone unlock in minutes. Unlock the detriment of the software is that this will invalidate your warranty with Apple. Apple has to unlock the software and closes the security gaps that the use was DevTeam, and a new version of firmware for the iPhone. Within a week, the DevTeam found a new vulnerability, and launched a new fully unlock software unlock the iPhone. The game of cat and mouse between Apple and the DevTeam has gone, as Apple launches new iPhone software version, the permanent closure of the security leak. The latest iPhone 3G software version 2 2. 1 (modern version 2. 30. 03) can not be unlocked via a software solution. The DevTeam undertook to find a new solution, but it seems that the vulnerability in the iPhone has been finally closed. You should now see how it is used to unlock the iPhone to go all the advantages? The best and currently the only way to unlock the iPhone 3G 2nd 2. 1 is using a SIM unlock. The whole iPhone activation is as simple as inserting a SIM card in the iPhone. This map has been tested with iPhone Unlocking experts and you can be sure that all agreements and leadership in the members area in order to elaborate, develop and optimize your iPhone 3G 2nd 2. 1 is possible in the safest way. The major advantage of hardware unlock the iPhone SIM card of this small is that the phone will remain locked when released a firmware update Apple next, and the unlocking does not void the Apple warranty, and unlocked with the software.
For more information about unlocking the iPhone, please visit Unlock iPhone 3G 2nd 2. 1-site.
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