Late Sunday afternoon ( Nov. 28th ) the long-awaited unlock was released.

Note that this unlock currently only applies to the 3G and 3GS - an unlock for the iPhone 4 will be started next week and an ETA has not been given ( my guess : 2 weeks more ).

I have followed the blogs on this new unlock and feel confident that it's ready for prime time.

A few things to note about this unlock ( it may get a big technical here ) :

- This unlock is primarily for 4.1 firmware. For those who went to 4.2.1 firmware it will work for the 3G and select ( rare ) 3GS models.

- The jailbreak process ( always required prior to an unlock ) will upgrade your 3G or 3GS baseband to an unlockable version ( the baseband is what gets unlocked ). It cannot be downgraded once updated. It may be upgraded by subsequent firmware releases, it depends on Apples response to this unlock.

- Once the baseband is upgraded your iPhone cannot be restored by typical iTunes "click on the restore button" - it will require a custom firmware bundle that you can have created by me or someone like me ( another unlocker ).

- If you take your iPhone in for service it is possible for Apple to detect this baseband upgrade if they look for it. Apple considers owners of jailbroken iPhones to have voided their warranty, even though jailbreaking/unlocking is NOT illegal. Typically ( i.e. in the past ) if you need to service your jailbroken/unlocked iPhone from Apple you would perform a basic restore via iTunes and the iPhone will no longer have any traces of a jailbreak/unlock. This is not the case with this upgraded baseband, Apple can detect it if they look for it. My opinion is that Apple will fix this issue in a couple of new firmware releases and this baseband update will no longer be detectable ( just my opinion though ).

With these minor'ish risks in mind, I am confident of the unlock process itself, it's solid.

Anyway, if you are interested in unlocking your iPhone I can help you out, starting Tuesday ( I am booked for Monday ). I work until 6:00 this week and my first appointment would be at 6:30 ( already taken for Tuesday ). I typically meet people in select Starbucks stores in north Calgary and do the work while you wait - the cost of the jailbreak and unlock is $20 per iPhone.

Two recommendations :

1 - DO NOT upgrade to 4.2.1

2 - Sync your iPhone via iTunes prior to meeting me if you have data on your iPhone that you want to save. This jailbreak/unlock process will not delete any data but it's always good practice to backup ( via iTunes sync ) your iPhone prior to any big changes. Note that there is a second jailbreak/unlock process that WILL delete your data - I may use this process if I have any problems with the main process.

iOS 4.1 unlock status

iOS 4.2.1 firmware was released on Monday ( Nov. 22nd ) ... resist the urge to update to that version.

There currently is not an unlock for iOS 4.1 and the new 4.2.1. However, an unlock for the 3G and 3GS iPhones is expected within days with one for the iPhone 4s to come a bit later ( not ETA has been given ).

However, one thing that all of you MUST do immediately in order to ensure that you can have a "good" jailbreak for 4.2.1 is to backup what is called your SHSH information. This is information that Apple uses to determine if your device can be downgraded. Typically, Apple does not allow 3GS and iPhone 4 phones to be downgraded, they must stay on the most current version available ( the 3G iPhones do not have this issue and can be downgraded to any firmware version ). However, with saved SHSH information your 3GS and iPhone 4 can be downgraded.

The word from the jailbreak hackers is that your SHSH info for firmware 4.1 must be saved in order to ensure a "good" jailbreak, as I mention above. The process is simple :

1 - Go to the following website and download TinyUmbrella ( at the far right of the page ) for your Windows or Mac system

2 - Plug your iPhone into your computer and run TinyUmbrella ( you may get some firewall messages in a pop-up. Click on Private and Public networks, then "Allow access" ).

3 - When TinyUmbrella loads, click on your iPhone in the left pane, under "Connected Devices" and then click on "Save SHSH" at the top right of the right pane.

4 - In the "Saved SHSHs for " you should see the firmware versions for which SHSH info has been saved : e.g. iPhone4 4.2.1 (8C148) <- this is SHSH information for 4.2.1 firmware for an iPhone 4 As long as you have an entry for 4.1 ( e.g. iPhone4 4.1 (8B117) ) you have done what is requested by the iPhone hackers and are good for a soon-to-be-released jailbreak for 4.2.1 - note that you can stay on firmware version 4.1 for an unlock ... just DO NOT update your firmware right now.


That's it for now.