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.