iPod Site

Late last year, the U.S. Copyright Office ruled that users can legally unlock their phone in order to use it on a competing carrier?s network. Phillip Torrone from Make Magazine posted an article last week touching on this subject.

This is a grab from this Copyright Office Document.

So, what is the hold up? What legal battles does iphonesimfree.com face?

OK, so it *is* legal to unlock your iPhone, but should you? Will future updates disable the unlocked phone? We have hackers smart enough to break the lock, I am sure Apple has hackers working on their side too. Do they care? Who knows, I am sure ATT has to care.

What do you think?

Here is one kid that is thankful he worked hard on his love for technology. George Hotz is the 17-year-old who unlocked the iPhone and he is now working for CertiCell.  They were the company that ended up giving him a Nissan 350Z and 3 iPhones for his unlocked iPhone.  He was a very happy Camper  hacker!

George was the first to unlock and iPhone so it can work with GSM networks especially the European networks. Hotz teach his new employers how to unlock the iPhone. Terry Daidone of CertiCell said ?We do not have any plans on the table right now to commercialize Mr. Hotz? discovery. However, we are keenly interested in having Mr. Hotz assist our engineers in developing solutions to other software related challenges including software updating, re-flashing and memory elimination of repaired and or refurbished cellular handsets?

Nice going kid!!

via iPhone Alley

Initial story of Holtz getting the Nissan 350Z and the three iPhones posted here on Mobilitysite on Saturday

Geohot, the guy that showed you his unlocked iPhone in this video,  put that iPhone up on ebay. According to Crunchgear, it was up to $3,000 when they posted their story, but now it shows ~ $500 and closed due to seller posting error. If you want a shot at it again, keep your eyes open, but I doubt it will be relisted. He either sold it for some sick amount to someone and took his listing down or someone ?upstairs? sent some legal hounds out to shut it down.

UPDATE: Ebay made him take down the auction. Additionally, he traded it to someone for a Nissan 350z and 3 iPhones. Wow

Terry Daidone, the founder of Certicell contacted me this morning, and offered to make a trade for the iPhone. I traded it for a sweet Nissan 350Z and 3 8GB iPhones. I will be sending the iPhones, unlocked if they wish, to jpetrie(the first donater), gray(the reversing genius), and iProof(who is truly amazing at finding stuff online) Thanks a lot everyone. I leave for college tomorrow, and this has been a great end to a great summer. If I ever do anything more with the iPhone, it?ll definitely be posted here. Also I contacted iphonesimfree and offered to verify on this blog their claims of a software unlock. No response yet?

Extra $3G Lying Around? You Could Have an Unlocked iPhone!

Sung to the tune of ?Too much time on my hands?, a teenager on summer break has managed to unlock an iPhone from AT&T.  It is apparently not an easy fix, but for the DIY?ers?

NEW YORK (AP) - A 17-year-old hacker has broken the lock that ties Apple?s iPhone to AT&T?s wireless network, freeing the most hyped cell phone ever for use on the networks of other carriers, including overseas ones.

George Hotz of Glen Rock, N.J., confirmed Friday that he had unlocked an iPhone and was using it on T-Mobile?s network, the only major U.S. carrier apart from AT&T that is compatible with the iPhone?s cellular technology. In a video posted to his blog, he holds an iPhone that displays ?T-Mobile? as the carrier.

 While the possibility of switching from AT&T to T-Mobile may not be a major development for U.S. consumers, it opens up the iPhone for use on the networks of overseas carriers.

?That?s the big thing,? said Hotz, in a phone interview from his home.

The phone, which combines an innovative touch-screen interface with the media-playing abilities of the iPod, is sold only in the U.S.

AT&T Inc. spokesman Mark Siegel said the company had no comment, and referred questions to Apple. A call to Apple was not immediately returned. Hotz said the companies had not been in touch with him.

The hack, which Hotz posted Thursday to his blog, is complicated and requires skill with both soldering and software. It takes him about two hours to perform. Since the details are public, it seems likely that a small industry may spring up to buy U.S. iPhones, unlock them and send them overseas.

?That?s exactly, like, what I don?t want,? Hotz said. ?I don?t want people making money off this.? 

Story at: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8R7H9OG1&show_article=1

I saw this today along with several other gruesome photos of damaged goods at tuaw.com ?. you definitely can feel the pain! 

But on the lighter side, some of you daring folks can take advantage and head over to the The Apple Store (U.S.) and buy this baby all fixed and polished up to look like brand new and get a very small discount ($100 off of the original price).

i Lounge.com?s free iPod Book 3.0 ? a guide to iPod use, buying, selling and accessories?has been downloaded over 1,000,000 times. Today, the editors of iLounge have released the Free iPod Book 3.3, which includes the iPhone. It is 244 pages in Adobe PDF format and is available for download in versions viewable on any PC or Macintosh computer.

The Free iPod Book 3.3 features ratings of over 1,375 iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV-related products and services, as well as extensive sections devoted to making the most of each of Apple?s digital media players.

All Things iPod guide helps you expand your iPod with over 130 quick tips divided into 15 useful sections- how to add free or paid music, books, videos, and games to your iPod, get the best deals on new and used iPods, and customize your iPod with top accessories or physical modifications. There are also sections on troubleshooting, repairing, and replacing your iPod, plus more.

A section called iTunes Tips and Tricks provides over 140 tips to improving your PC or Mac iTunes experience. (transfer iPod contents back to computer, back up iTunes library, improve sound quality)

Newly added, The Free iPhone Book provides a comprehensive look at the iPhone?s features, pros, and cons, as well as AT&T service plans, repair costs, downloadable software, and top accessories. Reviewers point you towards the best cases, earphones, and Bluetooth wireless accessories on the market, and rate everything else so you?ll know how it compares.

To download Free iPod Book 3.3  visit iLounge Book 3

To see 2007 iPod Buyer?s Guide and past editions of free iPod book visit iLounge Library

Source: iLounge press release

H2O Audio, the leading brand of waterproof and ruggedized sports accessories including a complete line specifically designed for Apple iPods, announced today the release of the iS2, the first waterproof case designed exclusively for the latest iPodShuffle.

H2O Audio?s iS2 features include:

• Waterproof case that is rated for unlimited submersion at 10ft and provides exceptional impact protection for rugged conditions

• Patented control pad is built in to the iS2?s waterproof case and provides full access to the Shuffle?s controls, even while submerged underwater

• Includes a secure, comfortable sport armband that is designed to fit most arm sizes

• Case is fully compatible with the patented H2O Audio Underwater Headphones (sold separately) and also works with any standard headphones

MSRP for the iS2 waterproof case for the iPod Shuffle 2 is USD $39.95. H2O Audio products and accessories are available at available at Apple stores, REI, Dick?s Sporting Goods, CompUSA, Fry?s Electronics, and surf/skate/snow stores.

For more information visit H2O Audio

Source:H2O Audio press release

Energizer Holdings announced today the introduction of the Energizer Energi To Go Portable Power for iPod. This battery-powered device will be available at retail nationwide this fall.

The Energizer Energi To Go Portable Power for iPod is powered by two Energizer e2 Lithium AA batteries. The device features a patented intelligent control chip that maximizes power transfer to the iPod. Its unique flip design allows it to function as a stand while charging and to be folded for easy storage. .

In testing with Energizer e2 Lithium AA batteries, the Energizer Energi To Go charger provided more than 46 hours of music playback on the iPod nano and more than 32 hours of music playback on the iPod with video.

The Energizer Energi To Go Portable Power for iPod features a licensed Apple iPod tip and is adjustable so that it?s compatible with iPod (with & without video) and iPod nano. The MSRP for Energizer Energi To Go iPod Portable Power Source is $29.99 and includes the charger and two Energizer e2 Lithium AA batteries.

The Energizer Energi To Go line also includes the Energizer Energi To Go Instant Cell Phone Charger, a portable battery-powered device that supplies power to the majority of today?s wireless phones. The Instant Cell Phone Charger offers phone tip connectors to fit approximately 100 phone models across top manufacturers, and include most Nokia, Motorola, Sprint, LG, and Samsung cellular phones, as well as mini-USB devices such as the Razr, Blackberry, and Palm Treo. Its MRSP is $19.99.

For more information visit Energi To Go

Source:Energizer press release

There was a cool video on kottke.org about a potential new iPhone feature on how a copy and paste feature might work on the iPhone. As cool as it was, what was even better was a lengthy discussion about how to implement this on kottke.org last month.  It begs the question: ?Did Steve Jobs make a huge blunder by not allowing 3rd party developers to write applications for the iPhone??.  I think he did and it will eventually come back and bite Apple in the backside.  Web applications will be good, no, they will be excellent, but the lost creativity from having a closed system is almost sinful.

observations beg the question: how are new capabilities going to get added to the iPhone? A bunch of you are either interaction/interface designers or otherwise clever folks?how would you add a feature like a clipboard to the iPhone?

New iPhone features (kottke.org) via Engadget Mobile

Which I stole from a user of some forums I came across in some forums when I was searching for the existence of a sim removal tool. Well, here is the official (stolen idea) answer.

Apparently an Engadget reader sent an iPhone in for repair and got this back with his returned iPhone. If you remember, I posted an incredibly helpful video on how to get over this hurdle. Apple, were you watching this video. I want to be paid for my stolen idea that you in turn took from me. 

Source: Engadget