Hacks

After dealing with the infuriating way of Jailbreaking 1.1.3 (the one where you had to downgrade), it’s a relief to know that an easier way has been posted. Developer Zibri has released a one click App that auto jailbreaks 1.1.3 with the only difference being it’s official.  The only other difference was this was supposed to wait until the SDK arrived.

Well, if recent rumors turn out to be true (we hope not) then the Dev Team will look mighty foolish. The only requirement for this process is iTunes 7.4.2 which you can download from here. The Windows App can be downloaded here and you’ll need to run “ziphone.exe”

A Mac version was posted but very few got it to work and it was pulled. I tried the Mac version and was unable to run it at all.

Via: iPhone Atlas

In yet another obvious observation of the tech industry, Apple rumor Blogs are perpetuating a possibile price cut for the iPhone.

The price reduction of $100 (slated for February) for each model is being based off the current introduction of a new 16 GB iPhone shortly after Macworld. Besides piss off the few who waited out the announcments only to be taunted with a new higher capacity iPhone, Apple would do it yet again with such a quick price cut. Let’s ignore the fact that the last price decrease was September and that 6 months later would’vd been a good time to cut down the price but there are two factors that will affect this decision. First is the abruptness coming after a new model, if you thought we were irate when only after 2 months Apple cut the price, just wait to see the horde afterwards.

But wait, wasn’t the Intel Mac Mini revealed at a special event around the same time? True, it was but with a storage update a few weeks after Macworld and a subsequent price cut, the double whammy would be too much to bear.

iPodNN

When I got word that update 1.1.3 had cell tower and Wi-Fi tracking, I was overjoyed. Finally a supported version of pseudo-GPS from Apple. My joy did not last long, because as of recently Navizon, the company that developed the first pseudo-GPS on the iPhone, has added some new services. Now Navizon allows for the positioning system to update every 10 seconds. If your on the road, you can get an up-to-date position instead of hitting the triangulate button multiple times. The service now includes a system bar which runs with the maps application. This allows for easy access to some of the new services. The 3rd party app also includes a buddy positioning system similar to that offered by Helio and Boost Mobile. By adding buddies Navizon users can have a knowledge of where their other Navizon using friends are. This of course can be turned off if someone wanted to drop of the grid. The app also runs in the background which allows for friends to find the user without him/her actively using Navizon.

Right now this is bad news for me. I love this application and… more...

Chances are after upgrading to 1.1.3 on either your iPhone or iPod Touch, you’ve needed to downgrade back to 1.1.1 just to Jailbreak the latest Firmware update. Although the process is tedious (especially if you have an iPhone, iPod Touch owners have it easy) its been simplified thanks to Jailbreakme.com.

For those not in the know (and you really should know if you’re into Jailbreaking on even the lowest level), Jailbreakme.com utilizes a TIFF exploit in Safari to gain access to the iPhone and Jailbreak it. This allows you to install 3rd party Apps along side Installer.

The improvements stream line the process greatly by reducing install time and prepping your iPhone for a 1.1.2 Jalbreak.  In addition, Community Sources are installed by default allowing for a greater selection of Applications.

Jailbreak away

Via: TUAW

Before you begin Jailbreaking, you’ll have to take some important steps. Chances are you’ll have to downgrade and even upgrade, below is a helpful list for determining what to do.

Firmware 1.0.0 to 1.0.2

-Sorry guys, you’ll need 1.1.1 for this.

Firmware 1.1.1

-Must be Jailbroken using TIFF exploit (http://www.jailbreakme.com)
-OktoPrep must be installed through Installer.
-Proceed to upgrade to 1.1.2 ONLY.

Firmware 1.1.2

-Must be Jailbroken used Conceited Software’s method (http://conceitedsoftware.com/iphone/site/112jb.html)
-There are various methods of Jailbreaking available, check out our post

Firmware 1.1.3

-Must downgrade to 1.1.1 to perform Jailbreak for 1.1.2
-Baseband will not be downgraded, reverting to an earlier Firmware will disable all phone features
-Only way to enable phone features is to do a total restore of 1.1.3

Software

Firmware 1.1.1 is available here for download
Firmware 1.1.2 is available here for download

1.1.3 Jailbreak files are available via this mirror.

Nate True has recently released a semi working Jailbreak for iPhone running 1.1.3 but we are issuing a word of caution for those thinking of running this: don’t.

There are a lot of issues most of which can cause a lot of problems. iPhone Atlas reports most of them below.

The Google Maps “Locate Me” function will not work as well after applying this jailbreak. That’s because this method doesn’t upgrade the iPhone’s cell phone radio, meaning only Wi-Fi data will be used to estimate your current position.

iTunes Store previews don’t work with this method.

A variety of issues can cause you to have to restore your iPhone — over and over in some cases — in order to get this jailbreak to take.

Your iPhone may take a while (up to 4 minutes) to boot after applying the jailbreak.

The jailbreak currently doesn’t work on PowerPC-based Macs.

Developer Jonathan Zdziarski reports of another serious problem with the Jailbreaking method.

“It looks like Nate’s update causes Nikita to break (Nikita is the component on the iPhone/iTouch responsible for installing signed software, such as the iPod App Pack… more...

After wasting away a whole day trying to Jailbreak my iPhone running 1.1.3, there are some very important thing I’ve found that should be passed on to those looking to do the same thing.

What To Do If you Mess Up

You’ll probably run into iTunes spurting out errors with seemingly random numbers or your iPhone refusing to boot up staying stuck on the “oh crap, you need to fix me now!” screen. All of this is reversible but once you start, you can’t go back and if you fail, you’ll have to keep trying. The biggest issue is mucking around with the Base Band which is upgraded alongside 1.1.3 to accommodate SkyHook’s Locate Me feature.

Downgrading your Firmware does not downgrade the Base Band.

This is very important to keep in mind when you revert back to 1.1.1 or even 1.1.2 to prepare for Jailbreaking 1.1.3. In some cases I was able to get my calling capabilities back running 1.1.2 but until you upgrade back to 1.1.3, you’ll be going through a lot of pain just to get it working. Alternatively you can always start over back at 1.1.3 and… more...

After Nate True went rogue and released a very clunky Jailbreak for 1.1.3, the Dev Team changed plans and released an official method. Luckily, the new way is a hell of a lot easier than the old.

The process is very straightforward but requires a lot of patience and knowledge of what you’re doing. Take it from me, it can be a very long process if not done right.

You can find multiple guides online but keep in mind that if you are hoping to Jailbreak 1.1.3, you’ll have to be on 1.1.2 Jailbroken already. You can downgrade but the process is very tedious and you’ll be mucking around with the Base Band. 1.1.3 upgrades the Base Band for Google Maps’ Locate Me feature, downgrading does not change the BB at all and changing the Firmware prevents you from calling until you upgrade back.

As always iPhone Atlas has a very detailed guide on the procedure and iClarified has a very thorough walkthrough for Windows, Mac and running it directly from your iPhone.

I’ve never been a fan of Guitar Hero, but I am pretty interested in Pocket Guitar.

Pocket Guitar is a virtual guitar that transforms your iPhone and iPod Touch into workable guitar frets. Play a chord and strum your iPhone for an experience in music you thought you could never have and may have never wanted.

Pocket Guitar even lets you kick out the jams with songs loaded on your iPhone.

Pocket Guitar is super simple to install and you can find it here. Now if you could excuse me, I am going to work on my acoustic masterpiece!

After recent debates on whether or not to release a Jailbreak for 1.1.3, the decision has been made: a Jailbreak will arrive soon, probably by time you’re reading this. In addition, a special Jailbreaking method will be released some time in the future that uses a yet to be exploited hole.

The process of Jailbreaking will be quite tedious according to the developers but not harder than the method used on 1.1.2. The downsides to running Applications on 1.1.3 is then being placed in a user restricted mode and any access to var/root is denied which has caused some Apps to break.

Via: iPhone Atlas