However this isn’t that difficult if you’re part of an elite team of “iPhone hackers” that keep upstaging Apple after every firmware update. Yesterday the Wall Street Journal published ... Read More]]>

Ever since I laid my hands on the original first gen iPhone, I had to use various tools to activate/jailbreak/unlock my phone. It definitely requires some skills to reverse engineer and figure out ways to bypass Apple’s lockdown on the iPhone.

However this isn’t that difficult if you’re part of an elite team of “iPhone hackers” that keep upstaging Apple after every firmware update. Yesterday the Wall Street Journal published an intriguing article detailing the lives of AriX, Chronic, Geohot and the Chronic Dev Team.

Here’s an excerpt:

Ari [he is 15 years old!], who goes by AriX online, soon began to work with the Chronic Dev Team’s half-dozen teenagers and twentysomethings. The group communicates almost exclusively via a private online chat room, where they can talk and send files. Team members say they don’t know all the others’ real-life identities. One of them, Mr. Strafach says, lives in Austria.

Earlier this year, Ari and his team tried to hack more efficiently by working with another group — iPhone Dev Team, an invitation-only bunch in their 20s and 30s who have typically been the first to roll out iPhone hacks.

Members of the iPhone Dev Team worried about working in a large group. In part, they were concerned that if information leaked out about the security holes they were probing, others could exploit them first. Or, Apple could plug the holes. In March, the two groups stopped communicating.

…and WSJ video (it’s a Flash video, you’ll need to view it on a computer):

I always found it interesting how these two groups would get into their debates as to release jailbreaking tools early or until after firmware updates. Personally, I don’t mind waiting a bit longer to ensure that tools will work for updated firmware versions, instead of jailbreaking relentlessly time and time again.

Within the article, real names of iPhone Dev Team and Chronic Dev Team members are revealed. So if you’ve been waiting to find out more about what these guys do behind the scenes, get ready for the identity bubble to burst. I never thought that some of these guys would reveal themselves, but I guess when the Wall Street Journal comes knocking you reconsider holding back.

[Wall Street Journal]

PS – I asked IM+ for more promo codes to give away since we had such an overwhelming response to our original IM+ with Push Contest Giveaway (winners posted here). Reply to this post and I’ll pick two more lucky winners! Must reply before midnight!

PPS – I’ve installed a new commenting system from DISQUS, which will enable a better experience for everyone replying to and responding to blog posts. You can login with your Facebook or twitter credentials, and registering a DISQUS account will ensure that nobody can pretend to be YOU (plus it keeps track of comments you made etc)! Check it out!

Jailbreaking is a term used that refers to modifying the software on your iPhone/iPod. These modifications essentially “free” your device from the device constraints and allow you to do functions such as applying custom wallpapers, changing the way the icons look, ... Read More]]>

Looking to jailbreak and/or unlock your iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 1G, or iPod Touch 2G? You have come to the right place!

What is ‘Jailbreaking’?

Jailbreaking is a term used that refers to modifying the software on your iPhone/iPod. These modifications essentially “free” your device from the device constraints and allow you to do functions such as applying custom wallpapers, changing the way the icons look, modifying text message tones, changing the device sounds, and about 1 million other things. The list is endless. The image below is an example of what you can do with a jailbroken iPhone/iPod Touch:

Jailbreaking is accomplished by using programs such as ‘redsn0w’ (listed below). Once you do jailbreak however, it is not permanent. At any time you can restore your iPhone/iPod Touch to factory defaults and return the device back to ‘normal’. However until you do the restore, your device will stay jailbroken. Also, it goes without saying that this voids your warranty, but when you restore to factory defaults, the traces of jailbreaking are usually cleaned up.

If you want to know more about Jailbreaking, you can read all about it here.

What is ‘Unlocking’?

The wireless carriers in Canada, such as Rogers and Fido, put “carrier locks” on their devices. What this does is prevent you from using the device on another wireless network. For example, you cannot take a Rogers device and put a Fido SIM card into it and vice versa.

Using similar methods to jailbreaking, one can unlock their iPhone. This allows you to “free” your device and allows the user to put any SIM card into the device. For example, if you unlock your Rogers iPhone, you can now put a Fido SIM in, or AT&T or O2 or whoever.

Unlocking is accomplished by using programs such as ‘ultrasn0w’ (listed below). Once you do the unlock however, it is not permanent. At any time you can restore your iPhone to factory defaults and return the device back to ‘normal’. However until you do the restore, your device will stay unlocked. Also, it goes without saying that this voids your warranty, but when you restore to factory defaults, the traces of the unlock are usually cleaned up.

If you want to know more about Unlocking, you can read all about it here.

Read Me Before Continuing

Before we begin, please take some time to review the notes below as they are very important:

- Do not update to firmware 3.1 if you want to be able to unlock or jailbreak your iPhone/iPod Touch

- The methods listed below can be followed on BOTH a PC or a Mac

- Users experiencing download issues when using Internet Explorer or Safari should use Firefox, as that seems to work fine

- If the 3.0 firmware files download as a .ZIP and are unusable, change the .ZIP extension to .IPSW

- Some users report problems with installing ‘Icy’. If you want, you can avoid installing it by simply not putting a check mark beside it.

- Once again, Do not update to firmware 3.1 if you want to be able to unlock or jailbreak your iPhone/iPod Touch

—————

The Jailbreak/Unlock Methods

Below you will find the guides of how to jailbreak and unlock an iPhone or an iPod Touch. There are five sections:

1.) How To Jailbreak and Unlock the iPhone 2G on 3.0 Firmware

2.) How To Jailbreak and Unlock the iPhone 3G on 3.0 Firmware

3.) How To Jailbreak and Unlock the iPhone 3GS on 3.0 Firmware

4.) How To Jailbreak the iPod Touch 1G/2G on 3.0 Firmware

5.) How To Revert Your iPhone 2G/3G/3GS or iPod Touch 1G/2G Back To “Normal”

—————

1.) How To Jailbreak and Unlock the iPhone 2G on 3.0 Firmware

To jailbreak and/or unlock your iPhone 2G on the 3.0 firmware and so you can put in your Rogers/Fido SIM card (or any other carrier SIM), follow the steps below:

1.) Download redsn0w 0.8 (a more powerful QuickPwn) for Mac here or Windows here and extract the install file “redsn0w” to a folder.

2.) Download the 3.0 firmware for the iPhone 2G here.

3.) Download the Bootloader File 3.9 and Bootloader File 4.6.

4.) Put the downloads from Steps 1, 2, 3 into a single folder together.

5.) Open iTunes and plug your iPhone 2G in via the USB. Backup your iPhone 2G if iTunes allows you to.

6.) When iTunes recognizes the iPhone 2G, click “Check for Updates” in iTunes. This will update your iPhone 2G with the 3.0 firmware. (If you are already running 3.0, go to Step 8).

Note: If firmware 3.1 has been released, skip step 6. Instead, you must do a restore to 3.0 using the firmware from step 2. On a PC, hold Shift on the keyboard or on a Mac, hold Option on the keyboard, and click “Restore” in iTunes. A window will open. Select the 3.0 firmware from step 2 and then proceed to step 7.

7.) After the update is complete, iTunes will prompt you to Set up a New Device or Restore from Back Up from an existing backup. Choose which ever you want and let iTunes process.

8.) After the processing is complete, keep the iPhone 2G plugged in via USB. Eject the iPhone 2G from within iTunes and close iTunes. Turn the iPhone 2G off and then turn the iPhone 2G back on.

9.) Open the redsn0w install file and click “Browse”. A window will open. Locate the downloaded 3.0 firmware from Step 2 and click Open.

10.) Once the firmware is verified, click Next. On the next screen, put a check mark beside Cydia and Unlock and then click Next.

11.) Now click Browse beside each Bootloader file and locate the ones you downloaded from step 3. Then click Next.

12.) Follow the on-screen instructions EXACTLY.

13.) Redsn0w will guide you on how to get your iPhone 2G into Recovery Mode. Recovery mode can be hard to do, so make sure you follow the steps. If the iPhone 2G does not get into Recovery Mode, just quit redsn0w and you will have to try again starting from step 8.

14.) After the processing is complete (about 5 – 6 minutes), your iPhone 2G will be jailbroken and unlocked. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone 2G. Turn the iPhone 2G off and then turn the iPhone 2G back on.

15.) Run the Cydia app on your iPhone 2G running 3.0 firmware and apply all of the prompted updates.

16.) Go back into Cydia, tap Search and type in mobilesubstrate. Ensure you are running the latest version. If not, tap Install and then Confirm.

—————

2.) How To Jailbreak and Unlock the iPhone 3G on 3.0 Firmware

To jailbreak and/or unlock your iPhone 3G on the 3.0 firmware and so you can put in your Rogers/Fido SIM card (or any other carrier SIM), follow the steps below:

How to Jailbreak the iPhone 3G

1.) Download redsn0w 0.8 (a more powerful QuickPwn) for Mac here or Windows here and extract the install file “redsn0w” to a folder.

2.) Download the 3.0 firmware for the iPhone 3G here.

3.) Put the downloads from Steps 1 and 2 into a single folder together.

4.) Open iTunes and plug your iPhone 3G in via the USB. Backup your iPhone 3G if iTunes allows you to.

5.) When iTunes recognizes the iPhone 3G, click “Check for Updates” in iTunes. This will update your iPhone 3G with the 3.0 firmware. (If you are already running 3.0, go to Step 7).

Note: If firmware 3.1 has been released, skip step 5. Instead, you must do a restore to 3.0 using the firmware from step 2. On a PC, hold Shift on the keyboard or on a Mac, hold Option on the keyboard, and click “Restore” in iTunes. A window will open. Select the 3.0 firmware from step 2 and then proceed to step 6.

6.) After the update is complete, iTunes will prompt you to Set up a New Device or Restore from Back Up from an existing backup. Choose which ever you want and let iTunes process.

7.) After the processing is complete, keep the iPhone 3G plugged in via USB. Eject the iPhone 3G from within iTunes and close iTunes. Turn the iPhone 3G off and then turn the iPhone 3G back on.

8.) Open the redsn0w install file and click “Browse”. A window will open. Locate the downloaded 3.0 firmware from Step 2.

9.) Once the firmware is verified, click Next. On the next screen, put a check mark beside Cydia and Icy and then click Next.

10.) Follow the on-screen instructions EXACTLY.

11.) Redsn0w will guide you on how to get your iPhone 3G into Recovery Mode. Recovery mode can be hard to do, so make sure you follow the steps. If the iPhone 3G does not get into Recovery Mode, just quit redsn0w and you will have to try again starting from step 7.

12.) After the processing is complete (about 5 – 6 minutes), your iPhone 3G will be jailbroken. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone 3G. Turn the iPhone 3G off and then turn the iPhone 3G back on.

How to Unlock the iPhone 3G

1.) Run the Cydia app on your iPhone 3G running 3.0 firmware and apply all of the prompted updates.

2) Go back into Cydia, tap Search and type in mobilesubstrate. Ensure you are running the latest version. If not, tap Install and then Confirm.

3) Go back into Cydia, tap Manage, Sources, Edit, and Add the repo repo666.ultrasn0w.com.

4.) Select the newly added Repo in the Sources Menu screen and select ‘ultrasn0w’. Then tap Install and then Confirm. After the install, tap Return to Cydia and then push the iPhone Home Button.

5.) Turn the iPhone 3G off and then turn the iPhone 3G back on.

—————

3.) How To Jailbreak and Unlock the iPhone 3GS on 3.0 Firmware

To jailbreak and/or unlock your iPhone 3GS on the 3.0 firmware and so you can put in your Rogers/Fido SIM card (or any other carrier SIM), follow the steps below:

How to Jailbreak the iPhone 3GS

1.) Download redsn0w 0.8 (a more powerful QuickPwn) for Mac here or Windows here and extract the install file “redsn0w” to a folder.

2.) Download the 3.0 firmware for the iPhone 3GS here.

3.) Put the downloads from Steps 1 and 2 into a single folder together.

4.) Open iTunes and plug your iPhone 3GS in via the USB. Backup your iPhone 3GS if iTunes allows you to.

5.) When iTunes recognizes the iPhone 3GS, click “Check for Updates” in iTunes. This will update your iPhone 3GS with the 3.0 firmware. (If you are already running 3.0, go to Step 7).

Note: If firmware 3.1 has been released, skip step 5. Instead, you must do a restore to 3.0 using the firmware from step 2. On a PC, hold Shift on the keyboard or on a Mac, hold Option on the keyboard, and click “Restore” in iTunes. A window will open. Select the 3.0 firmware from step 2 and then proceed to step 6.

6.) After the update is complete, iTunes will prompt you to Set up a New Device or Restore from Back Up from an existing backup. Choose which ever you want and let iTunes process.

7.) After the processing is complete, keep the iPhone 3GS plugged in via USB. Eject the iPhone 3GS from within iTunes and close iTunes. Turn the iPhone 3GS off and then turn the iPhone 3GS back on.

8.) Open the redsn0w install file and click “Browse”. A window will open. Locate the downloaded 3.0 firmware from Step 2.

9.) Once the firmware is verified, click Next. On the next screen, put a check mark beside Cydia and Icy and then click Next.

10.) Follow the on-screen instructions EXACTLY.

11.) Redsn0w will guide you on how to get your iPhone 3GS into Recovery Mode. Recovery mode can be hard to do, so make sure you follow the steps. If the iPhone 3GS does not get into Recovery Mode, just quit redsn0w and you will have to try again starting from step 7.

12.) After the processing is complete (about 5 – 6 minutes), your iPhone 3GS will be jailbroken. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone 3GS. Turn the iPhone 3GS off and then turn the iPhone 3GS back on.

How to Unlock the iPhone 3GS

1.) Run the Cydia app on your iPhone 3GS running 3.0 firmware and apply all of the prompted updates.

2) Go back into Cydia, tap Search and type in mobilesubstrate. Ensure you are running the latest version. If not, tap Install and then Confirm.

3) Go back into Cydia, tap Manage, Sources, Edit, and Add the repo repo666.ultrasn0w.com.

4.) Select the newly added Repo in the Sources Menu screen and select ‘ultrasn0w’. Then tap Install and then Confirm. After the install, tap Return to Cydia and then push the iPhone Home Button.

5.) Turn the iPhone 3GS off and then turn the iPhone 3GS back on.

—————

4.) How To Jailbreak the iPod Touch 1G/2G on 3.0 Firmware

To jailbreak your iPod Touch on 3.0 firmware, follow the steps below:

1.) Download redsn0w 0.8 (a more powerful QuickPwn) for Mac here or Windows here and extract the install file “redsn0w” to a folder.

2.) Download the 3.0 firmware for the iPod Touch 1G here or iPod Touch 2G here.

3.) Put the downloads from Steps 1 and 2 into a single folder together.

4.) Open iTunes and plug your iPod Touch in via the USB. Backup your iPod Touch if iTunes allows you to.

5.) When iTunes recognizes the iPod Touch, click “Check for Updates” in iTunes. This will update your iPod Touch with the 3.0 firmware. (If you are already running 3.0, go to Step 7).

Note: If firmware 3.1 has been released, skip step 5. Instead, you must do a restore to 3.0 using the firmware from step 2. On a PC, hold Shift on the keyboard or on a Mac, hold Option on the keyboard, and click “Restore” in iTunes. A window will open. Select the 3.0 firmware from step 2 and then proceed to step 6.

6.) After the update is complete, iTunes will prompt you to Set up a New Device or Restore from Back Up from an existing backup. Choose which ever you want and let iTunes process.

7.) After the processing is complete, keep the iPod Touch plugged in via USB. Eject the iPod Touch from within iTunes and close iTunes. Turn the iPod Touch off and then turn the iPod Touch back on.

8.) Open the redsn0w install file and click “Browse”. A window will open. Locate the downloaded 3.0 firmware from Step 2.

9.) Once the firmware is verified, click Next. On the next screen, put a check mark beside Cydia and Icy and then click Next.

10.) Follow the on-screen instructions EXACTLY.

11.) Redsn0w will guide you on how to get your iPod Touch into Recovery Mode. Recovery mode can be hard to do, so make sure you follow the steps. If the iPod Touch does not get into Recovery Mode, just quit redsn0w and you will have to try again starting from step 7.

12.) After the processing is complete (about 5 – 6 minutes), your iPod Touch will be jailbroken. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPod Touch. Turn the iPod Touch off and then turn the iPod Touch back on.

—————

5.) How To Revert Your iPhone 2G/3G/3GS or iPod Touch 1G/2G Back To “Normal”

So you have Jailbroken or Unlocked (or both) your iPhone 2G/3G/3GS or iPod Touch 1G/2G but now you want to revert to the factory fresh iPhone 2G/3G/3GS or iPod Touch 1G/2G. To do so, follow the steps below:

1.) Open iTunes and plug your iPhone 2G/3G/3GS or iPod Touch 1G/2G in via the USB. Backup your iPhone/iPod Touch if iTunes allows you to.

2.) When iTunes recognizes the iPhone/iPod Touch, click “Restore” in iTunes. This will restore your iPhone/iPod Touch with fresh 3.0 firmware.

Note: If firmware 3.1 has been released, by clicking restoring in step 2 above, you will restore your device to 3.1 firmware. Doing this may prevent you from re-jailbreaking or re-unlocking in the future. Instead, you will want to download the 3.0 firmware here for your device. Click on your device for the firmware: iPhone 2G here, iPhone 3G here, iPhone 3GS here, iPod Touch 1G here, and iPod Touch 2G here.

Next, on a PC, hold Shift on the keyboard or on a Mac, hold Option on the keyboard and click “Restore” in iTunes. A window will open. Select the 3.0 firmware.

3.) After the restore is complete, iTunes will prompt you to Set up a New Device or Restore from Back Up from an existing backup. Choose which ever you want and let iTunes process.

4.) After the processing is complete, your iPhone/iPod Touch will be loaded with the fresh 3.0 firmware or loaded with your back up that you may have chosen.

5.) Eject the iPhone/iPod Touch from iTunes and disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone/iPod Touch. Turn the iPhone/iPod Touch off and then turn the iPhone/iPod Touch back on.

—————

If you follow the steps above carefully, you will have success.

Enjoy!

Flipping World is an extremely entertaining game that quizzes you on geography, specifically on various countries ... Read More]]>

How well do you know your world geography? Can you point out Venezuela on a map? What about Canada? I hope you can point out both, especially the latter, because I have a game for you called Flipping World that will put your geography knowledge to the test!

Flipping World by BLACKSheep

Flipping World is an extremely entertaining game that quizzes you on geography, specifically on various countries around the world. The game will help you learn the names and locations of various countries around the world, but does so in a very amusing way.

The game includes six levels which range in difficulty from easy to very hard. The first level that starts out is South America and it is quite easy if you know some of the more popular countries, but as the levels increase to North America and Europe and so on, identifying countries becomes quite a challenge.

However, Flipping World does take mercy on you and allows you some hints, but those are limited, so you must use your hints wisely! You can activate your hints by either tapping the hints button at the bottom of the screen or by shaking your iPhone (this can be toggled on/off in the settings menu).

Within each level are a series of questions regarding the location of a specific country. There is a map that provides a visual location of the country and it is up to you to know or guess the name of that country. Please note that the game does require an active data or WiFi internet connection in order for the maps to load correctly. The internet connection is especially important for iPod Touch users and iPhone users out there that do not have a data plan because you have to remember to be on WiFi.

Each question in the game has the same layout which provides you with four possible answers (think Who Wants to be a Millionaire TV show/game). Using a hint reduces your answers from four to two, giving you a 50/50 chance at guessing. If you guess correctly, you move on to the next stage, however if you guess incorrectly, you lose one of your five “lives”.

Once you complete the game or if you lose all your lives before the end, you will be rewarded with a virtual trophy for your accomplishment (look at my epic win below), that is if no one else has a better score than you that has used the app on your iPhone.

Overall, Flipping World does a fantastic job in taking what is usually a boring subject, geography, and makes it a lot of fun. The game includes rhythmical background music, a set of fun sound effects, and really great visuals that make the entire game look like you are working on a notebook, flipping pages effect included!

By this, I give Flipping World a 5 out of 5. If you are looking for an amusing game for yourself or to play with others, I highly recommend Flipping World. It is a fun game for everyone, no matter what age you are!

You can check out Flipping World in the iTunes App Store for $1.99!

Enjoy!

Congrats to the following winners:

Billy Darryn Szoze Adobe Kevin

For the people who didn’t win, you aren’t a loser just quite yet. IM+ with Push is on sale for $4.99 for a ... Read More]]>

Are you using iPhone OS 3.0? If you are, then you must be loving push notifications! Instant messaging definitely benefits from this as you read from my IM+ review. Anyways, IM+ was nice enough to donate five promo codes to iPhoneinCanada.ca readers!

Congrats to the following winners:

Billy
Darryn
Szoze
Adobe
Kevin

For the people who didn’t win, you aren’t a loser just quite yet. IM+ with Push is on sale for $4.99 for a limited time!

Please check your email! You will be receiving an email from SHAPE Services with your promo code–enjoy!

Miniaturizer is a photography tool that allows you to convert your photos into a miniaturized look and feel. In order ... Read More]]>

About a week ago, I reviewed a photography application called TouchART that took your photos and turned them into magnificent works of art. Today, I have a newly released application called Miniaturizer from the same developer that brought you TouchART, EMH Soft.

Miniaturizer by EMH Soft

Miniaturizer is a photography tool that allows you to convert your photos into a miniaturized look and feel. In order to get that miniature effect in most cases, you require an expense camera lens, but with Miniaturizer, you can get that effect right on your iPhone for a fraction of the cost.

I was very impressed by the results of the Miniaturizer app. After you convert your photo, the best viewing results are achieved when you view the original photo and the miniaturized photo side by side. The end result is truly amazing. The best results come from landscape photos, such as photos outside, and photos taken from a bird’s eye view (when possible).

See below for examples of what Miniaturizer can accomplish (original photo is on the left, miniaturized photo is on the right):

The top set of photos are from the developer and are clearly far more epic than mine along the bottom, but you get the idea. As you can see, you can achieve some neat results.

The user interface for the application is very clean. The buttons you need are neatly lined along the bottom of the app (see image above) and the app makes it very easy to produce a miniature effect photo. Below I will list the brief steps required to get your photo from the start to the amazing end:

1. Load an image from your iPhone Photo Album
2. User your finger to select the main focus area that you want (pinch to zoom in/out)
3. Press the Process button and you will get a new photo with the miniature effect (you can use the Contrast Enhancement for better results)
4. Save the new photo to your Photo Album by tapping on the Save button

After a few days of use, there are only two negative aspects about the app. First, the “processing” time to get the photo to convert takes a little while. I was using the app on the iPhone 3GS and my processing time was about 1 minute – 1.5 minutes. I can imagine if you are on an iPhone 3G, this could be even longer. Second, once a photo has been converted, the photo seems unnaturally bright. While this is not the case in every photo, it does happen more often than not.

Overall, I have never seen this type of app before for the iPhone and once I saw the results side by side, I was quite amazed. Miniaturizer works exactly as advertised, comes with a clean interface, and impressed everyone that I showed. Miniaturizer gets a well deserved 5 out of 5.

If Miniaturizer has intrigued you as it has me, you check out Miniaturizer in the iTunes App Store for only $0.99!

Also, here is a tip for the app from the developer to get even better photo results:

• Go up to a higher location and take a bird’s eye view photo. Then use Miniaturizer!

Before we begin however, please take some time to review the notes below as they are very important:

- Do not update to firmware 3.1 if you want to be able to unlock or jailbreak your iPhone/iPod Touch

- The methods listed below can be followed on BOTH a PC or a Mac

- Users experiencing download issues ... Read More]]>

The iPhone 3GS jailbreak and unlock for firmware 3.0 has arrived!

Before we begin however, please take some time to review the notes below as they are very important:

- Do not update to firmware 3.1 if you want to be able to unlock or jailbreak your iPhone/iPod Touch

- The methods listed below can be followed on BOTH a PC or a Mac

- Users experiencing download issues when using Internet Explorer or Safari should use Firefox, as that seems to work fine

- If the 3.0 firmware files download as a .ZIP and are unusable, change the .ZIP extension to .IPSW

- Once again, Do not update to firmware 3.1 if you want to be able to unlock or jailbreak your iPhone/iPod Touch

—————

How To Jailbreak and Unlock the iPhone 3GS on 3.0 Firmware

To jailbreak and/or unlock your iPhone 3GS on the 3.0 firmware and so you can put in your Rogers/Fido SIM card (or any other carrier SIM), follow the steps below:

How to Jailbreak the iPhone 3GS

1.) Download redsn0w 0.8 (a more powerful QuickPwn) for Mac here or Windows here and extract the install file “redsn0w” to a folder.

2.) Download the 3.0 firmware for the iPhone 3GS here.

3.) Put the downloads from Steps 1 and 2 into a single folder together.

4.) Open iTunes and plug your iPhone 3GS in via the USB. Backup your iPhone 3GS if iTunes allows you to.

5.) When iTunes recognizes the iPhone 3GS, click “Check for Updates” in iTunes. This will update your iPhone 3GS with the 3.0 firmware. (If you are already running 3.0, go to Step 7).

Note: If firmware 3.1 has been released, skip step 5. Instead, you must do a restore to 3.0 using the firmware from step 2. On a PC, hold Shift on the keyboard or on a Mac, hold Option on the keyboard, and click “Restore” in iTunes. A window will open. Select the 3.0 firmware from step 2 and then proceed to step 6.

6.) After the update is complete, iTunes will prompt you to Set up a New Device or Restore from Back Up from an existing backup. Choose which ever you want and let iTunes process.

7.) After the processing is complete, keep the iPhone 3GS plugged in via USB. Eject the iPhone 3GS from within iTunes and close iTunes. Turn the iPhone 3GS off and then turn the iPhone 3GS back on.

8.) Open the redsn0w install file and click “Browse”. A window will open. Locate the downloaded 3.0 firmware from Step 2.

9.) Once the firmware is verified, click Next. On the next screen, put a check mark beside Cydia and Icy and then click Next.

10.) Follow the on-screen instructions EXACTLY.

11.) Redsn0w will guide you on how to get your iPhone 3GS into Recovery Mode. Recovery mode can be hard to do, so make sure you follow the steps. If the iPhone 3GS does not get into Recovery Mode, just quit redsn0w and you will have to try again starting from step 7.

12.) After the processing is complete (about 5 – 6 minutes), your iPhone 3GS will be jailbroken. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone 3GS. Turn the iPhone 3GS off and then turn the iPhone 3GS back on.

How to Unlock the iPhone 3GS

1.) Run the Cydia app on your iPhone 3GS running 3.0 firmware and apply all of the prompted updates.

2) Go back into Cydia, tap Search and type in mobilesubstrate. Ensure you are running the latest version. If not, tap Install and then Confirm.

3) Go back into Cydia, tap Manage, Sources, Edit, and Add the repo repo666.ultrasn0w.com.

4.) Select the newly added Repo in the Sources Menu screen and select ‘ultrasn0w’. Then tap Install and then Confirm. After the install, tap Return to Cydia and then push the iPhone Home Button.

5.) Turn the iPhone 3GS off and then turn the iPhone 3GS back on.

—————

If you follow the steps above carefully, you will have success.

Enjoy!

The above guide will be added to a newly updated list of iPod/iPhone jailbreaks/unlocks that I will post soon.

mQuickDo does require a jailbroken iPhone, so this is not an app you can find in the iTunes App Store. You can find it on Cydia however. You may check out my guide on jailbreaking your iPhone here.

I am very sure that ... Read More]]>

As many of you know, July 7 2009 is the day that Rogers Wireless will begin charging for incoming text messages. We observed this change last year with Telus and Bell. What this means is if you have Rogers Wireless service, any incoming text messages that you receive will be billed at $0.15 per text message.

I am very sure that this concerns you, so I will explain the two methods in which you can avoid these extra charges. However, if you choose not to opt for either of the two methods listed below or have not done either of the two methods listed below, then you will simply pay $0.15 per outgoing text message (local) and $0.15 per incoming text message (local).

Please Note: The changes below affect all customers.

1.) Get a Value Pack or Text Message Bundle

The majority of you out there already have a Value Pack or Text Message bundle on your plans. These packs/bundles give you a certain amount of text messages (among other features) to use per month but have unlimited (free) incoming text messages.

So if you are a heavy user of text messaging, it is a no-brainer to get one of these packages. I will list the available ones below:

$5 Messaging Bundle

- 250 sent Text or Picture/Video Messages

- Unlimited received Text or Picture/Video Messages

- $0.15 per additional outgoing text message after 250; $0.50 per additional outgoing picture/video message after 250

—

$10 Messaging Bundle

- 2,500 sent Text Messages

- Unlimited received Text Messages

- $0.15 per additional outgoing message after 2,500

—

$15 Messaging Bundle

- Unlimited sent/received Text Messages

—

$20 Smartphone Value Pack

- Caller Display with Name Display
- Enhanced Voicemail
- WhoCalled Service
- Unlimited sent/received Text Messages
- Unlimited sent/received Picture and Video Messages

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$20 iPhone Visual Voicemail Value Pack

- Caller Display
- Visual Voicemail
- WhoCalled Service
- Unlimited sent/received Text Messages
- Unlimited sent/received Picture and Video Messages

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$35 iPhone Data Value Pack

- Caller Display
- Visual Voicemail
- 500MB of Data
- WhoCalled Service
- Unlimited sent/received Text Messages
- Unlimited sent/received Picture and Video Messages

So if you opt for any of the above packages, you are in the clear and will not receive any additional charges for incoming text messages, so long as you are receiving text messages within Canada (the above packages do not include anything to do with outside of Canada messaging).

Also, if you have any of the above packages, you will not receive charges for any of the following incoming messages:

- Premium text messages
- Voicemail to Text
- Administrative / network messages – i.e. WhoCalled, Voicemail text (free anyway)
- Directory Assistance
- Promotional programs
- MobileMail Email / Instant Messaging

But what if you do not care for text messaging?

2.) Block all Incoming Text Messages

If you do not use text messaging or simply do not care for receiving text messages, then you can call Rogers and have a SOC (pronounced “sock”) Code put on your account. This code will block all incoming text messages.

Block Received Messages SOC Code: “BLKSMSMT”

However, there is a huge word of warning when doing this.

This block prevents ALL received messages from coming through, which includes the following:

- Rogers Network Messages about items such as Roaming

- Rogers administrative messages

- Voicemail Retrieval Numbers

- Message Waiting Indicators

Take note of the last two. To me, this is such unethical business practice on Rogers’ part.

What the last two items mean is if you block incoming text messages, you will not be able to retrieve your voicemail because the Voicemail retrieval number would have been blocked. This number is sent to most, not all, Rogers devices via Text Message and there is no workaround such as entering the number in yourself.

Second, you will not be able to know when you have received voicemails on your device because the Message Waiting Indicator is blocked. The Message Waiting Indicator sends a message to your device to inform you that you have a new voicemail. With the block, that sending cannot occur.

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Do you have a value pack/message bundle on your account? If not, do you plan on getting one?

Let me know of your thoughts and concerns in the comments below.

Effective July 7, 2009, Rogers Wireless will be increasing the rate for sending text messages when you are outside of Canada from $0.60 per message to $0.75 per message.

Please Note: The changes below ... Read More]]>

Number 9 folks! We are up to number 9 in the Rogers pain train (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).

Effective July 7, 2009, Rogers Wireless will be increasing the rate for sending text messages when you are outside of Canada from $0.60 per message to $0.75 per message.

Please Note: The changes below affect all customers.

The current rate per text messaging when you are outside of Canada (using another cellular network) is $0.60 per message (incoming/outgoing). As of July 7, 2009, that rate will now be $0.75 per message (incoming/outgoing).

If you have an international or USA text message plans, it matters not, because those text message packages only cover messages that you send from within Canada to outside of Canada destinations.

Are you going traveling this year outside of Canada? Are you planning on doing a lot of text messaging?

Please note that these plans will be reflective of Fido and there are five sections below detailing individual regions (prices vary between regions):

1.) BC/ALBERTA REGION

2.) MIDWEST REGION

3.) ONTARIO REGION

4.) QUEBEC REGION

5.) ATLANTIC REGION

Note: The below plans only affect new customers signing up for Fido Service. They also affect existing customers changing their price plans.

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