Keeping up with the thrill-a-minute world of online news is tricky: by the time you write something, it’s pretty much out of date. So I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised to see, only moments after I posted a story about how to unlock your iPhone via hardware, a vastly similar software-based solution to the same exact problem.
The team over at iPhoneSIMfree.com has been working on finding a way to unlock the iPhone that doesn’t require cracking open the case and messing with soldering irons, and they appear to have succeeded. Their website claims that their tool will allow you to use any SIM card for any provider in any country. Sounds like a dream come true, doesn’t it?
The software will be commercially available in the near future, and currently iPhoneSIMfree.com is offering trials of its software to some publications, including blogs like Engadget. Rest assured, we’ll be keeping an eye on this as it developers, and will endeavor to bring you whatever information we can find.
[Image via Engadget]
Awesome. US consumers can now use T-Mobile's remarkably crappy network. Of course, there's no amount of hacking that will allow the iPhone to work with Verizon and Sprint since it's not a CDMA phone.
If we took all of this collective hacking wisdom and actually did something useful with it, we'd have a prosperous colony on Mars by now.
"iPhoneSIMfree.com is offering trials of its software to some publications, including blogs like Engadget. Rest assured, we'll be keeping an eye on this as it developers..."
Are you saying that iPhoneSIMfree wouldn't give this esteemed publication the software or that no one at iPhone Central wants to try it on their own iPhone? :)
Any one know if it is possible to use verizon? ( they don't use IM cards )
@Knowlton: It won't work with Verizon, because their phones use a technology called CDMA, which is different from the GSM standard used by AT&T, T-Mobile, and many other wireless providers around the world.
I am sure by now you all have seen George Hotz blog and how he unlocked his iphone, we are looking for suppliers of unlocked iPhones. If anyone is interested in taking up this venture please email me at Dave@unlockedapplephone.com
We would love to sell your unlocked iPhones on our website http://www.unlockedapplephone.com
Apple will stick with GSM networks (Sorry Verizon users). Europe was way ahead over North America in digital networking. North America now is catching up, but *everyone* in Europe is on a GSM network. So, GSM in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Russia etc... makes the choice easy, no?
Next time you rush out to get some technology, look first what's already out there and where it is used the most so you do not get stuck in a proprietary technology.
I know it is simple to say, "Well, I will never roam to Europe, so I will not get GSM...". Doesn't mean because you won't you should not look...
PS, I am from Canada, for years the only GSM network was Fido. Others had to get a loaner handset to go to europe or rent. Just that made me go Fido from the first years even if I did not travel... it's just I did not want to close down doors should I ever travel.
I am wondering if Apple or AT&T are going to stop them... I believe that selling a software for doing that is against the law, so let's see how long before AT&T or Apple is going to bring them down.
Anyway, I think that when the iPhone is going to ship in Europe and then other countries, the deal with AT&T may change.
Yes AT&T will still have the exclusive right in the U.S, but since probably T-mobile in Germany will have the deal with Apple, I can see some major push to get the same kind of deal for the US -even why not T-Mobile paying AT&T to break the deal... who knows.
Steve
http://www.inewsonly.com
The first ZUI news aggregator for iPhone
This is just a thought I had this morning. Is there a chance the
iphone is dual gsm and cdma since apple went to verizon first? Just
like the blackberry 8830 is. Has anyone tried a sprint or verizon
8830 sim in an unlocked iphone yet to just see i that would work?
Thanks
@Michelle: Unfortunately, no. :) Courtesy of the mad scientists who've dissected the iPhone, we know that there's just the GSM radio in there.
Do you know if somebody can install CDMA software to transform iPhone from GSM to CDMA, I know that is so easy in anothers phones, you can find the software to dowland in any tech web page..
Thanks.
}: ~ ( I cannot stand being told I have to change cell phone carriers in order to purchase an iPhone. }: ~ ( But I refuse to change cell phone carriers in order to purchase it, especially to AT&T. Verizon Wireless is the only carrier that has decent service and been with Verizon Wireless for even years. It should be about time for Verizon to listen to their customers on the iPhone. Verizon Wireless customers are done waiting for the iPhone. Waiting for the iPhone is too long for Verizon Wireless customers, and we can not wait to buy an iPhone until at the earliest 2009. It would be very nice to get the iPhone on Verizon Wireless some time in 2008.
Hi,
any idea if there any softwares to crack the Blackberry 8830 world edition? The service providers in India are selling it at Rs. 34,000 = $850 approx. whereas service providers in US are selling it at $199..I'd prefer buying one from US & unlocking it to use in India..
Thanks..