Happy New Year! Apple iPhone 3G To Be Unlocked
Basically, the hack, codenamed yellowsn0w, will enable iPhone users to tweak their iPhones for use on GSM networks and bypass the AT&T exclusivity the smartphone carries in the U.S. Here, that means the unlock will make an iPhone work on T-Mobile's network. However, since GSM is widely used overseas, international iPhoners and users who frequently travel will get the biggest benefit by having a host of carriers to choose from.
According to the iPhone Dev team's announcement, the target release date for the unlock is New Year's Eve, 2008; the unlock method is available to iPhone 3Gs that have 2.11.07 baseband or earlier; the unlock requires a jailbroken iPhone 3G; and the unlock will be installed via Cydia, meaning both Mac and PC users can take advantage. The team also warned iPhone users to "refrain from updating your baseband, regardless what version you're at," and promised complete directions for the hack on Dec. 31.
The group also vowed to stream live video of the unlock some time before Christmas.
The crew claims the unlock is completed and "is currently being packaged into a user-friendly application with the simplicity that you see in QuickPwn or BootNeuter."