Yay! iPhone Dev Team have released the long awaited iPhone 3G Unlock, ultrasn0w! Just like yellowsn0w, ultrasn0w unlocks your iPhone 3G.

How to install:

1. Ensure you have upgraded to iPhone OS 3.0
2. Jailbreak your iPhone 3G using redsn0w or PwnageTool (this will also install Cydia/Icy)
3. Run Cydia or Icy
4. Please add the repo repo666.ultrasn0w.com to Cydia or icy
5. Search for ‘ultrasn0w’ in cydia or icy and install ultrasn0w
6. Reboot your iPhone 3G
7. T-Mobile USA users should disable 3G before using ultrasn0w
8. Enjoy

Simple enough, ey? Well, go on! Unlock your iPhone 3G!

Note: This will NOT unlock nor work with the iPhone 3G S

- source: blog.iphone-dev.org

Update: The iPhone Dev Team have updated Redsn0w to 0.7.2 - Download the newest version from our iPhone Downloads section:
redsn0w 0.7.2 for Mac OS X download
redsn0w 0.7.2 for Windows download

iPhone Dev Team has released an application that works similar to quickpwn and provides similar functionality. Redsn0w is an easy to use, multi-platform, multi-device jailbreaking and unlocking (iPhone 2G only) tool for the iPhone 2G (original iPhone), the iPhone 3G (but not the 3GS) and also the iPod touch (first and second generation). Luckily for Windows users, who couldn’t use PwnageTool, Redsn0w is available for both Windows and Mac OS X users. However, iPhone Dev Team notes that there are some issues using redsn0w with OS X PPC and they suggest you use an Intel Mac till these issues are resolved.

1. GOLDEN RULE: If you are using a 3G iPhone with yellowsn0w and rely on yellowsn0w to obtain cellular service, then you should NOT use redsn0w right now. Ultrasn0w (the 3G carrier unlock) is not included with this release and therefore your baseband will be locked and unable to use an operator other than the official one it was bought for. UltraSn0w will be released via APT (cydia and icy) soon. If you have an original iPhone (1st generation) then 3.0 carrier unlock works with this redsn0w release.
2. Yellowsn0w in its current form will NOT work with the baseband version that is present in the 3.0 update, you will need Ultrasn0w, which will be released sometime soon, Ultrasn0w will work with all iPhone 3G models (but not 3GS), even ones that were previously unlockable, Ultrasn0w (when available) will be released via APT (this means you will be able to get it via Cydia or Icy).
3. Please read all parts of this post before downloading and using these tools.
4. Read items 1, 2 and 3 again and again.
5. This app is suitable for the recent 3.0 release
6. redsn0w will NOT work for the iPhone 3GS.
7. redsn0w WILL work for Original iPhone (1st Generation), Original iPod touch, iPod touch 2G and the iPhone 3G (not the iPhone 3GS).

Redsn0w is easy to use, simply upgrade the device in iTunes to firmware version 3.0 and run redsn0w to activate and jailbreak the device (and if you are using an original iPhone 2G, it will unlock it too!)

Redsn0w download:
redsn0w for windows download
redsn0w for Mac OS X download

*Note*: there are some issues using redsn0w with OS X PPC, please use an Intel Mac while the iPhone Dev Team fixes these issues

- source: blog.iphone-dev.org

Update: If you currently have an iPhone on a contract then you will not be eligible for a standard iPhone upgrade - bummer. You will, however, be eligible for a full retail price upgrade (Prices below).

• $499.00USD — 8GB iPhone 3G (black)
• $599.00USD — 16GB iPhone 3G S (black or white)
• $699.00USD — 32GB iPhone 3G S (black or white)

WWDC was awesome this year ’round. Apple has announced a new iPhone. Say hello to the iPhone 3GS! The fastest and most powerful iPhone yet.

As you can see, the iPhone 3GS looks exactly the same as the current shipping iPhone 3G, the rumored iPhone 3GS leaked pictures were completely fake. The iPhone 3GS will come in 2 models - 16GB and 32GB.

What about features?

• 3 megapixel Camera - Autofocus - Tap to focus -Video recording
• Improved performance
• Built-in video camera with editing
• Voice Control - Voice Dial and Control the iPod
• Compass - you can tap to go right into Maps, and if you tap a second time it will orient the map to where you’re facing
• Cut, Copy, and Paste - Comes with iPhone OS 3.0
• MMS - Comes with iPhone OS 3.0
• Spotlight Search - Comes with iPhone OS 3.0
• Voice Memos - Comes with iPhone OS 3.0

Battery life:

• Talk time: Up to 5 hours on 3G - Up to 12 hours on 2G
• Standby time: Up to 300 hours
• Internet use: Up to 5 hours on 3G Up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi
• Audio playback: Up to 30 hours on audio
• Video playback: Up to 10 hours of video

Apple is being very aggressive with pricing, the iPhone 3G will stay and will sell for $99USD for 8GB model and the new iPhone 3GS will sell for an amazing $199USD for the 16GB model and $299USD for the 32GB model. And it will be available to buy June 19th! So get ready to go stay in line.

- source: store.apple.com

Engadget reports that the Apple US online store is now shipping iPhone 3Gs directly to your front door. Before, they didn’t offer any direct shipments, they only supported pre-qualifying your credit for an AT&T contract. iPhone 3Gs were only available in retail stores when buying from Apple, however, AT&T offered the iPhone 3G via its retail stores and online store. Seems now Apple is joining that boat and offering direct shipments of everyone’s favorite device.

Apparently, this new distribution method is only available for new AT&T customers, while existing AT&T customers will have to pick up their iPhones at local Apple or AT&T retail stores. New customers are taken through a series of screens in which they must submit their enter their billing address to allow AT&T to run a credit check, select their rate plan, and either reserve an iPhone for pickup at a local Apple store or complete the purchase and have the iPhone shipped directly to them.

- source: engadget.com

Ahh, gotta love new updates coming to the iPhone OS 3.0 Beta and then finding out iTunes 8.2 might have Blu-Ray support. Yeah, finally Blu-Ray support coming to iTunes and long awaited Mac. Pretty awesome.

As of right now, there’s no mention of new features on Beta 4 of the iPhone OS 3.0 but I’m sure there’s great new fixes and a much much more stable beta.

Over at Macrumors, one of their forum posters discovered that iTunes 8.2 Pre-Release refers to Blu-Ray Data, of course, suggesting that the final release of iTunes 8.2 will fully support Blu-Ray discs.

You may be thinking, why blu-ray support on iTunes? Well, I have an idea on why blu-ray would be great, and thats for backing up your iTunes purchases. (Yes, I do buy stuff from iTunes) Before, you would be able to back up onto CDs and DVDs and now, hopefully, you’ll be able to back up onto Blu-Ray discs assuming, of course, you have a blu-ray burner. What do you guys think on the idea of Blu-Ray support coming to iTunes? Good idea? Bad Idea? Let us know in the comments!

- source: macrumors.com

Apple has added 3 new iPhone ads to their iPhone Ad Gallery. One ad, named ‘Itchy‘ shows apps that would be used while in nature:

• Compass Go [$1.99USD - iTunes Link]
• iBird Explorer Plus [$19.99USD - iTunes Link]
• How To Videos from Howcast.com [Free - iTunes Link]

‘Office‘ shows apps for use in sales transactions:

• Credit Card Terminal - [$49.99USD - iTunes link]
• Print & Share - [$6.99USD - iTunes Link]
• FedEx Mobile for iPhone - [Free - iTunes Link]

‘Student‘ shows three apps for college life:

• Apartments - [Free]
• SnapTell - [Free]
• Photogene - [$2.99USD]

View the iPhone ads at the source link.

- source: apple.com

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple Retail stores are now selling the iPhone 3G with no contract commitment! Awesome, right? Well, Awesome for those who can afford a $599 8GB model and $699 16GB model. These prices are extremely steep, and probably neither AT&T or Apple will see these selling like IHOP Pancakes.

Surprisingly, Apple’s offer comes with less restrictions than AT&T’s offer. Apple isn’t limiting the sales to one per customer like AT&T is and isn’t requiring that purchasers be current AT&T customers.

While the phones are still technically locked to AT&T service, it is possible (but not supported) to unlock the phones for use with other mobile service providers. In the US, that is largely limited to T-Moble and Metro PCS, although both GSM providers do not support the 3G network the iPhone 3G needs to connect at faster than EDGE speeds.

So, there you go, If you got $600 or $700 to throw down for a commitment free iPhone 3G this is your best bet and then hack it with some awesome iPhone 3G Hacks!

A developer has managed to hack his way into getting USB tethering to work on the recently release iPhone 3.0 beta - He claims he was “hacking around” with some carrier bundle files and iPhone 3.0 and somehow managed to activate the tethering preferences, that’s some epic iPhone Hacks! Not only is that epic but he was successful on tethering his iPhone 3G to his laptop! If you don’t know what tethering is, it’s a feature that allows you to share your iPhone’s internet connection with your laptop, but has not been allowed up until iPhone 3.0

Based on the images above, it appears you’ll not only have the options for USB Tethering but also bluetooth! Pretty awesome, eh? Sadly, the developer doesn’t know what he did exactly to enable this feature. Very sad, indeed. Apple had admitted tethering capabilities were built in into the iPhone 3.0 firmware but had not yet coordinated with mobile carriers. Very clever iPhone 3G Hacks and developer!

- source: macrumors.com

Engadget is reporting that Apple will be hosting a media event on Tuesday, March 17th to demonstrate iPhone OS 3.0, the next major upgrade to the iPhone OS (firmware). Apple will also provide details on the new SDK (Software Development Kit) to help developers in creating applications for the new operating system.

Apple’s calling this an “advance preview of what we’re building,” so we’re not expecting anything ready to go as of the 17th, but hopefully this will allow developers to start building toward future functionality (hey, how about some push notifications?), and presumably users won’t have too many months to wait after that for the real deal.

Apple previously hosted a media event for iPhone’s “roadmap” and it appears this upcoming event will follow the same theme. The event is scheduled for 10 AM Pacific in the Town Hall auditorium on the company’s campus in Cupertino, CA.

- source: engadget.com

A voice navigation GPS app for the iPhone has been in huge demand by a lot of people including myself. Well, like 90% of the time, an unofficial iPhone developer has developed what Apple hasn’t — xGPS — It features voice navigation — sounds like Steve Hawkings is giving you directions to your destination — but it works. You can download a specific area from Google Maps from the application to be used offline or to be used where you wont have internet access - awesome, right?

From the limited tests I’ve done, I can safely say this app kicks ass! It works really good. It’s pretty stable and it’s pretty accurate. Sometimes you’re driving down a street and then the application tells you you’re going the wrong way when you’re not and it can get pretty annoying but after a few seconds it corrects itself. The voice nav works but its a little hard to understand. I wish it had Mac OS X’s Alex voice which sounds awesome and like a real person talking, but it doesn’t perhaps in future version of xGPS. - Overall, this is an awesome application that’s worth having for any iPhone 3G user (or iPhone 2G user)

There’s also a desktop application to download the maps to your pc/mac and to view the GPX data

xGPS is available in Cydia and it’s free! yes, free.

- source: xgps.xwaves.net