UPDATE: PWNAGE 2.2 is out,
my success in using QUICKPWN 2.2 here.
UPDATE:
PWNAGE 2.2.1 is out also, fixed the bug and I managed to
successfully build a custom firmware!
Recently, I got a hold of a first generation iPhone that has never been unlocked, hacked (PWN'd), Pwnage, and/or ZiPhone'd. Its a "virgin" iPhone which comes with a bone-stock iPhone 2.1 Firmware straight out of Cupertino. Versus, my own first gen. iPhone which has seen different flavors of ZiPhone 1.3, 1.4 all the way to PWNAGE 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2 and even 2.1.
Having my old iPhone's baseband pwn'd makes upgrading to new firmware an easy task. So easy that I did not even realize and I've taken the process for granted (all I had to do is simply press Option-Retore whenever I build a new custom firmware. That is, until I am up to the challenge to getting a custom firmware from PWNAGE 2.1 installed to this virgin iPhone 2.1. All hell breaks loose.
If you found this article because you Googled some combination of the phrases: "pwnage, 2.1, firmware, itunes, unknown, error, (1600)," then I'll cut right to the chase. I saw the same error messages over and over and I could not find any definite information. I just couldn't install the custom firmware in DFU or Recovery Mode. What ended up working for me is the following combination:
1. Practice and get real good at entering your iPhone into the real
DFU mode. Normally it is said to hold power+home for 10 seconds, then let go power button (while still holding down home button) for 10 more seconds and your screen will remain
black while iTunes prompts you an iPhone has been recognized in recovery mode. (If you entered recovery mode, which is not what ou want, the screen will be lit and show a picture of USB cable connecting to iTunes logo). I had a hard time getting my iPhone into DFU mode and
here is the trick I found with iPhones with firmware 2.1 -
IT NO LONGER TAKES 10 SECONDS before you release the power button. If you hold it for that long, you'll notice the apple logo lit up (and you are never suppose to see that logo). By my count, I think its about 8 to 9 seconds. Keep practice a couple of times, and pace your counting. Note when does the apple logo come up and try releasing the power button right before then while holding down home button (this is a very important step for later). If you get your phone stuck in the "Recovery Mode", I've managed to get it back to normal mode or DFU mode, but I can't retrace my exact steps. Its a combination of holding power button for a few seconds to turn screen off, then hold both Power+Home for 8 to 10 seconds and releasing power (much like DFU mode) to get it back to normal mode. I tried about 50 times to do this tonight and I honest forgot all of the steps. Worst case is do a real restore which takes about 10 minutes each time on iTunes 8.0 (some how it won't let me do it via 8.0.1).
2. Download
QuickPwn from the iPhone Dev team blog (1.1 version for mac which is what I used, not sure about the PC version). Get your iPhone to normal mode and launch QuickPwn. Follow on screen instructions as it does its thing (building custom firmware, settings, etc...). When QuickPwn asks to help you get into DFU mode, remember what I said in step one, get good with your own timing to enter DFU mode; QuickPwn still thinks DFU mode requires 10 seconds and if you follow their onscreen que with sound (which can be very distracting if you are doing your own counting up to 8 seconds - I suggest mute your pc speakers and turn your head from the screen while counting) you'll end up taking your phone into Recovery mode which will cost you more time to prime your phone back to step one again. After entering DFU mode successfully with QuickPwn running, you'll be noted that it is now doing its thing to unlock and hack the baseband as well as the firmware on the iPhone.
3. After step two has been completed, I noticed my iPhone is unlocked and I can do whatever I want, except for one thing - get a phone signal for my SIM card (zero bars!). So the natural next step is to launch iTunes and do the ALT-Restore via a custom 2.1 firmware I built with PWNAGE 2.1, and this time, no more error 1600 and after wards, the iPhone works perfectly.
Finding definitive answers on these topics are getting more and more difficult, I knew I was frustrated and just glad I got this new iPhone to work with PWNAGE customer firmware 2.1. I can't guarantee if this will work all the time so good luck to you. And please note that anything you do via custom firmware or hack can potential cause you to brick your iPhone; so please think it through and take your time. Don't panic if something seems to have gone wrong, as for my experience holding down the power+home button in various combination or time generally brings control back again.
[Update: I noticed after pwnage 2.1, the
phone will not awake from sleep mode (when you power off the LCD for more than 30 seconds) causing me to miss calls, more info describing my problem here. The
solution is to run a program called "Insomnia".
Griffin has launched a new folio case which will address this, but for those of us still using the first generation Elan Passport case, this is an easy hack allowing you to prop up the iPad screen to allow for better viewing angle when working with your iPad over a lengthy period of time.
It's been a while since I've played with the PwnageTool (almost 6 months since I've upgraded to a contracted iPhone 3G account). My old iPhone 2G has been kept around just as a glorified iPod Touch. That said, I do miss having Copy and Paste on this old iPhone as well as starting to feel left out when new app updates require firmware 3.0+.
When it comes to managing my contacts, I would say I am pretty obsessed. Because of my iPhones, I've been keeping my Apple Address Book up to date. The reason I am so obsessed with contacts management is because it really gives your smartphone that extra flexibility and reliability when you are on the go; as you are out and about, its absolutely important to have a person's phone, email or address handy and maximize your smartphone's built-in function to call, send mail and pin point their GPS destinations.
Palm Pre has been out and about for less than 2 months and there are already two ways you can download and install 3rd party applications right onto your device (hint: unsanctioned by Palm). Method 1 is more traditional which requires you to download an application to your PC, Mac or Linux desktop for a drag and drop install onto your Pre; method 2 goes as far as a straight download and install right from your handset. This reminds me of the days when jailbroken 3rd party apps were the hottness on the iPhone community. More info here.
Material:
Fascinated by GeekMorgan, the dude who made his own custom iPhone 3G GameBoy case, I decided to review the Agent18 Slim ClearShield iPhone 3G case myself (Amazon $23 shipped). For those of you unfamiliar with Agent18, they are a small firm based out of SoCal making pretty cool accessories for iPhones, iPods and even Zune products.
The Slim ClearShield has a pretty basic two-piece sandwich design holding the iPhone 3G in the middle. Ever since an incident I've had with my Griffin ClearBoost coming apart after I dropped my old iPhone to the ground, I have been preferring the slider-style cases (ie. Griffin Clarifi, Incase Slider, etc...). Agent18 Slim ClearShield, however, has a pretty sturdy clip design holding the two halves together nicely; as a safety, I did affix very small strips of clear tape to support the corners for added holding strength. Overall, the case is very easy to use, it comes with a screen protector, iPhone 3G dock adaptor (so you can use OEM dock to charge w/ the case on, very smart!) and two other Agent18 swapable badges (light gray and 
green colored). The cutouts are large for easy access even if you have fat fingers. With the case installed, your iPhone will remain its classy appearance without adding too much bulk to its overall dimension.
If you want to listen to your iPod or fast forward a song on your iPhone (persumably iPod Touch too) when your device's screen is locked, there is a quick way to get access. Simply double-click your 'home' button twice, your iPhone will prompt a simple control UI for you to pause, forward or backward select your MP3. Sure beats sliding the unlock bar and hit the iPod icon, etc...
As reported couple of days ago, one of my Pwn'd iPhone 2.1 just wouldn't ring once it goes into sleep or standby mode. The condition is when you hit the power switch to shut off the LCD, give it a minute then try calling your own number with a different phone, the iPhone would not ring. As soon as you hit the power or home button, it will either start ringing or if you ended your call prior it will tell you have missed a call. I found a good number of people complaining about this issue so I am going to assume its a software/hardware incompatibility bug, not just a hardware failure.
[Update: 11/7/2008: Griffin's Clarifi iPhone 3G case has a built-in lens cover to enhance macro-shots at the distance of 4-6" from an object. I've gotten my hands on them for a good review here.]
Lets say you are on a road trip for a couple of days with a freshly charged smartphone and realized you have forgotten the charger at home. If you are not in a position where you have to make a lot of calls; here are ten ways you can stretch the battery life on the go. While some phones may have other settings you can tweak, these generic instructions should help with all smart phones across the board:
In the past few days, I've had the chance to help three different people unlocking their iPhones using the famous ZiPhone 3.0. Twice w/ Mac version and once w/ PC version and all have been successful. The creator Zibri is nothing short of a genius for producing a perfect 1-click unlocking solution on both computing platforms. I am still pretty amazed at how fast (ie. 5 minutes) it is to unlock, activate and jailbreak the iPhones...
Most tech affiliate marketing sites have picked up this offer: AT&T Wireless store has the refurbished iPhones 8GB and 16GB back in stock for $249 and $349 respectively. The last time this was available, I remembered the stock was cleared out within hours. Truth is, at $249, you are to picking up a state-of-the-art music/media player/phone/internet appliance. This is a pretty good deal. Even a Nokia N800 is going to set you back a cool $200 with less to offer. I also remembered that Apple Store online used to sell refurb 8GB iPhone for $349.
I must have been living in a cave or something, apparently, there is a famous hack for Tmobile customers to sign up for a $5.99 unlimited data WAP/T-Zone plan and turn it into the full-on internet package ($19.99 value) allowing full HTTP/HTTPS and IM access.