iPhone 3G will be Unlocked by Dec 31, 2008

Yes, the awesome iPhone Dev Team just announced that they are packaging their amazing quickpwn tool for iPhone 3G unlock on New Year's Eve. Those with virgin iPhone 3G will need to jailbreak it first. The Dev Team warned about not upgrading the baseband beyond 2.11.07 (which means if you upgraded your iPhone 3G via iTunes to firmware 2.2, you might be out of luck).

Hours away from PWNAGE 2.0.2 (for iPhone 2.0.1 Firmware)

'Nuff said...

iPhone Dev Team Releases iPhone 3G Unlock

I was skeptical at first because I don't visit their blog often but tonight I saw a post from 2 hours ago that said "Here you go". I tried downloading but its mad slow. This is pretty crazy. Other news online confirmed its true.

Pwnage is not really a hack, more of a customized 2.0 firmware that unlocks and jailbreaks the iPhone 2.0 firmware. I've never tried this before.

As more Unlocked Phones Become Available, is the Game Changing?

Last week, I read about BestBuy.com to start selling HTC Touch Dual unlocked to its web customers. I went to Bestbuy.com and found a dedicated a space they are using to educate consumers about buying unlocked phones and its ability to work with different telecoms. While unlocked phones on the page are limited in quantity (18 available online at time of writing), it is still a noteworthy movement. Lately, I've noticed consumers now have more places to buy unlocked phones (ie. Amazon.com, Buy.com, MobileCity, etc.) and it may be a shift in trend and mobile knowledge for U.S. consumers.

For far too long, have the U.S. mobile market been locked. We, as the consumers, were never educated about the intricate relationship between SIM Cards, GSM phones, locked or unlocked and roaming vs using other network SIM. Whilst in Asia and Europe, consumers have always known and purchased unlocked phones since the beginning. It is all part of our telecoms' master plan, by keeping things simple, subsidized and locked; it removed many unnecessary Q&As about how all of this works. Just sign on a dotted line, pay a couple of bucks for a subsidized phone and you are off to chat and text away with your friends with a contract for the next 12 months (in the beginning) and 24 months (today). When asked about traveling to foreign lands or out of network area, they tell you that roaming charge will conveniently take care of your needs. After all, why benefit the consumers with knowledge that can save money by inserting a pre-paid SIM to an unlocked phone while on international land?

But going back on topic, there seems to be more unlocked phones within reach. With the simple economics of supply and demand, there must be a growing demand in buying unlocked phones. All of this demand may have been heightened by the infamous AT&T iPhone debacle where people finally realized how much of a hassle it is to have a locked phone working only under a 2-year contract (new or extension) an exclusive carrier. In the interest of wanting to get an iPhone unlocked, consumers may have inadvertently learned about how phones worked or should work. Hence more interest in unlocked phones in the marketplace.

So what does this mean regarding to the future of the U.S. mobile market? Probably nothing drastic; the benefit is that consumers will have more access in buying unlocked handsets of their choice; however this would come at the cost of paying full un-subsidized price for the phone. For those interested in paying close to nothing for a "branded" and "locked" phone, they will continue to sign on the dotted line for a 2 year contract. For those who value the freedom
of an unlocked phone w/o a contract, they will just have to pay full price for that mobile experience. Afterall, freedom is never free.

PS - Anyone interested in unlocking their contracted, subsidized phone can request their carrier to provide unlocking instructions. Generally speaking, if you've been a good standing customer for more than three months, your carrier would be willing to unlock it for you, I usually explain that my traveling requirements throughout Asia is the reason why I needed my phone unlocked, and they are usually very cool about it!

Mobile Experience in Asia: US Mobile Int Calling Demystified

I've been keen in unlocking every one of my GSM phones because of one simple reason: ability to use it internationally. Before leaving the country with my unlocked N95-3, I phoned AT&T to be certain on my usability and cost:

1. For starters, I was told that being on a plan for small business, my account is currently activated for international calling (somehow I got enrolled in the small biz program and the response rate and customer service has been superb, I think its because of that small biz connection).

2. For the voice calling cost, you can visit here or call AT&T to verify. As for me, the cost to call in Taiwan is going to be $1.99/min and when I travel to Indonesia next week, it will cost me $3.99/min. There are international calling plans available, but I am not planning on using the phone unless its necessary, so I am not looking to paying for such a plan.

3. For data plan and SMS Text, they will usually charge you per use. I am not planning on using any data plan while traveling, so I did not check on the cost. As for SMS, it goes to $0.50 per message.

As a general caution, be sure to turn of any data sync ability, to prevent being charged for data used unintentionally (ie. push email, or any other third party app running). As for voice calling cost, I would advise turning off your phone unless you need to use it. Leaving it on can accrue unintended cost as well, ie. your friends from back home could try to call you not knowing you are not in the states.

HTC 7501 - $855 Later, no 3G (corrected, yes 3G)

For those interested in the ultimate smartphone bad-boy HTC Advantage 7501, you can now pick on up at Amazon.com for a mere $855. This phone is pretty crazy, fully loaded with WM6 Professional, GPS, 5" LCD resolution, 8GB flash storage w/ miniSD expansion, Wi-Fi, laptop-styled design w/ full QWERTY keyboard... however, for $855... the 3G support is Euro-spec WCDMA 2100. Currently, AT&T is only supporting 850/1900.

PS - For the life of me, I can't find the spec for its LCD's resolution... I'd like to hope that it is VGA at the very least.

Update: As pointed out by "Get Some Hairapy!" in the comment section, this phone does have US 3G support. Amazon.com description is incorrect. HTC website indicates global 3G support (WCDMA 2100 and 850/1900MHz) and the screen is indeed VGA. Thanks!

How to Unlock your Smartphone?

I’ve had a series of smartphones throughout the past years (BB 7100t, BB8700c, HTC Hermes/8525 and now N95). Each and everyone of it, I’ve been successfully unlock them legitimately and without paying anyone or going through some online services. That is not to say that those online services are not trustworthy, it’s just that if you have a legitimate phone/contract with any carrier, they will very likely unlock for you upon your request.

In all of my scenarios, I ususally wait about 1 to 2 months into my contract. Then I simply place a call with customer service explaining hat my personal traveling would require the need to unlock the phone. It helps if you can identify a country or just have a casual chat with the rep about your vacation plans. 9 out of 10 are very understanding and would be willing to help you with your request. In the recent years, AT&T would put in a request for me and email me the instructions about 3 days later (even though they claim it could take up to 10 business days).

Tip! I would unlock any phone that belongs to you. It is your rights to be able to use your phone with any carrier (this is more applicable to GSM phones). I’ve done so with many phones in the past with the same method. They’ve all been successful.

Nokia N95-3 for $499 at Amazon.com

Cheapest offer ever! Amazon.com has the unlocked N95-3 for US 3G at $499 shipped free (no tax in some states). Only one catch, they don't have them in stock (see the side option, to buy from Amazon.com only, not a 3rd party vendor). So if you don't mind the wait. Otherwise, Buy.com has the same phone in-stock for a mere $16 more, free shipping as well.

PS - Pickup a 4GB MicroSDHC for around $30 while you are at it. You'll thank me later. (This Kingston SDHC card works despite Nokia claim of supporting only up to 2GB)

Update (1/31) - Amazon.com has the Silver/Bronze N95-3 in stock for $499 shipped.
Update (2/4) - Amazon.com now has the Silver/Black N95-3 in stock for $499 shipped.

Amazon.com Sells "Unlocked" Cellphones

Amazon.com has long been a great site offering excellent prices to buy cell phones. What I didn't realize until tonight, was that they have a section called "unlocked" phones.

For those who are not familiar, the phone you purchased from a carrier is always locked to that carrier. I would guess majority of users do not bother to unlock the phone even though you have the rights to (so long as you have the patience to call your carrier and request that unlock pin and instruction). If you are halfway through a 24 month contract but you are growing tired of your current phone, you really don't have a lot of choices but to go to your carrier and buy another phone at full retail. Occasionally, you can find a decent "unlocked" phone from another carrier floating around eBay. An unlocked phone allows you to use it on another network; for example, my unlocked Blackberry 8700c from Cingular can be used with a T-Mobile SIM card.

Back to my point, Amazon.com has a section selling some interesting unlocked phones. Some of which looks like they are imported directly from the manufacturers (where the design, color and name is vastly differently than the lineup you see at your local Cingular or Verizon store). I for one, am very pleased to find this as it has been an ongoing challenge for me to find a unlocked phone vendor in the U.S. Kudos to Amazon!