Elisa Will Start Selling Unlocked iPhone 4s on September 30th

Elisa, a large operator here in Finland, just announced on their site that they will soon get the iPhone 4! This is the first time that you can buy an unlocked iPhone here in Finland.TeliaSonera (TeleFinland and Sonera) has previously been the only operator to sell any iPhones, and they’ve always sold them locked to their network. Now with Elisa, we will get the first carrier unlocked phones.

iPhone 2G, Firmware 3.1.2(7D11) and Pwnage 3.1.4

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+.

Reading the latest updates from the awesome iPhone Dev team, looks like Pwnage 3.1.4 for Mac is rocking out and pwn'ing the latest 3.1.2 firmware with ease. According to their blog post, previously unlocked iPhones doesn't even have to enter the dreaded DFU mode.

I simply grabbed the Pwnage tool 3.1.4 and build a custom firmware based on the latest 3.1.2 (7D11) for the original iPhone (2G) and Option-Restored the custom firmware within iTunes onto my iPhone. Since I am not using this iPhone any longer for phone calls or data plan, so long as it has the latest firmware and supports a few apps here and there, its good enough for me. Again, this old iPhone is not functioning as a basic iPod Touch for me.

Unlocked iPhones (3G, 3G[s]) at MobileCityOnline

If you have to get a brand new iPhone 3G or 3GS unlocked and contract free, you can always go to another country or buy it from unknown source off of eBay. Then, there is the option of buying one directly from one of the most popular unlocked handset reseller in the U.S., Mobile City Online!

Right now, they've got iPhone 3G and 3GS in different color as well as capacity, prices are high but then again you are buying a brand new, unlocked iPhone from a trustworthy shop:

iPhone 3G 16GB - $829/$799 (Black/White)
iPhone 3GS 16GB - $999 (Black or White)
iPhone 3GS 32GB - $1299 (Black or White)

Again, these prices are stiff but you don't have to do any unlock yourself and these are contract free. Checkout my in person visit to Mobile City @NYC last year.

How to unlock your iPhone 3G (3.0 Firmware)

Disclaimer: 1). I haven't tried this myself, 2). This guide is application for original iPhone, iPhone 3G running on firmware 3.0.

Unlocking and jailbreaking an iPhone can be intimedating and scary at times. While the iPhone Dev Team kicks ass in writing hacking software, they aren't always the best in documenting the process to free your iPhone or iPhone 3G. Gizmodo published a handy step-by-step guide to show you how it can be done. Personally, I found the two step (redsn0w via app + ultrasn0w via browser) combination a bit unique. Essentially, for this round, instead of jailbreaking AND unlocking your device at once, they break it up into two separate steps.

As always, there is no garantee it will work so take your time and good luck!

Buy.com Selling Unlocked iPhone 3G Legit Version?

I stumbled across a posting on one of my fav tech affiliate site, techbargains.com, and saw this few minutes ago. Upon clicking through buy.com's website, it looks like for $799 you can have a 16GB iPhone 3G unlocked or "never-locked". According to site description, you can continue to get full software updates via iTunes and won't have to worry about being locked. I am not sure what is the story with this iPhone 3G but leaning towards one of two theories:
1). Apple is trying to unload iPhone 3G inventories to make room for a possible new release in the Summer
2). Buy.com got a hold of some iPhone 3Gs unlocked from some countries which is required by law to have unlocked phones (i.e. Australia, Hong Kong, etc...)

Any ideas?

Unlock iPhone 3G w/ YellowSn0w NOW

Wow, the iPhone Dev Team just released the unlock tool for your iPhone 3G. I haven't tried it yet but note that it is now available. Good luck and thanks to the iPhone Dev team members for their tremednous work!

Yellowsn0w Update From iPhone Dev Team, Soon Released

iPhone Dev team released some notes about an hour ago on the upcoming release of iPhone 3G unlock application known as the "yellowsn0w". Apparently, the latest unlock will work with firmware 2.2 (with baseband 02.28). It will require you to upgrade via iTunes then simply use QuickPwn to do its job. The only problem now is for you to acquire a reasonably cost iPhone 3G w/o a contract. Head over to this post to checkout some notes like known issues and etc...

No YellowSn0w for iPhone 3G Unlock Tonight

The iPhone Dev Team let us know that not to waste your valuable celebration and drinking time tonight and will let the world know when the yellowsn0w (yellowsnow) for iPhone 3G unlock becomes available. Happy New Year everyone!

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).