Apple releases new iPhone 2.1 beta as crackers break 2.0.1
Apple has issued a third beta of its iPhone 2.1 upgrade but is being characteristically secretive with details of what it changes. Simultaneously, however, the just-launched 2.0.1 firmware has already been cracked to allow unofficial apps.
Beta 3 of the upcoming iPhone firmware makes no specific mention of new additions and, upon early inspection by those familiar with the update, primarily resolves bugs from earlier builds.
The fix nonetheless comes just a week and a half after the release of beta 2 and indicates a short turnaround schedule for Apple's test releases, which started on July 24th.
The 2.1 refresh is expected to center around the background push notification service that allows live apps to receive Internet data while shut down, but will also have directional GPS support that enables more complex navigation than the simple positional system used with 2.0.
Those not content to wait for official Apple software solutions, however, now have their own update.
The iPhone Dev Team's PwnageTool 2.0.2 allows users to jailbreak any iPhone running the recent 2.0.1 firmware that appears to have broken previous hacks.
Like earlier builds, however, full unlocking to enable support for unofficial cellular carriers is limited to original iPhones due to a change in the cellular baseband with the 3G hardware, which prevents the previous trick from working.
As always, these tools carry the risk of bricking the iPhone's firmware and have no support from Apple either during or after the install process.
Beta 3 of the upcoming iPhone firmware makes no specific mention of new additions and, upon early inspection by those familiar with the update, primarily resolves bugs from earlier builds.
The fix nonetheless comes just a week and a half after the release of beta 2 and indicates a short turnaround schedule for Apple's test releases, which started on July 24th.
The 2.1 refresh is expected to center around the background push notification service that allows live apps to receive Internet data while shut down, but will also have directional GPS support that enables more complex navigation than the simple positional system used with 2.0.
Those not content to wait for official Apple software solutions, however, now have their own update.
The iPhone Dev Team's PwnageTool 2.0.2 allows users to jailbreak any iPhone running the recent 2.0.1 firmware that appears to have broken previous hacks.
Like earlier builds, however, full unlocking to enable support for unofficial cellular carriers is limited to original iPhones due to a change in the cellular baseband with the 3G hardware, which prevents the previous trick from working.
As always, these tools carry the risk of bricking the iPhone's firmware and have no support from Apple either during or after the install process.
Comments
I went from an unlocked 2.0 iPhone to 2.0.1 without restoring it, and it's still unlocked and working on my carrier (not O2). Apple may like the money I'm giving them (30%) through all the apps I'm buying after all.
That's my point exactly, they are in a position that "bricking" the phones would cost them more than they'd gain. Unless of course the bricking is being done on principle.
I've spent nearly 200 in the App Store to date and I think they'd be foolish to stop me from giving them money. Hell, if Apple would just unlock my phone I'd have no need or desire to Jailbreak.
If someone doesn't want to be confined, then they don't have to buy the iPhone. There are certain advantages that come from being locked or having the App Store: at least everything is checked once before going on your machine. No spyware will get on.
Hope 2.1 improves Japanese input. It is slow, even for me. The wife is going crazy; she now has started using her old phone again for email.
That's my point exactly, they are in a position that "bricking" the phones would cost them more than they'd gain. Unless of course the bricking is being done on principle.
I've spent nearly 200 in the App Store to date and I think they'd be foolish to stop me from giving them money. Hell, if Apple would just unlock my phone I'd have no need or desire to Jailbreak.
Not principle. Legal. AT&T contract requires it.
Please, no more features. Fix what's already there.
Why, did you expect new features in 2.1? I didn't.
Please, no more features. Fix what's already there.
This I agree with 100%! I updated my 3G to 2.0.1 and it actually seems worst software wise. Calendar seems to be more broken and nothing was done with Mail. Apple very much needs to get these firmed up. Especially clear up all the issues with calendar syncing.
Dave
I went from an unlocked 2.0 iPhone to 2.0.1 without restoring it, and it's still unlocked and working on my carrier (not O2). Apple may like the money I'm giving them (30%) through all the apps I'm buying after all.
When you say you "went from an unlocked 2.0 iPhone to 2.0.1 without restoring it, and it's still unlocked and working on my carrier (not O2)", do you mean an original Gen 1 (EDGE) iPhone or the Gen 2 (3G), because as far as I know, there is no operator unlock for the 3G phone yet.
Just looking for clarification. The newly release DevTeam now jailbreaks, but does not unlock the 2.0.1 release from Apple.
If someone doesn't want to be confined, then they don't have to buy the iPhone. There are certain advantages that come from being locked or having the App Store: at least everything is checked once before going on your machine. No spyware will get on.
I know, all this spyware on my Mac is beginning to bug me. Apple should have been pre-checking all those Mac apps for us.
Let's hope they fix the Mail app issues where getting any mail at all requires a reboot of the phone if you've gone from a cell network to a wifi network or vice versa.
I do both mobileme and exchange with work and never have this problem.
When you say you "went from an unlocked 2.0 iPhone to 2.0.1 without restoring it, and it's still unlocked and working on my carrier (not O2)", do you mean an original Gen 1 (EDGE) iPhone or the Gen 2 (3G), because as far as I know, there is no operator unlock for the 3G phone yet.
Just looking for clarification. The newly release DevTeam now jailbreaks, but does not unlock the 2.0.1 release from Apple.
I installed 2.0 software on a 1st gen. (aluminum) iPhone. I used PwnageTool to unlock and jailbreak the phone, I used 2.0 software on an unsupported network for a week or two, and then when 2.0.1 came along, I simply installed from iTunes, like one would on a regular AT&T contract iPhone (right on top of the of the cracked software), and the software installed fine, despite being an unlocked and jailbroken iPhone.
The result; Apple removed the jailbreak, but left the phone unlocked and fully useable on the same unsupported network.
I installed 2.0 software on a 1st gen. (aluminum) iPhone. I used PwnageTool to unlock and jailbreak the phone, I used 2.0 software on an unsupported network for a week or two, and then when 2.0.1 came along, I simply installed from iTunes, like one would on a regular AT&T contract iPhone (right on top of the of the cracked software), and the software installed fine, despite being an unlocked and jailbroken iPhone.
The result; Apple removed the jailbreak, but left the phone unlocked and fully useable on the same unsupported network.
Ah, okay. Thanks. I thought I had missed something.
I have chosen not to jailbreak my phone so I can use my phone knowing that trusted apps only are installed only on my phone.
I mean why would anyone develop an app for jailbroken phones only and not through the app store.
To bypass riles of course.
That said, the direction can obviously be easily calculated by just comparing two positions over time - that's all GPS can do, so the only thing Apple can be doing is calculating or interpolating the data at a low level - I'm not sure why this can be done any better at a low level than in software...
2) Pwnage Team should change their version numbering to match that of the iPhone that it can be used with, with an 'A', 'B', etc. following the names as it seems to be confusing to some that don't pay much attention to these things.
Imagine a computer blocked to be used with some ISP or with some application. Sounds ridiculous? Well, that is sadly the situation with the iPhone and the iPod Touch.
I could not agree more. Not just computers, imagine if every cable company had its own proprietary TVs too! Even other phone manufacturers don't do this. Most of them make models that are available through almost every teleco around, GSM or CDMA (some even work on both). There is no acceptable excuse for Apple to force you to use their carrier of choice if you want their product.
There is no acceptable excuse for Apple to force you to use their carrier of choice if you want their product.
It could be the price that Apple had to pay in order to access the networks. It's in ATTs' interest to keep the iPhone customers locked to their network.