Day after tomorrow....and after that

The IPSF software was released on Monday after I wrote last on Saturday. Some resellers were retailing as much as USD99. Most bought from an Australian reseller at USD50. That was yesterday. And while the reseller was busy distrubuting the software to paid buyers, the DEV team at Hackintosh has just announced their version of the free SIM unlock today! Named iUnlock, the team was able to flash the baseband - which previously was thought impossible to do it the software way (hence the Geohot hardware unlock). Hurrrahh, the Dev team has defitinely brought IPSF to their knees with this release. However, the intial method is still highly technical but Erica Sadun (one of the member of the Dev team) has promised an idiot proved, GUI method in no time. Ok ok if you must, try these links:

http://www.deadbeef.cn/files/iUnlock.zip
http://mirror1.deadbeef.cn/iUnlock.zip
http://www.tr0gd0r.com/iUnlock.zip
http://iphonedev.km20825.keymachine.de/iUnlock.zip
http://rapidshare.com/files/55044435/iUnlock.zip.html
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FMI6OEE9
http://mirror1.deadbeef.cn/iUnlock_src.zip
http://iphonedev.km20825.keymachine.de/iUnlock_src.zip
http://gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/09/iunlock_src.zip

and my favourite..

http://www.hacktheiphone.com/74/iphone_information_74_1.html

Too lazy and too impatient and has got too much money to burn? Head down to the crooks at Lucky plaza and you will see HW unlocked iphone selling for $2100!!!!

IPSF software available from Monday onwards?

There have been disappointments after disappointments after weeks of promised delivery. But through CNN, Endgaget and Gizmodo IPSF endeavor proofing that they are not a hoax. We shall see. Meanwhile, sharks and profiteers are out there cashing on this launch. Australian resellers are the first to get off the blocks. Average selling price? AUD $60, with the cost at US$28. I reckon a good S$20 with each license sold. Giddyup!!

6th of September : freedom !

Finally, after 2 months of owning the iPhone, it is unlocked with a Turbo Sim. All the functions are working except voice mail. I am finally a happy man, transform from a nervous wreck.

Iphonesimfree.com replies

Thank you for contacting us. We are now ready to take orders. Iphonesimfree is the only pure software solution available for iphone unlocking.
Easy to market, easy to use as indicated by several respected independent reviews such as:

CNN:http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/09/01/apple.iphone/index.html

Engadget:http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/24/iphone-unlocked-atandt-loses-iphone-exclusivity-august-24-2007

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The reseller or his/her customer must install on the iphone our software, available by mail or through direct download from our site. This is a standard .app file and once installed on the iphone it will show up as a springboard icon on the main screen.

The reseller must log into our back office and enter the required data specific to that iphone (his license credit will be substracted).

Once done, the reseller or the customer must run the .app, which will communicate via the iphone wifi to our server. If the iphone has been registered, the software will proceed to unlock the iphone.

It is that easy! In the unlikely case of any problem happening, we have a 24/7 hotline to assist our resellers.

WHAT IS THE PRICING STRUCTURE?

The minimum number of licenses you can order is 50 pieces. Minimum quantity and pricing are not negotiable.

50 licenses: $36/each
100 licenses: $34/each
250 licenses: $32/each
500 licenses: $30/each
1000 licenses: $28/each
2500 licenses: $27/each
5000 licenses: $25/each

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: WHAT GUARANTEES DO WE HAVE AGAINST FUTURE UPDATES?

We CANNOT guarantee that this software will work after any future updates for the iphone. It does currently work on all firmware versions, up to and including, 1.02
We will naturally try to provide our resellers an updated version of our software for each firmware update, it is in our interest, but we do NOT guarantee that we will be able to do so.

WE ARE A TEAM:

Iphonesimfree.com is a wholesale only company. Although we could, we do not and will not sell directly to end users, because we want to work together with our valuable resellers as a team and not interfere in their business.

HOW DO I PLACE AN ORDER:

We are now taking orders. The delivery date is Tuesday, 4th of September. If you want to purchase a bulk of licenses please reply to this email with:

- Number of licenses you want to purchase
- Company name and address (or Name if you are not a company)
- Name of the contact
- Telephone number (at least one)

You will shortly receive a proforma invoice with all the details on how to complete your order. Payment is by bank transfer only.

THANK YOU, WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ORDER.

CNN confirms iPhoneSIMfree.com's unlock works

Verbatim:

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- A group of anonymous software developers said they will soon start selling a program that will allow iPhone owners to use the hugely popular device on cell phone systems around the world and not just with AT&T.

Apple's iPhone, released in the United States two months ago, was engineered to operate for the first two years only on the AT&T system through an exclusive arrangement between Apple and AT&T. It has not yet been sold outside of the U.S.

Los Angeles software consultant Brett Schulte, who is not affiliated with the developers, demonstrated the software for CNN Friday evening.

An iPhone that had the new software appeared to work on the T-Mobile system just seconds after Schulte replaced the AT&T SIM card with a T-Mobile SIM card.

"It's completely software hacked," Schulte said. "There's no case opening required. It's not required to do any kind of disassembly." It took Schulte about two minutes to unlock the iPhone.

The developers would not give CNN their last names, saying "We don't want to be hounded."

The said they would start selling the software, which they haven't yet priced, as soon as their online payment and customer service systems are ready. They're also waiting for more information from their lawyers.

Apple spokeswoman Jennifer Bowcock told CNN her company has no comment.

AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said he couldn't speculate on the legality of unlocking the phone, but he added, "When you sign up, you're signing a two-year contract. You're obligated to pay the bill."

"When people buy the iPhone it's clear from our materials it's designed to operate exclusively on AT&T," Siegel said.

Schulte, however, said it is possible to buy an iPhone without being contractually obligated to AT&T.

The developers recently created a Web site -- iPhoneSIMfree.com -- but there is very little information on it and no direct way for anyone to purchase the software. Internet records showed they bought the domain name less than two weeks ago.

Two members of the group, who identified themselves only as "John" and "Liu," told CNN in a phone interview that a core group of six people on three continents worked to unlock the iPhone as a hobby.

They said they are fans of Apple products who thought the iPhone should be made accessible to people who cannot use AT&T.

"I'm not in America and I can't use it," said Liu, who would not reveal the country in which he lives. "It's not fair."

Asked if he thought modifying the iPhone was legal, he said "That's a very good question. I truly believe it is."

John and Liu said they have not been contacted by either Apple or AT&T, but said that could change the moment their software goes on sale.

Earlier this month, a teenager figured out a way to unlock the iPhone, but his method required disassembly of the unit.