14 DAY TRIAL // There are currently dozens of guides / tutorials out there assisting iPhone and iPod touch owners in hacking their devices. Softpedia itself took a shot at providing one such step-by-step guide, in order to ensure people at least didn’t break their devices, although it doesn’t condone such activities. This article further sheds light on the jailbreak matter (not so much for unlocking a device), as far as the 3.1.3 firmware is concerned. As usual, Softpedia posts these articles solely for informational purposes.
Soon after iPhone OS 3.1.3 was released to the public, the iPhone Dev Team stepped up to the task of providing a reliable jailbreak solution. The infamous team of hackers noted, at the time, that not all devices were supported by its newly updated PwnageTool jailbreak solution for Mac OS X, and that iPhone 3GS users should pay particular attention to these warnings. Third-generation iPod touch owners also fall in this category, as there is currently no support for them via PwnageTool 3.1.5 for the 3.1.3 firmware.
An updated version of the Redsn0w jailbreak solution soon followed. While different, it does pretty much the same thing as PwnageTool – jailbreaks a device –, but does so on both Mac OS X, and Windows computers. So, while Mac owners have two jailbreak solutions to choose from, Windows PC users have just one. The latter group should also note that third-gen touches are also not supported by Redsn0w. Additionally, this tool requires the user to employ a 3.1.2 IPSW, jailbreak it, and use it to patch the 3.1.3 firmware installed on their device. It’s tricky, so be cautious if you need to jailbreak in the future.
Unlocks are even more complicated to handle at the moment, for all device owners. PwnageTool 3.1.5 will effectively jailbreak a number of iPhone models (excluding the 3GS), as well as keep existing unlocks in place, but not if the user has unlocked using Geohot’s blacksn0w solution. Geohot, as some of you may know, is one of the few hackers out there able to mess around with the iPhone software and provide reliable hacks. He’s also the first to successfully hack the Sony PlayStation 3, from what we hear.
Finally, Softpedia would also like to note that the hackers’ job is not over, as far as the 3.1.3 firmware is concerned. Even as you are reading these lines, the iPhone Dev Team, Geohot, and perhaps others are trying to figure out new ways to support all devices, as well as provide reliable unlocks via their existing tools. Patience is a virtue, they say, and that’s exactly what unsupported device owners should exhibit right now.
Softpedia doesn't condone jailbreaking / unlocking the iPhone / iPod touch or any other device. This article has a purely informational purpose and doesn't, in any way, suggest that you should hack your Apple device. Using hacks may render your device unusable, or may reduce the quality of your experience employing the respective device. If you choose to download and install jailbreak tools, you will do so at your own risk. Unlocking / jailbreaking your iPhone / iPod touch may violate your warranty or the EULA with Apple and / or your cellular-service provider.