14 DAY TRIAL // While the iPhone OS 3.1 was offered for free to handset owners on September 9, iPod touch firmware 3.1.1 was made available as a paid upgrade for owners of the world’s funnest iPod. Although cheaper than previous software updates (now only $4.95), many iPod touch users still believe it’s not worth paying to update.
And, apparently, so does BlogsDNA, which has posted an extensive guide on how to download and install iPod touch 3.1.1 firmware for free. Coming just days after the people at QuickPWN posted their own guide on how to jailbreak iPhone OS 3.1, the tutorial basically revolves around the IPSW file downloads, which are otherwise paid downloads that can only be done via iTunes. Instead, the BlogsDNA guide to updating the iPod touch firmware for free offers up the OS 3.1.1 downloads for free.
There are currently three iPod touch models in the wild. Each one needs a separate IPSW (update / restore) file. As such, downloads are available for the following files: “iPod1,1_3.1.1_7C145_Restore.ipsw;” “iPod2,1_3.1.1_7C145_Restore.ipsw;” “iPod3,1_3.1.1_7C145_Restore.ipsw.” However, at the time of this writing, only the 3.1.1 IPSW for iPod 3,1 (the newest model) was available as a download.
The site previously posted a tutorial on “How to Update iPod Touch to 3.0 Firmware For Free,” citing the following reasons for the move: iPhone 2G, 3G users are allowed to have free upgrade to iPhone firmware 3.0, however iPod touch users need [to] pay $9.95 to upgrade to OS 3.0. We are sure many users are not happy with this kind of behavior from apple [sic] towards iPod Touch Users [sic]. Well don’t worry we will tell you how you can update iPod Touch 3.0 for free once apple [sic] had release [sic] OS 3.0 for iPod Touch.
Readers should note that Softpedia is posting this piece solely for informational purposes and does not suggest that iPod touch owners should update their software this way. As an owner of the touchscreen-equipped iPod, the only way you should update is by using iTunes to confirm with Apple that you are buying the new software. If you update “for free” and something happens to your iPod, Apple may not come to the rescue, even if your device is under warranty, as these practices are agreement-breakers.
We even have a guide for you on how to legally update your iPod’s software. You can check it out here.