WhiteD00r Puts iOS 5 on Your Old iPhone 2G, iPod touch

There is now a way to get some of the best iOS 5 features on your old iPhone or iPod touch, complete with a built-in jailbreak and even a carrier unlock. There’s a single download to be made, and it’s not an application, but a custom IPSW file.

Whited00r brings much of the iOS 5 goodness to your original iPhone or iPod touch. It also applies to the iPhone 3G and the second-generation iPod touch.

It brings Multitasking, Folders, Reminders and Newsstand from the newest version of iOS, an alternative to iCloud, which uses everyone’s favorite cloud-service (Dropbox), an enhanced Safari web browser with Flash support and a Find in Page function, as well as a jailbreak and carrier unlock.

Those who don't need the carrier unlock have the option to download a “normal” version of Whited00r. The developers explain:

“Lots of iPhone 2G has been exported worldwide, so lots of iPhone 2G users are looking for a carrier unlock to use their device with any SIM card.”

“You should choose Normal release only if you can legitimately activate you device via iTunes AND you don’t need carrier unlock (so you are using the original SIM card, for example form AT&T). All other users should choose Unlocker firmwares.”

“If you are not sure use Unlocked firmwares. Unlocker firmware need a patch to enable Push-Notifications.”

Of course, this is not a complete iOS 5 port, but Whited00r does deliver the best features to old-generation devices. The developers made a custom version of Apple’s stock iOS 5 and catered it towards the ARM6 processors used in the original iPhones and iPod touches.

There are a few limitations, such as the App Store not working quite as intended, so you need to ensure you’ve documented yourselves thoroughly before proceeding with this hack. It seems pretty harmless, but that doesn’t mean it’s particularly recommended.