14 DAY TRIAL // Confirmed earlier this month by a number of high-profile tech publications, a new version of the Apple iOS is targeting Verizon iPhone 4 units. Freely downloadable from Apple’s servers, the iOS 4.2.6 IPSW is being made available 10 days ahead of the CDMA phone’s official launch.
Previously confirmed as iOS 4.2.5, the new 4.2.6 IPSW targeting Verizon iPhones is necessary for customers to restore their phones’ firmware in case they need to, even if this means doing so on the day they bought their handset.
As such, Apple is making the software available more than a week earlier.
Pre-orders for the Verizon iPhone 4 are set to kick off later this week on February 3rd, while the smartphone is to become physically available in stores a full week later - February 10th.
Listed as “iPhone3,3_4.2.6_8E200_Restore.ipsw” the firmware update can be downloaded directly from Apple’s servers using the first link below, or through Softpedia (basically the same download) using the second link down, which offers a wider range of IPSW downloads, including for iPod touch, and iPad.
Download iPhone3,3_4.2.6_8E200_Restore.ipsw
Download iOS Firmware Update (Free)
As noted above, build 8E200 is specifically intended for CDMA iPhone 4 units, therefore GSM iPhone owners will not be eligible for installing this update.
In fact, users of a GSM iPhone should not even attempt to apply this iOS 4.2.6 IPSW build to their handsets.
CDMA iPhone 4 units are known to boast personal hotspot functionality through the new iOS software, an ability that will permit users to turn their iPhone 4 into a mobile hotspot.
“iPhone 4 is the most innovative phone in the world, featuring Apple’s stunning Retina display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone resulting in super crisp text, images and video, and FaceTime, which makes video calling a reality,” Apple & Verizon officially stated in the official CDMA iPhone 4 announcement.
“iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless will also include new Personal Hotspot capabilities allowing customers to use iPhone 4 to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices,” the two companies confirmed on January 11th (emphasis ours).