The iPhonegizmo team have researched and posted about the reasons many people have for unlocking their iPhones (here, for example). And about how Apple has worked hard to try and stop unlocking! And we introduced you to the iPhone Dev Team, (a group of hackers who develop software for iPhone users so that they can use applications unauthorized by Apple on their iPhones). They provide a free open source iPhone hack (unlock software).
Well, the iPhone Dev Team have been issuing guidelines (aka – warnings) for iPhone owners that want to keep their iPhones unlocked, to NOT install Apple’s firmware updates:
if you want to keep the jailbreak or unlock on your 3GS, you should resist all urges to install Apple’s official firmware updates without knowing if a jailbreak exists for that version yet.
In fact, the Dev Team warn that updating to the latest OS version (iPhone OS 3.1) will destroy the redsn0w unlock.
But, it seems that the new PwnageTool 3.1 just released “THIS DOES NOT SUPPORT THE 3GS OR 2G/3G IPOD TOUCH” Apparently the latest Apple firmware is tougher to unlock – so the fix is promised for “some time in the near future”.
This leaves iPhone owners with a real dilemma – is independence from iTunes worth the risk of not updating to the latest firware? We will leave you with the warning listed at softpedia:
Using hacks may render your device unusable, or may reduce the quality of your experience using 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.
OUCH!