The iPhone 3G debuted last week in Taiwan, where Apple is partnered with the country’s largest mobile operator, Chunghwa Telecom. However, despite claims to the contrary by Chunghwa, that relationship may not be entirely exclusive.

A report in Digitimes suggests that the handsets being sold in Taiwan are not actually locked for use with Chunghwa’s network, even though the company says they can only be used on its network. Many users who’ve bought the phones are saying that inserting a SIM card from a different provider works fine, though it does mean that users can’t access Chunghwa’s special web services.

That fact might make Taiwan very attractive as a market for iPhones to be used in other countries where the device isn’t available yet. However, one barrier to that is the fact that the iPhone is relatively expensive in Taiwan, carrying a pricetag of NT$26,600 (~US$800) for an 8GB model with no contract. And, as illicitly unlocked iPhones seem to have long been making their way to Asian markets at lower prices, the price premium may be seen as excessive. One advantage, however, is that a legally-distributed unlocked iPhone would likely carry less risk of being made inoperable by a future Apple software update.

Taiwanese iPhones aren’t the only ones to be sold legitimately unlocked: France and Hong Kong are also among the countries that have offered unlocked iPhones.

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Google recently announced that they will be selling the HTC branded G1 Android phone unlocked to “developers“. That’s right, it will work with any GSM/3G sim card world wide. Well what do you have to do to become a developer? I am not quite sure. But it looks as easy as you or I registering with the Android Market Developers Site (for $25 USD) and I guess, in essence, become a Android Developer. From there you can go ahead and purchase one unlocked G1 from Google’s website for $399 big ones. I have already got an email over the weekend from a friend that he already placed his order for one of the unlocked G1’s.

I am guessing I may order an unlocked G1 soon, but I have some other stuff that I have ordered/am ordering that I will share with you Apple fans when they arrive. If the hardware was like the N97 I would be all over this, but until then, I’ll wait. Lets hope Edward is nice enough to lend me his for a day to test out and post some videos of.

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Well, well, well - Without any warning or announcement, Apple is selling the iPhone fully unlocked from it’s website to customers in Hong Kong. According to the Apple HK website, an 8GB Unlocked iPhone will set you back $5,400 HK ($692), while a 16GB model costs $6,200 HK ($794).

According tot he Site:

“iPhone 3G purchased at the Apple Online Store can be activated with any wireless carrier. Simply insert the SIM from your current phone into iPhone 3G and connect to iTunes 8 to complete activation.”

 

Awesome!! - I obviously tried to buy one, but couldn’t with my existing Apple ID. But this is fantastic news if you are like me in the market for an officially unlocked iPhone 3G. Where there is a will there is a way, and I’ll find a way to get one.

[via SARC in the forum]

thanks Z00L for the Zpellingz Fizt

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Over the weekend the AppleInsider reported that Apple retail employees found a new option in their point of sale (EasyPay) system for the iPhone 3G called “Home”. Previously, the only options presented were:

1. Upgrade/Swap existing Phone
2.  New to AT&T starting a single line
3.  New to AT&T starting a family line
4.  Add a line to existing account

Upon further investigation, AppleInsider has confirmed that this new “Home” option simply refers to users that have used AT&T’s home pre-qualification web site, and this option was added to help speed up the lengthy in store activation process.

There were also rumors that Apple was getting ready to introduce an unlocked version of the iPhone 3G and also discontinue the 8GB version and include a 32GB model to the iPhone line up. Even though Apple has mentioned in the past that it may sell a unlocked 3G iPhone in the US like it does in other countries, these rumors suggesting that the unlocked ($1000 USD) iPhone 3G seem to be false unfortunately. - Bleh.

Thanks to SARC for posting the original rumor in the forum.

[via AppleInsider]

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Well I am sure allot of developers are going to feel gutted. It seems that a certain hacker has figured out how to make signed Apps downloaded from the AppStore work on iPhones and iPod Touch’s without purchasing them from the AppStore.

Apple is going to be pissed.

Users can simply find the App they want on their favorite torrent/sharing site and them perform a simple patch to a file on their computer, upload the files via OpenSSH, set some permissions, reboot their phones and viola, it works. Some Apps like Super Monkey Ball have been cracked and are easy to find.

I am not much on the side of pirating software and stealing money out of the pockets of the Developers who created all these fantastic Apps and Games. We’ll see how long it takes Apple to fix this, because this was obviously too easy for them to crack.

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I have been following the iPhone 3G in Europe closely because of the the laws concerning locking a cellular phone to one mobile carrier. It seems that the lucky Italians (and buyers in Hong Kong are confirming this as well) can purchase the iPhone 3G that is authorized to be unlocked upon activation. ion Italy the cost is €499 (have a look here), or about for about $775 USD (or about $4,900 TTD), The 16 GB is €569  - WOW

According to this thred on Hackint0sh a user named Ma5ter says:

“Yep, I can confirm. 11.07 I bought iPhone in Italy at central TIM store and I’m from Croatia. Only for the first time I had to activate phone with TIM card (through iTunes), what I got in package, and after that all Croatian SIM card works. Yes you can change APN.
Go for it.”

UPDATE: Buyers in Hong Kong are also saying that any sim card can be used once you have activated the iPhone with the 3 Sim card. BUT you are still signed to a 24 month contract, even though you can use the phones anywhere in the world, so this only really benefits the original owner/buyer who’s name is on the contract unless you manage to buy one off an Italian of Hong Kong dude that forgets to transfer the contract payments to you ;).

hkbeejay writes:

“Confirmed. I am one of the 500 and am holding one that is unlocked. I was also advised by my account manager that all iPhones 3G sold by “3″ are unlocked.

Don’t forget, however, that when you buy the phone you will also have to commit to 24 months contract signed before they let you have the phone.”

But This means that you or someone can walk into TIM Italy or 3 Hong Kong, and purchase a iPhone 3G that is authorized to work on any carrier network, aka unlocked (without contract), activate it with the provided sim card, then toss out the TIM or 3 sim card that came with the iPhoen 3G (wait - you should probably keep it in case you need it to activate or upgrade in the future) - pop in your sim card and presto have a working iPhone 3G - with a 24 month contract. If there is a way to get out of the contract then it may really be worth something. But with the price that high already, adding a early contract termination fee, may send the price upwards of $1000 USD from the carrier. Ouch.

If someone is willing to send me an iPhone 3G that is authorized to be unlocked I would love to test it with my local Bmobile sim card A quick look around on eBay reveals that people in these countries are already buying these unlocked iPhone 3G’s and selling them for over $1000 USD - wow - BUT that’s good considering what the iPhone 3G would probably go for PWNED unlocked (and comparable to what first gen unlocked iPhones went for a year ago). - But what about the Contract with the original carrier, can you pay an early termination fee?

A closer look on Apples website revealed some interesting info (as well as confirms TIM and Vodafone Italy, as well as 3 in Hong Kong -  iPhone 3G’s are officially listed as NOT “Locked to carrier” according to Apples website) It also shows which countries you can possibly get an iPhone 3G authorized for unlocking, Switzerland maybe? Apples notes that customers should “Contact carrier for authorized unlocking” in the following countries:

1. France
2. Switzerland
3. Austria
4. Spain
5. Autralia
6. Portugal
7. Norway

So how do you know if you are being scammed when purchasing a iPhone 3G that has been Authorized to be unlocked? Easily, it will have one of the following model numbers if its from Italy: MB489T/A, MB496T/A, MB500T/A as per Apples website.

My older brother, who I miss allot, lives in Switzerland. I will give him a call and ask him to contact Swisscom and ask them if he can buy an Authorized Unlocked iPhone 3G. If he can, I’ll let you know. Maybe Zibri will start selling Authorized Unlocked iPhone 3G’s instead of trying to recompile ZiPhone for 2.0 and 3G Baseband or keep up with the big boys, as he seems so pissed off with the whole iPhone community. Ok maybe not

With Apple and supporting Carriers keeping a tight leash on activating the iPhone 3G, maybe these countries may offer a real solution for those wanting an iPhone 3G that is truely unlocked and authorized by Apple and that you would be able to update and use freely, the way it should be in a perfect world.

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No more riddles or cryptic messages - they have done it

The iPhone Dev Team have released some great news on their blog, the anticipation that has been killing the users posting comments for the last few days should be over soon. After a number of members of the Dev Team stood in line for the new iPhone 3G this morning, to then return to their ranch to complete final testing -  and the results look good.

Back at the dev ranch

So, some of the guys are still waiting in line, but the important test that we needed to do has been completed, so to recap on what we wrote in our last post :-

“UPDATE: So guys, the out of the box tests on retail hardware are great. Everything works as we anticipated. This is great news, seriously. No riddles or jokes or cryptic messages now, watch this space.”

We’ll be doing another post soon, with some more info and a video of an upcoming release, so please bear with us, it will be worth it

Stay tuned, allot of people are going to be very happy, and a certain someone in a black sweater in Cupertino is going to be pissed.

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Macnn.com (and now Engadget) got me all excited this morning when I read that they found AT&T’s pricing plan online and it included pricing for the iPhone 3G with “no-commitment options”. No commitment options in my books means unlocked, and the pricing sounds about right for an unsubsidized (unlocked) iPhone 3G - way more than anyone wants to pay for one. Unless you are not in one of those lucky supported countries, and remember the N95 and other smart phones do cost about the same unlocked on eBay or Amazon.

Here is the quote from Macnn.com

“AT&T has released some of its first official pricing for the iPhone 3G. Those new to AT&T, or simply eligible for an upgrade, can pay the lower $199 and $299 prices for 8 or 16GB phones; those who are technically too early to qualify for an upgrade must spend $399 or $499. In either case a two-year contract is required, along with an $18 upgrade fee. “Coming soon,” according to the company, will be no-commitment options, priced at $599 and $699.“

Is Apple going to follow suit? Are we going to be able to buy a iPhone 3G unlocked from Apple Stores or Apple.com? I truly hope so. Even if I have to wait a couple months and pay a little more (ok well allot more).

One thing has me weary about all of this that Macnn.com posted, I can’t find it on the AT&T site, anywhere. UPDATE - Here is what I have found:

“What will I pay for iPhone 3G?
If you are upgrade eligible and your account is in good standing, you will pay $199 for 8GB (black) and $299 for 16GB (black or white). Two-year contract required.

You have the option to purchase an early upgrade priced at $399 for 8GB (black) or $499 for 16GB (black or white). Two-year contract required. Coming soon, AT&T will offer a no-commitment option of $599 for 8GB and $699 for 16GB.“

If you can find it on the AT&T site, please either send it to me or post the link in the comments. Either Macnn.com got some insider info, or AT&T quickly took the info down as they would have probably felt the hard end of Apple’s big rod of correction.

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