unlocks

Apple bans hackers from App Store

After a long battle with hackers who have been successful at jailbreaking the iPhone from one version of the OS to another, Apple is now taking a more personal approach to locking down the device. It's been reported that known iPhone jailbreaking/unlocking hackers have had their Apple IDs banned from Apple's App Store.

One of those hackers is Sherif Hashim, who recently found an exploit in the latest iPhone OS version 3.1.3 that could unlock the baseband version 05.12.01. Sherif now gets a message saying that his Apple ID is banned for "… Read more

Amazon.com has the Nokia 5800 Xpress Music (Unlocked) Smartphone for $259.99, after $140 savings.

Save $140 on the Nokia 5800 Xpress Music (Unlocked) Smartphone from Amazon.com >> Regular price is $399.99 >> Sale price is $259.99 >> Savings $140 (35%) >> Click here for deal

Unlock the doc

Anyone who's ever tried to open or edit an important Microsoft Word or Excel document, only to find it's protected by a long-lost or never-known password, will appreciate PasswordUnlocker's Office Password Unlocker. It's a handy tool that unlocks password-protected Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access documents so they can be opened and edited by anyone. You can also use it to recover forgotten Office passwords. It's compatible with all versions of Microsoft Office from 97 to 2007.

Office Password Unlocker opens with a basic gray dialog box typical of the Office family, which means functional but … Read more

T-Mobile could unlock your phone sooner

Sometimes small changes are the most important. TmoNews, a site that exhaustively reports everything T-Mobile, reported Monday that the carrier will make it easier for customers to unlock their T-Mobile phones. Instead of having to wait three months (90 days), post-paid customers can obtain an unlock code after just 40 days beginning January 21. Prepaid customers will see a shorter wait period as well, 60 days instead of 90 days, provided they have an account balance of at least $10 and have refilled their service within the last 30 days.

The news comes via an unidentified tipster, and T-Mobile has … Read more

The 411: Data talk and music transfer

Welcome to the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

Hi Nicole, I read CNET reviews from time to time and your team there is really helpful with great unbiased reviews. I am writing because I can't seem to find concrete information about using an unlocked smartphone. Like some people, I would like a smartphone, but do not want to carry a data plan and occasionally use e-mail and Web over Wi-Fi. I have read that buying an unlocked (smart)phone that is carrier-free can be used this way. But I have also read that companies (AT&T to be specific) can recognize even an unlocked smartphone not purchased from them, and automatically assign a data plan to the voice plan. I specifically want to buy a used unlocked Nokia E71, and get a SIM card with no contract or data plan. Can I do this, or do the new practices by carriers make that not possible? Any help is appreciated, thanks for your time.--Scott, via e-mail… Read more

Blackra1n update adds unlock, Mac support

iPhone OS hacker, GeoHot, released an updated version of Blackra1n earlier this week, a jailbreak utility for iPhone OS 3.1.2 and iPhone baseband 05.11.07 that now includes a carrier unlock that lets you use the iPhone on any GSM carrier.

We covered the initial release of Blackra1n that was Windows only, but now a Mac version of Blackra1n is available. Mac users can use Blackra1n to jailbreak or unlock all iPhone and iPod Touch models regardless of its hardware generation.

Using the application is simple. You just connect the iPhone or iPod Touch using the standard … Read more

Blackra1n RC3 unlocks iPhone 3GS

iPhone OS hacker GeoHot released Blackra1n RC3 Tuesday, an updated jailbreak and unlock utility for the Apple iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch.

This version provides true carrier unlocking for iPhone OS 3.1.2 and baseband 05.11.07 by taking advantage of at+xemm crash exploit discovered by ih8sn0w.

The Blackra1n jailbreak process installs a new app--called Sn0w--onto an iPhone. It unlocks your iPhone, making it usable on any GSM carrier network. More information about the jailbreak can be found on GeoHot's blog.

Please note that by jailbreaking an iPhone, you may be violating your terms of service … Read more

iPhone OS 3.1.2 unlock arrives this week

iPhone OS hacker GeoHot has announced the successful creation of an iPhone unlock for the iPhone OS 3.1.2 baseband. The new app called, Blacksn0w, will allow iPhone users to use their phone on non-Apple sanctioned carriers.

You'll have to wait a bit though, since the application will not be released by GeoHot until November 4th, 2009.

GeoHot also posted this YouTube video demonstrating the exploit:

Sony Ericsson Aino gets official

Just a few months after it was first announced, Sony Ericsson has officially launched the Aino in the U.S.

This unlocked GSM beauty boasts a crisp, 3-inch, 432x240, touch-screen display, plus a slide-out keypad, a 8.1-megapixel camera, compatibility with the PlayStation 3 console (plus support for Remote Play, Media Home, and Media Go features), tri-band HSPA, and even Wi-Fi.

It will cost you $600 upfront, but Sony Ericsson is throwing in a pair of stereo Bluetooth headphones, a charging base, and an 8GB microSD memory card to sweeten the deal. The Aino is currently available in Sony stores … Read more