The iPhone Dev-Team (no relation) have been teasing us for a little bit now with what they've been saying is an iPhone OS 3.0-compatible version of yellowsn0w, and tonight in a video presentation they unveiled ultrasn0w, which should let you unlock any iPhone on the market, running any version of the firmware from 3.0 on down. The trick to how they're getting the jailbreak hasn't been revealed yet for fear of Apple making a fix at the eleventh hour, but if everything goes according to plan, the new hacking software should be out Friday in time for the iPhone 3G S (no guarantee it'll work on the new device). Hit up the read link to watch the magic happen right before your very own eyes.

If you're looking for a quick way to stick it to AT&T, we might suggest an unlocked iPhone 3G running on T-Mobile. Not just any old pwned iPhone, though -- how about something a little more official? Buy.com is offering fully Apple-warranted, "never-locked" 16GB iPhone 3Gs for the princely sum of $799.99, which might very well mark the first time such a unit has been offered by a major retailer stateside. You'd be looking at well less than $800 for an off-contract unit from AT&T that's been unlocked the hacky way, but if you'd rather stay on the up and up, this looks like the way to roll.

[Via dealmac.com]

The iPhone Dev-Team works in mysterious ways, but it also works in quick ways. Granted, the iPhone 3G's initial unlock took way longer than anyone would've liked, but when reports started surfacing that it wasn't working particularly well after the first beta release earlier in the week, they appear to have worked doubletime to get a better version into circulation. The release is now up to v0.9.4 -- still beta -- but if you tried the first cut and struggled, we'd suggest giving the new version a whirl.

So, it didn't quite land before midnight as some had hoped, but we're sure you were partying too hard to notice. The Dev-Team just launched its long-awaited iPhone 3G unlock, dubbed "yellowsn0w," and while they're still working out a few kinks (terming this release a 0.9 beta release), reports are already pouring in of successful unlocks. It's also been confirmed that this release will work with the iPhone's latest v2.2 firmware, and in fact requires that the phone be updated to v2.2 to run at all -- much to the chagrin of folks who've held off on that update at the Dev-Team's behest, we're sure, but hopefully all will soon be forgotten in the new year... already freer than the last! Hit up the read link for download instructions and caveats.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Unfortunately, it seems yellowsn0w might be living up to its beta status, with plenty of commenters and others across the interwebs reporting problems getting "unlocked" iPhone 3Gs to pick up their preferred carrier. As always, proceed with caution, and prepare some loose papers that need weighting just in case.

Ever since the Dev-Team kinda sorta promised that they would have a neatly packaged iPhone 3G unlock ready for release by the year's end, we've all been waiting on pins and needles, counting down the moments until freedom was in hand yet again. Now, a cryptic message on the crew's blog has been followed up with a not-at-all secretive image (shown above), which shows that whatever magic they've got going on will work with the latest (v2.2) iPhone 3G firmware. According to a related writeup at yellowsn0w, we're clearly told that the unlock tool will be made available by midnight PST at the latest, though we're hoping those guys have their AM / PM mixed up -- otherwise, you might be waiting until noontime tomorrow. At any rate, now you've more than a day off and black eyed peas to look forward to tomorrow, right?

Via yellowsn0w and MobileCrunch]

Why wait for Verizon to do it? As usual, the always-vigilant WinMo community has come through with its own GPS unlock for Verizon's Touch Pro, meaning you're not locked to the VZ Navigator app -- pricey monthly fee and all -- to get your coordinate fix. The unlock's a little hacky, and the trick's author himself says that it should be characterized as a "beta," so we wouldn't recommend doing this if you rely on your Touch Pro to be spot-on perfect day in and day out -- but if you like living on the edge and you just love knowing where you are, this might be worth a shot.

[Via wmpoweruser.com]

We can't unlock ours for a few days yet, so why don't we sit back, relax, and watch the boys and girls at the Dev-Team shoehorn their iPhone 3G onto T-Mobile while we wait? Follow the break for all the nail-biting action!

Well this has been a long time coming. It seems that the iPhone Dev-Team has finally done the impossible -- they've gone and unlocked the iPhone 3G. The hack isn't out yet (the team says they're shooting for a December 31st release), and it requires that you've got a baseband of 2.11.07 or earlier, but when it drops, the crew seems fairly confident it will result in freedom from carrier oppression. The team is packaging the app -- formerly codenamed "yellowsn0w" -- into a user-friendly app a la PwnageTool and QuickPwn. Of course, you know how this cat and mouse game goes by now, so don't be surprised when Jobs and company come calling with an update that adds toast making to the official menu, but breaks your breaks all over again.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

On AT&T, you know the drill: your iPhone 3G's locked up tight, and no amount of begging, pleading, or bargaining is going to convince a CS rep to drop the digital deadbolt for you (not to say they'd have the foggiest clue how to anyway). In other parts of the world, though, some carriers are more than happy to unlock iPhone 3Gs that have been sold through them -- and sometimes, they're even unlocked out of the gate. Apple has thrown out a handy guide to the relative scruples of carriers around the world, ranging from Mobistar Belgium -- where the phone you buy can be used on any carrier you like -- to our own aforementioned AT&T, where only the good folks at the iPhone Dev Team can save you. Of course, you pay more when the phone comes unlocked, so, you know, pick your poison.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Oh, snap! Out of seemingly nowhere, Google has revealed the Android Dev Phone 1, a SIM- and hardware-unlocked G1 designed to be sold exclusively to hard working developers. The handset ships with a system image that's fully compatible with Android 1.0, and obviously, it complies with any SIM card and can "flash custom Android builds that will work with the unlocked bootloader." In other words, the mobile should seriously appeal to devs who live far, far away from areas blanketed with T-Mobile coverage. In order to get one, you must first register as an Android developer on the Android Market site (which involves a one-time $25 setup fee); once you're in, you simply surf over and nail the "Purchase" link. For $399 (including free shipping in the US of A), this swanky G1 -- custom back and all -- can be yours, and it's scheduled to ship in 18 international markets soon. Would it be too much to yell "snap!" again?

[Thanks, Ryan]

If you've been itching to get your GPS on but weren't feelin' the $9.99 monthly charge for VZ Navigator, today is a good day. Verizon 8330 Curve and 8130 Pearl devices have finally been (somewhat) decrippled, as users over at HowardForums are reporting that the GPS in the aforementioned devices started working once they applied the 4.5.0.97 update. As this is an unreleased firmware version, we're unsure if this was an intentional measure, or simply an epic mistake. But one thing we're sure about is that if Verizon does shut this down in the next firmware update, the backlash will surely be enough to whip up one heck of a Storm. Unfortunately at this point, it's only working in BlackBerry Maps, while Google Maps is left out of the party; but hey, we'll take whatever we can get.

[Image via Boy Genius Report, thanks Nate]

Uh oh -- closing holes is all well and good, but it looks like Apple may have closed one too many holes in the iPhone's firmware this time around. In a possible attempt to discourage intrepid iPhone unlockers, it seems like the bigwigs in Cupertino accidentally relocked some legitimately unlocked units. Users in Apple's support forums report have been having mixed results, with some users no worse for the wear and others only able to make emergency calls. So if you've got an unlocked iPhone (and would prefer not to have to ship it to Vietnam) maybe you should resist the urge to hit that update button until this situation gets sorted out. Either way, be sure to sound off in the comments if you've got an unlocked iPhone and have successfully (or unsuccessfully) upgraded.

[Via IntoMobile and iPhoneAtlas]

Most would-be iPhone 3G unlockers are impatiently waiting for an easy software solution that's been in the works since release day, but in some parts of the world, entrepreneurs are taking matters into their own hands. Enter Vietnam's Tuan Anh Do, who employs a team of some 30 technicians diligently tearing iPhones and iPhone 3Gs apart to remove the baseband chips, reprogram them, and solder them back into place at a charge of about $80. Considering that the end result is a totally carrier-unlocked device, the cost could be perceived as reasonable by some Vietnamese who desperately want an iPhone on the domestic carrier of their choice -- but there's the ever-present risk of re-locking, which 2.2 conveniently does. Of course, that just means more business for Do, who charges another $50 to unlock re-locked handsets. All told, probably not a business model Apple would approve of -- but it's pretty awesome that a single handset has given rise to an entire cottage industry.

[Thanks, JagsLive]

Here on Thanksgiving Eve, we've got two juicy Storm tidbits sure to make your Turkey Day that much more interesting. For starters, one fellow over on HoFo has purportedly unlocked his touchscreen BlackBerry for use on T-Mobile's GSM network. Hot, right? The process involved sourcing a SIM unlock code from VZW, then updating the phone with software intended for the Bold. If you're not confused yet, you'll also need a dash of Elvish magic and a bit of luck, but you should know that you can't tap into T-Mob's 2G voice network and Verizon's 3G data network at the same time. Next up, the Boy Genius has it on authority that two firmware updates are but weeks away, both of which will target some of the many issues that early adopters have been harping on since launch day. Hit the links below for more details on everything.

Read - Storm unlocked for T-Mobile [Via SlashGear]
Read - Storm updates [Via SlashGear]

It was inevitable, was it not? T-Mobile's G1 lasted an entire week as the T-Mobile G1; now, it's really anyone's G1. Thanks to the kids over at Unlock T-Mobile G1, any owner with a few spare moments and $22.99 can open their handset up for use on AT&T or any other GSM network across the globe. Reportedly, prospective unlockers simply hand over the aforementioned cash and their IMEI code (scary, we know), and in return they receive an eight-digit unlock code that frees it from the bonds of T-Mobile. Initial tests have shown that calling and texting work just fine on non-native networks, but the inability to even login to Gmail (and thus, the Android Market, etc.) puts a real damper on things. No worries -- we're sure those minor hindrances will be worked out in short order. A video full of proof is waiting just beyond the break.

[Via Android Community]