iPhoneSIMfree shows us demo of iPhone unlock app, back end -- now due Monday
By Ryan Block 
posted September 7th 2007 4:31PM
posted September 7th 2007 4:31PM
Today iPhoneSIMfree also sent a couple of publications (including this one) a demo version of their unlock app and trial access to their back end reseller tool. The demo software and reseller tool do not yet actually unlock phones since iPhoneSIMfree hasn't yet flipped the switch on the activation service end. But as proof that their end-user app does exist, the demo app shown here coursed through its normal routines (about 3-5 minutes start to finish) to show us what an unlock should be like.
Their reseller backend tool, which we also have shots of, allows bulk purchasers of iPhoneSIMfree unlocks to add customers' IMEIs to the unlock whitelist. Once added, apparently resellers merely have to just provide their customers the unlock app, which initiates the remote unlock service -- the whole thing is a little like Windows Activation where only whitelisted IMEIs can proceed with unlocking. Naturally, we documented all this on an iPhone -- but again, to be clear, the iPhoneSIMfree app that was sent out won't unlock iPhones. That all supposedly goes down on Monday.
I wonder how long it'll take AT&T to send them another friendly cease and desist letter.
So, if I understand this correctly, if this works, I can buy an unlock license from them, then go get a SIM Card from T Mobile connected to an account with data, and then use that in my iPhone just as if I was using ATT?
I was all for the iPhone until the touch was announced. Now it doesn't make too much sense to go through all the trouble to unlock the phone--especially if you're already with another carrier. Obviously, for those with an iPhone its cool--I just want to make that clear.
For those of us yet to purchase, having all the features available and an extra 8Gs make the iPhone "unnecessary" in light of the touch. The market for unlocking the iPhone just got exponentially smaller.
Yes and no. This hack (allegedly) does more than just turn the iPhone into a glorified 8GB iPod Touch. It allows you to use it as a phone with any other GSM carrier.
@Tom: I think that's exactly what the point is. For people that already have phones, why bother paying so much just to get another phone, when you can a) use your current phone AND b)get the 16GB Touch? I know i've already got a pretty nice phone, and the iPhone doesn't have many "OMG!" features that aren't found in the Touch and a decent mid-range cell phone, aside from integrating the two and making you work to avoid an AT&T contract.
iPhone has bluetooth and a camera. Even without those, I'm much more likely to carry my phone around than a mp3 player. Having the phone built-in to the player is killer. It's all about convergence.
These guys SOLD THEIR COMPANY ALREADY:
http://digg.com/apple/iPhoneSIMfree_purchased_Undisclosed_Buyer_and_Amount
I'm guessing they sold it to AT&T :)
Yeah whatever! This is freakin ridiculous... at first they said they will be selling individual licenses in 3 days...and then they decided not to...
they keep going back on their promises...
so yeah, can't trust...no thank you.
p.s. if you are overseas: call your Apple dealer and ask him when iPhone is coming... they should be able to tell
Anyone can make a few mockup screens. Come on.
iphonesimfree.blogspot
try this blog
The great thing about this is everyone seems to think apple actually gives two shits about a program like this. Were I apple, I would have leaked it myself! They're locked into an exclusive contract with AT&T, which means they have to make them officially support their network only, but "Whoops, someone made a program that circumvents this exclusive contract, well, suppose we should probably stop that!" or wait, maybe they should let it go and sell even more iphones to customers who dont want AT&Ts craptastic network.
Apple might be contractually bound to attempt to stop unlocking. Not to mention that Apple gets a cut of the contract, so it is also in their own interest.
As for craptastic network. If you were Apple, which carrier would you choose? The other US GSM carriers are on average as bad or worse than AT&T.
So if i already have a cingular/att phone, i go buy the iPhone, swap in the sim card from my current phone and then unlock it, i would be able to use the iPhone just like that? Is that the whole point? Do i still need to sign up for the data plan?
Thanks!
There's a free way to do that, just for at&t sims....google is your friend
Meh, when someone manages to unlock an iPhone and 3G enable, then give me a call. Until then, I'm off to tend to the BBQ.
enable 3G? 3G is HARDWARE! It's like saying, "Install Wifi using an app" when there is no hardware built in!
I tried to keep my post short, but this has obviously led to confusion.
My intention was to state that I would only show interest in an iPhone unlocking service if this service were to also enable said iPhone to become 3G network capable, obviously through modification of the hardware as well as the then necessary software modifications - otherwise it would be like installing a WiFi card in ones PC, but not the software necessary in order for the PC to utilise this hardware addition.
In my previous statement the term 'enable' therefore covered the necessity of both software AND hardware alterations/additions. I did not set out with the intention of causing confusion or frustration through a perceived lack of technological literacy, and for this I apologise.
Twitchy,
do you seriously expect someone to be able to come up with a 3G hw+sw mod for the iPhone? This is not a Tivo or Xbox. For starters, where would you make space for the 3G module and antenna. Not to mention rewiring the PCB.
"through a perceived lack of technological literacy"
How about a lack of technical common sense?
? The comment was satirical. Perhaps it will help if I write it in all caps: I HAVE NO INTEREST IN AN UNLOCKED iPHONE ('i' intentionally left in lower caps) AS IT IS 3G FUNCTIONALITY WHICH I CRAVE.
Does anyone know if this method could work with verizon wireless in the US? Also can you by pass the activation on itunes without an valid ATT subscription?
Yes it will work 100% with Verizon and Sprint, even visual voice mail will work! And yeah the Activation is merely optional if you hold down Alt + F4 once you have opened iTunes
I'll wait for the hackers to hack that. Apple is notorious for keeping things the way they want. Considering the 5 year contract and ATT having to bend over backwards to get the iPhone, Apple will have no choice but to re-lock unlocked iPhones in system updates. Even if this unlock is real, it won't be permanent or would be uunlockers would have to keep paying this company to get unlocks once re-locked by Apple.
Sorry but this isn't coming, so don't get your hopes up.
The company, iPhoneSIMfree has been sold to AT&T
http://mashable.com/2007/09/07/iphonesimfree-acquired/
where does it say anywhere that iphonesimfree was bought by att, att most likely wouldn't waste there money buying a company for whatever when they can change things in an update. It probably was a large euro unlocking company.
All you naysayers, Gizmodo demonstrated and confirmed that this indeed works. Video of the entire process, complete with test call at the end using a t-mobile sim: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/apple/iphone-software-unlock-confirmed-on-video-297651.php
Okay, so finally a reason for us international customers to rejoice ?
If so, I'll try to get my hands on the iPhone to be used here in India.
No Apple does not want India to get the iphone.
Instead they are offering the iCoconut
which is two coconut shells and a long string.
Good one count... LOL very very much.....
Do Engadget even have the actual unlock .app? If so, and if they have sold to AT&T, accidentally slipping that file to some able/willing hackers could prove very handy to many iPhone holders. All the unlock code will most likely be stored in the app file, transmitting it would be sniffable (unless encrypted etc, but even then the decryption key would be in the app). So then people would have to reverse engineer their .app and write their own without all the licencing bullshit and let that "slip" onto the net. Once something is on the net, it's incredibly hard to stop if there's enough support behind it. Anyone remember 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0? It could become a similar situation.
Seems like a very good hack ! no hack for the iphone but a very good hack to get money quick and simply !
Can you buy this when it come sout online?
will this mean that i can use an iphone with sprint?
so if i have sprint and unlock the iphone, will all the features work and services form my plan? (data, texting and wifi)?
1. No matter what Sprint won't work with an iphone, its a cdma carrier, the iphone is gsm.
2. Apple may get into legal problems if they relock a phone thats been unlocked. In the US and many other countries its legal to do this.
3. Apple doesn't have to support the iphone after you unlock it and use it on another service.
No it will only work with phones that are GSM
This leaves out all Sprint, Verizon, or phones that use CDMA.
No it only works with GSM phones (T-Mobile, Cingular & AT&T) Phones that use CDMA do not work like Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular.
And what's the problem with AT&T? I think that people should respect that Apple and AT&T made an agreement...
at&t sucks
their service is horrible and they over charge you for everything.
I saw the podcast or show when the iPhone was released (and have seen the same way of talking in all the other presentations) When the person/CEO/Chairman of a company that will work with apple for their products they can't seem to convice me that they want to screw the end customer with high bills and/or screwed up services (AT&T, as an example) the way these people talk and look just makes me sick.
As for the iPhonesimfree software, like my daddy use to say: Seeing is believing... I wonder how much time it will take to have their software cracked (maybe that's why they haven't released it), a cruel irony that would be a hacker being hacked??? hahahahaha lol.
Runours have it iPhoneSimFree have been acquired for an undisclosed amount, not sure if this is true.
They did get alot of publicity we were also one of the first to publish the article on them so it is not surprising http://www.whichwebsite.com/2007/Aug/iPhone_unlocking_software.html
visit www.WhichWebsite.com for all the latest 'Website' related News and Reviews.
:/ I use an unlocked Nokia N95, but honestly this news doesn't do much for me...
I predict that Monday will come and a reply will be made that another delay from this company for some odd reasoning.
Let's see if I am correct.
Well, It is Monday, they are based out of Africa or San Marino, and the web site is still with the same old message from Friday. I guess this doesn't exist.
I so hope that some other software unlock comes out before they did..
It costs $100 to unlock your iphone?
http://www.wirelessimports.com/Store/Catalog/Detail.aspx?productId=819
I hope some competition comes along.
i buyed iphone but i see nothing.
if i buy iphonesimfree software can i use my country.
i never activation just buyed iphone.
(sorry my bad english)
"The comment was satirical."
I think you need to reread the definition of satire. For an example of this art that unfortunately seems to escape your grasp, go read Swift's 'A Modest Proposal'.
In addition, ALL CAPS is generally a sign of caffeine abuse and not a hallmark of satire.