Video of the iPhone Pwned project in action

Those crafty kids on the iPhone Dev Team have already hacked the 2.0 firmware, but now they're getting ready to release the oh-so-creatively-named PWNED tool, which takes iPhone hacking to the next level by patching the bootloader to let you load any firmware image you want -- even images not signed by Apple. That means custom patched firmware can now be loaded directly from iTunes, which simplifies the jailbreaking / unlocking process tremendously, and also means that a patched version of the 2.0 firmware is coming soon. We're putting the tool through its paces right now and we'll have a hands-on with it (and the Dev Team's patched 2.0 firmware) as soon as we get it all working, but check out some highlights after the break, and hit the read link for more info.

Update: Looks like PWNED / Pwned Tool / Pwnage Tool / Pwnage / whatever they're calling it is being delayed for a week. Bummer. Thanks, Neophytos.

[ScOObyDoo @ Mar 29th 2008 8:48PM]

This is a battle Apple is never going to win.

I wish they'd get the message and just release the damn thing for anyone that wants it, instead of playing Gordon Gekko and snagging revenue via the operator. It's insane that people have to pay $15 a month more on their plan just because Apple wants more money. They'd sell a hell of a lot more if they just sold them everywhere to anyone that wants one.

[UKNigel @ Mar 29th 2008 11:18PM]

Yes, they would sell more, but they wouldn't make as much money on each one. This way they don't have to worry about running out of units to sell, and they still get to milk the consumer for every penny they've got. Excellent!

[Reid @ Mar 30th 2008 12:17AM]

Yes, I feel so ripped off. My $80 a month plan with 900 rollover minutes + unlimited data is ridiculous. If only I wasn't locked into AT&T, I could go back to paying Verizon $100 a month for 900 minutes and unlimited data.

[the_fozz @ Mar 30th 2008 12:32AM]

or you could go t-mobile and get 1000minutes + unlimited data for $60 (unlimited data via t-zones + proxy)

[Chris @ Mar 30th 2008 1:59AM]

Or you could have been grandfathered into a plan like mine 1,000 mins plus free nights and weekends for $39.99 plus $5.99 for T-Zones data (all before tax). I have had it for so long now that it is month to month. I was NOT leaving T-Mobile for any phone. So for my birthday I received a 16GB iPhone. I jail broke it and unlocked it and could not be any happier!

[roflercopterer @ Mar 30th 2008 2:30AM]

You kids will never match $15 unlimited EVDO

[Nick M. @ Mar 30th 2008 11:05AM]

@ ScOObyDoo
Except there are these things called contracts. Apple in order to get some revenue kickback signed one with ATT promising iPhone exclusivity for a certain amount of years. Even if Apple "got the message", legally they would be in some bad water if they tried to act upon "the message" due to contracts.

When will people learn that "opening up" a device is not in Apple's nature (and I like Apple).

[Gee @ Mar 31st 2008 7:27PM]

Why people worry what Apple does? seriously. you don't like their rules don't buy an iPhone. They design it, manufacture it and sell it the way they want. Look at another product.

[Kevin @ Mar 29th 2008 8:48PM]

the possibilities are endless.

[nik @ Mar 29th 2008 8:52PM]

Will this break the warranty?
Might be hard to explain...

[meist3r @ Mar 29th 2008 10:08PM]

It's quite easy to explain: I want to use the full potential of the phone that I paid you multiple hundred dollars and spend ridiculous amounts of money using it on your Fascist phone network.

[Tom @ Mar 29th 2008 11:05PM]

Wow, your poor usage of the word "fascist" has completely invalidated your comment.

[Ignatius @ Mar 29th 2008 11:35PM]

Would totalitarian be a better word to describe them?

[Reid @ Mar 30th 2008 12:21AM]

meist3r,

Perhaps you and I don't shop at the same electronics stores, but the iPhone I got does everything it did the day I bought it, and more. What reason did you have to expect that the product you bought would be able to cook your soup and do your laundry in a year's time?

And why is it that the iPhone is the only cell phone that causes the rabid to include the service plan as part of the cost of the device? It seems like that would be valid if the plan was more expensive than others, but that is not the case.

[Staticoranges @ Mar 29th 2008 8:52PM]

I can't wait :D

[Timmay @ Mar 29th 2008 8:54PM]

The security code is 1,2,3,4

damn. Now i have to change the combo on my luggage...

[Dan P @ Mar 30th 2008 2:23PM]

Spaceballs, ftw! :D

[Adam @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:15AM]

You forgot the 5...

[creepinshadow @ Mar 29th 2008 8:55PM]

already saw these news 2 h ago, on hackint0sh.org!

[Carl Vitullo @ Mar 30th 2008 12:53AM]

oh man, a full two hours.

[Danny @ Mar 30th 2008 5:01PM]

So, you're saying that Engadget sucks just because it posted an article 2 hours after another blog?

Simply wow.

[creepinshadow @ Mar 30th 2008 5:45PM]

did I say that engadget sucks? NOT ONCE, that's just ur wild fantasy going thru with you. I just posted this comment as a general thought!

[Neoleeyennek @ Mar 29th 2008 8:56PM]

Now that's sticking it to apple lol

[JimReaper @ Mar 29th 2008 8:57PM]

Does any1 know what steve was saying at the end???

[mingistech @ Mar 29th 2008 9:46PM]

he was saying BOOM in russian. :)

[ahoge @ Mar 30th 2008 12:43PM]

Steve says "hi", "hello", but in a joking manner.

About the vid, I'm happy about that software, cos I want to develop games for ipod touch/iphone, but you know the situation with European and other non US developers...

[pball_inuyasha @ Mar 29th 2008 8:59PM]

surprised no one asked for a translation of the speech bubble at the end
So please what does it say?

Also I hate the Iphone, it's just fun watching the hacking of it since Apple is too stupid to let people do what they want with it
Go hackers

[pball_inuyasha @ Mar 29th 2008 9:01PM]

dang beat by comment i couldn't see yet

[Bob @ Mar 29th 2008 9:09PM]

see my post. it says Pawned at the end

[hans @ Mar 29th 2008 9:06PM]

in somewhat related news nullriver.com is down and installer.app isn't loading any sources.
hopefully it's just maintenance.

[Bob @ Mar 29th 2008 9:08PM]

my russian isn't that good but I think Steve is saying Pawned' or the literal translation Perved' at the end in the "Connect To iTunes" screen

[KoSoVaR @ Mar 29th 2008 9:10PM]

Hope you all enjoy this! :)

[Shawin @ Mar 30th 2008 7:39AM]

Waouwww...
Hmmm.... any 'free' way of getting the 1.2 or 2.0 betas?

[detunized @ Mar 29th 2008 9:14PM]

Steve says a slang version of "Hello" in Russian.

[kev @ Mar 29th 2008 9:15PM]

How long did it take before the PSP got custom firmware? Pretty soon you'll be able to search eBay for iPhones with custom firmware. Awesome.

[Reader @ Mar 29th 2008 9:18PM]

Gah, stuff like this makes me want to join the crowd and get an iPhone/Touch

[dvsbstrd @ Mar 29th 2008 9:25PM]

Will they just come out with a software unlocker so I can get this thing on T-Mobile without having to crack the thing open?

[mortzz @ Mar 29th 2008 10:09PM]

Umm, yeah those have been around for ages. iLibertyX, ZiPhone.
You are way behind the times

[suttonb1 @ Mar 29th 2008 9:27PM]

it says "превед" pronounced pr-yEv-yed a twist on "hi" to mean something like surpise...

[max654000 @ Mar 29th 2008 9:40PM]

Not that I'm taking the iPhone hacking community's work for granted. But with Apple signing a contract with a giant telcom company should actually be a good thing. Cuz, think about the price Apple would've charge for an iPhone if it was selling it unlocked. The telcom company is subsidizing us! So, in that sense: AT&T rocks! And go hackers!!

[Rob Conway @ Mar 29th 2008 11:00PM]

i was under the impression that it was NOT subsidized, hence the cost. If it was being subsidized, wouldn't ATT be offering deals like "Get an iPhone for $199 with 2 year contract!"?

[max654000 @ Mar 30th 2008 1:53PM]

Right, but considering what they charge for the "unlock" version in Europe (in France or German I forgot, and about $1000?), I think we are being somewhat subsidized. Besides, other iPhone comparable high-end smart phones are selling at above $700 (Nokia N95 8G, etc). So it may or may not be true that we are being subsidized. But thinking that we are makes me feel better, haha!

[Anubis @ Mar 30th 2008 2:37PM]

I don't think it is being subsidized because the ipod touch, which is almost the same device, and is definitively not subsidized is 100 dollars cheaper, so you are paying 100 for having bluetooth, camera, and calling.

[max654000 @ Mar 30th 2008 2:49PM]

I know they look the same, but I think the calling part makes a lot of difference in this discussion. Comparing iTouch with other high-end PMP would be more appropriate.
Think in the sense of financial multiples for firm value evaluation; the comapnies have to be at least in the same industry/ function to be comparable. But then, we are back to the long battled discussion of whether iPhone and iTouch are comparable. And in my mind, they aren't.

[Chris Aubeck @ Mar 29th 2008 9:46PM]

Does it come with the headache-inducing soundtrack or is that a separate download?

[Lotzosushi. @ Mar 29th 2008 9:59PM]

If I'm not mistaken the background song should be "Sandstorm" by Darude. It's not very headache-inducing =]

[Chris Aubeck @ Mar 29th 2008 10:08PM]

You're probably right, but to me it sounds like something from "101 Classic Keygen Melodies." I must be getting old and grumpy.

[Philster @ Mar 29th 2008 9:49PM]

Totally freaking awesome!

[Chris @ Mar 29th 2008 9:52PM]

Why isn't the name IPWNED, still great job all you hackers out there.

[mrx @ Mar 29th 2008 10:10PM]

i hope this is on windows within the next week