iDongle hardware iPhone jailbreak tool makes hacker life a little simpler

If you needed any more proof that Apple's lame cat-and-mouse game with the iPhone jailbreak community has only served to increase the scene's resourcefulness and creativity, look no further than the iDongle, a slick piece of hacker-made hardware that can jailbreak and activate an iPhone 3GS or iPod touch running OS 3.1.2 just by plugging it into the dock connector. What's more, it allows a jailbroken iPhone to be rebooted away from a computer, which is currently a problem for on-the-go hackers -- just stick this guy in your bag and you'll be good to go. There's only a dozen prototypes right now, but pre-orders are being accepted to raise funds for production -- we've got a feeling quite a few people are going to be interested. Video after the break.

[Philster Posted Mar 11th 2010 6:41PM]

I'm guessing the shelf life for a device like will be less than a year. But I'll definitely buy one if the price is right.

... Or how about a built in batter charger!

[RF9 Posted Mar 11th 2010 6:44PM]

The iPhone in this video has screen that I've never seen before. What kind of SW is this running and how do we know it'll run on stock 3.1.2?
Unfortunately, a hardware device to unlock 3.1.2 doesn't do it for me unless the device is upgradable to handle future iPhone OS versions.
I don't want to stay on 3.1.2 forever. But if it can do a tethered JB reboot on an already JB'd device with a future ver, then it's still worthwhile.

[SEscobedo Posted Mar 11th 2010 7:02PM]

@davidmuful

I want you to slap yourself right now just for asking that questions. Just to make Steve Jobs pissed he can't stop jailbreaking is a good enough reason to jailbreak. Jailbreaking is for people who like customization. To be different then the rest of the mindless idiots who walk around in. To be able to free yourself from Apple's tyrany and darth vader like kung fu grip. Apple wants us to think and be different. We are just merely giving them what they want.

[beyondthetech Posted Mar 11th 2010 8:42PM]

I've never jailbroken my 3GS, but I have to admit, this is damn cool.

[FiveGallonBucket Posted Mar 11th 2010 8:43PM]

Pop one of these things in the floor models at the Apple store. It's like the firmware 1.x tap to jailbreak all over again.

[R4F4 Posted Mar 11th 2010 10:15PM]

do you have 4 heads?? or you're a drug dealer heee

http://blog.iphone-dev.org/

[schultz Posted Mar 11th 2010 10:26PM]

all this jailbreaking talk gives me a thought... if you can run multiple apps on a jailbroken iphone.. can we jailbreak an iPad and make it useful by multitasking?

Hackers... make it happen.

[AndreyATGB Posted Mar 12th 2010 12:55AM]

Cool. But I don't reboot it. The only times I reboot my 3GS is when it crashes to the apple logo or install something that needs it. I haven't rebooted now for about 3 weeks..(it crashed)

[Thor e Posted Mar 12th 2010 2:56AM]

It would be easier if they just switched over to Android or WebOS and better all around.

[Stiig Posted Mar 12th 2010 4:19AM]

I had no idea Apple had ruined the newest model phones with this, what happens if im out and in a meeting so turn my phone off? Thats it no more phone/email for the day? Epic

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 12th 2010 5:14AM]

Oh great another company for Apple to sue.

[StrikeFreedomMeister Posted Mar 12th 2010 5:26AM]

I want to thank all the iPhone hacking community for sticking it to Apple & showing them up. Anything made by a man can be hacked by another man. Or a woman for that matter. Apple's vice grip on control is facing a very public backlash not only from Android but the iPhone/iPod hackers everywhere. I think it's just a matter of time before it becomes the iPhone/iPod/iPad jail-breaking community.

[kepone Posted Mar 12th 2010 4:58PM]

They need to make one of these for 3.1.3 or 3.2 when it comes out , making one for 3.1.2 has a very limited user base only since only certain 3GS's have the tethered jailbreak issue. Mine does not.