How to unlock the iPhone (3Gs)

On a recent India trip, wanted to use my iPhone 3Gs handset with my local india number. Tried ‘googling’ the usual unlocking methods but somehow could not get the steps right(Later realised that i needed to download the ipsw file). Eventually, I found a kind and helpful soul on Craiglist/Bangalore who sent me a simple step-by-step process to get the job done.

Apparently, there are a lot of hacks out there who charge money to unlock your iPhone. Sumeet Gandhi is not one of them. Infact, his motive is pretty simple. He wants to create an iPhone users community in Bangalore and by helping more people unlock their phones, the reasoning is that the community will increase. Pretty neat.

Outlined below is the process you need to follow if you need to unlock the iPhone 3Gs (basedband 15.04.02). All credits due to Sumeet and the respective sites from where some of the screenshots are taken.

And ofcourse to the Dev Team. They are the original rockstars

Note: Whatever you may do, DONT ever pay any of the sites which come up first on google search for the unlocking software. They will charge you a bunch of money and send you software which has been developed by the Dev Team and is freely available on the net. If you do feel a need to spend money, send it to some charity along with a postcard to the Dev Team as they don’t accept donations.

Hack along.

1. iPhone2,1_4.2.1_8C148a_Restore.ipsw (Download Here). This is ipsw for ios 4.2.1. Size – 410951 KB

2. Itunes version 10.0 or greater.

3. Redsnow redsn0w_win_0.9.6b5 (Download Here). There might be a wait time of few seconds once done then the download link will appear. Size around 10.5 MB

4. Once all is downloaded turn off your iphone. (Push power button for few seconds and then slide the red slider).

5. Set the compatibility mode of Redsnow to windows xo sp3 by right click and properties.

6. Now connect your switched off iphone to your machine. Keep it switched off don’t turn it on.

7. Then click start program within the compatibility mode window.

8. The redsnow window will appear browse to ipsw file.

9.

10. After Redsn0w identifies the IPSW, click ” Next “.

11.

12. Now choose the ” Install Cydia ” and ” Install iPad baseband ” options and click ” Next “.

13.

14. Accept the warning by clicking ” Yes “.

15. Now go into recovery mode by pressing the power and buttons for 10 seconds and then release the power button, but keep holding the home button until the iOS 4.2.1 jailbreak process begins.

16.

17. Wait till Redsn0w finish the iOS 4.2.1 jailbreak process.

18. Once done follow the below process for unlocking

19. Launch Cydia.

20. Choose the ” Manage ” tab at the bottom.

21. Choose the ” Sources ” option.

22. Tap the ” Edit ” button and then on the ” Add ” button.

23. Then add the source ” http://repo666.ultrasn0w.com “.

24.

25. After the source is added, search for ” ultrasn0w 1.2 ” in Cydia.

26.

27. Install the Ultrasn0w 1.2 app to unlock iOS 4.2.1 firmware.

28. Restart your iPhone.

29. That’s it! Now you have an unlocked your iPhone 3G / 3GS running iOS 4.2.1.

Aloft

Aloft…a new chain of hotels with a very distinctive (multi colored gradient) design…i booked here primarily because i wanted to see the interiors…and i wasnt disappointed…

Apart from a very fresh look, its got a pool table, a Nintendo Wii, a bar open till 12:00 am and a very pleasant outdoor area by the pool…and not only does it have very well thought out design elements but the staff are also exceptionally polite (not something the other chains can claim)

Def better than the Holiday Inns / Courtyard’s and the rest of the business traveller brat pack…so the next time you are travelling, give it a shot

Roberto’s Speedy Cabs

Roberto owns a cab company which i occasionally use for cabs to the airport. He is polite, punctual and his cars are nice and clean.

On my last trip to the airport, he asked me the name of the cologne i was wearing..

Hugo Boss !! was my short reply before i got on the phone..Nice perfume was his reply.

Today, he asked me the same question. Since i was wearing HB again, i told him so..

“Very nice perfume”, he replied in his thick Italian accent.

For a moment, i was wondering if he was just being nice or if he genuinely liked perfumes (or maybe i was wearing too much of it…)

We got talking and after he told about me how he was separated from his wife but they still run the business together, how she likes to shop and women in NYC are ‘difficult’, a case of suicide near my apartment bldg, how not to have kids coz when they come, you can forget about travel, etc etc, he casually asked if i was coming back the same day….

I was returning the same evening and he offered to pick me up.

By this time, we had reached the airport and when I offered him my credit card, he did something which i hadnt expected.

He asked me to pay when i returned later in the evening…and asked me to give him a call when i left from Boston. He would be there.

My flight was delayed by 3 hours but he was there, waiting on the curb…

Well, its normal for limo companies to pick up people but then, he also offered to let me have a smoke in the cab

Well incase you are wondering where this post is leading to… Customer Service in America is pretty shodddy, so Roberto’s attitude (and actions ) were a refreshing change…

Dont know if this will continue when the economy bounces back and business is good as usual (with the result that service quality will tank)…

Hope it does and till then, will continue to call Roberto for my early morning jaunts to the airport.

Incase you live in the Jersey City / Queens area, he can be reached at the following numbers 201 892 5182 / 201 726 2921

Attitude matters !

Got a haircut today. Paid $25 for it. Am pissed off( Or rather was..)

And no, its not because it paid 25 bucks for a stupid haircut…

It was because of the attitude of the barber. He just didnt care and was very ‘off handed’ if you know what i mean..dont think i am ever going back there…