iPhone 3GS

Apple's rumored low-cost iPhone could feature a "chassis mixed with plastic and metal" instead of the reinforced glass or unibody metal used for the current models, according to a report by the DigiTimes.

Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal both claim Apple is working on a $99 to $149 “entry-level” iPhone to "attract customers in developing nations". It also believed the more affordable iPhone will be made available in the U.S. sometime this year.

Previous rumors have suggested that the new iPhone will feature components from older models, a 5-inch display and a new exterior design. The possible older components and plastic body would help Apple keep the cost down for the new model.

The iPhone Dev-Team has released redsn0w version 0.9.15b1. The update brings a lot of changes for restoring to older firmware. It also now includes Cydia for the tethered iOS 6 jailbreak on A4 devices. iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 owners can learn how to jailbreak their devices running iOS 6 by clicking here.

The changelog has a lot of information. The Dev-Team suggests visiting the comments section on their blog if you're confused or have any questions. This is also where you can get the download links for redsnn0w v.0.9.15b1.

"We realize there’s a lot of info in this post. If you’re at all confused about things remember to visit our comments section, with our very helpful user base and moderators like dhlizard, Frank55, 41willys, and slavakulikoff."

After three years of service, Apple is planning to retire the iPhone 3GS after next week's iPhone 5 announcement. This is according to a report in The Telegraph, which explains that Apple will discontinue the device and offer a reduced-price iPhone 4 with 8GB of storage instead.

iPhone 3GS stocks have been running low. 9to5Mac even received word that Apple warned its Genius Bar staff about the issue. Rumor has it that some lucky customers are getting an iPhone 4 in exchange for their broken iPhone 3GS at stores that no longer have replacements on hand.

Even though the next-generation iPhone will be the sixth smartphone released by Apple, it's still being called the "iPhone 5" by most Apple fans. It's almost like Apple users have already forgotten about the disappointing iPhone 4S and its even bigger disappointment Siri. This is probably why the iPhone 5 is expected to enjoy record sales this holiday season. Many longtime Apple users skipped the iPhone 4S in anticipation of a 2012 iPhone 5 release. This means a lot of iPhone owners will be coming off two-year carrier contracts when the iPhone 5 becomes available in the fall. And there are also the iPhone 4S owners who have already dumped their devices for the iPhone 5. That adds up to a lot of people waiting for a new iPhone.

The hoopla surrounding the iPhone 5 is carryover from last year's next generation rumors. Dreams of a tear-dropped shaped iPhone may be gone, but the new iPhone is still expected to receive a complete body makeover. Part leaks have shown that the new iPhone could feature a chrome-plated metal frame and 8-pin dock connector. The iPhone 5 is also rumored to be 2mm thinner than the iPhone 4S, and to feature a 4-inch, 16:9 screen. The current models feature a 3.5-inch display.

Apple promised a lot of new features for all iOS devices thanks to iOS 6, however, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 owners are being left out in the cold when it comes to the new Apple-developed Maps software. Pocket-Lint noticed some fine print foolery at the bottom of Apple's Maps page. It reads: “Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later.”

There is more bad news for iPhone 3GS owners. The device will not be receiving VIP List, Flagged Smart mailboxes, FaceTime and Offline reading. It's safe to assume that the iPhone 3GS will be discontinued in the fall when Apple is expected to announce their next-generation smartphone. However, iPhone 4 owners may be feeling a little burned by iOS 6 after its release.

The Dev Team released redsn0w version 0.9.12b2 on Friday. The update fixes the iPhone 3GS iBooks issue, and gives users a rocky-racoon injection option.

From the Dev Team's website:

"Update #1: Starting with version 0.9.12b2, redsn0w will now explicitly ask users with limera1n-able devices whether they want to inject rocky-racoon using the DFU ramdisk method, or the backup/restore method (the ramdisk method is better for those with lots of media on their device that would create very large backups, and it’s required for those with unactivated iPhones). If you’ll always want to use limera1n, you can select that in the Preferences pane. It also fixes an iBooks issue on old-bootrom 3GS iPhones, and provides more useful error messages when things go wrong.”

Pod2g is only a few days away from releasing the first untethered jailbreak for iOS 5.1.1. The iOS hacker tweeted: "Thanks to awesome work of @planetbeing and @pimskeks, we're near ready for a release. Now it's a matter of days." Pod2g previously announced that "something big" was going to happen at the Hack In The Box security conference in Amsterdam.

Pod2g recently added the iPhone 3GS and iPod 3G to the list of supported devices. The AppleTV 3 is currently the only device that will not be supported. The Chronic Dev Team will release the jailbreak tool when it's ready for the public.

iOS developer pod2g is only a "couple of weeks" away from releasing his new jailbreak for iOS 5.1.1. He previously announced that he had successfully tested the jailbreak on the original iPad, iPad 2, new iPad, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Meaning that the iPod 3G, iPhone 3GS and ATV3 would not be supported. On Friday, pod2g announced that both the iPod 3G and iPhone 3GS will be compatible with the new jailbreak.

"Good news. We've found a way through for iPod 3G and iPhone 3Gs users. Upcoming jailbreak will be compatible."

There was also some confusion over what iPad models would be supported, but it seems safe to assume that the iOS 5.1.1 untethered jailbreak will work with every version of the iPad. Pod2g hasn't officially tested the iPhone 3GS, or non-Wi-Fi iPads yet, but he has said that they "should work." Read on for his complete list of tested devices for the upcoming jailbreak.

Apple told third party iOS developers that they can only submit Retina display screenshots for their iPhone and iPod apps. This not only signals the end of the 480×320 app, but it could be the first sign that Apple plans to discontinue the iPhone 3GS when the next generation iPhone is released.

It's safe to assume that the iPhone 4 will eventually replace the iPhone 3GS as the low device on the totem pole. This will make 480×320 resolution apps obsolete. Many believed the iPhone 3GS was going to be discontinued last year, but the delay of the iPhone 5 allowed Apple to keep it around to compete in the low-end smartphone market for the holidays.

Thanks to pod2g and the iPhone Dev-Team it's now possible to jailbreak the iPhone 4 and all models of the Phone 3GS untethered. Although iPhone 4S and iPad 2 owners are still waiting for an A5 jailbreak, all iOS devices running iOS 5.0.1 with A4 hardware can now be jailbroken untethered. This includes the original iPad, iPod touch 3G and iPod touch 4G.

Using redsn0w to jailbreak is a straightforward process, and will install the Cydia app store on your device. This opens up a whole new world of tweaks and apps to improve your iPhone experience and customize operation. Be sure that before you proceed with the instructions, you have installed the iOS 5.0.1 firmware update.