News

Blacksn0w RC2 is now available for those looking to unlock their iPhones running firmware 3.1.3. Beware however, this will not work with the latest baseband version 05.12.07. If you've updated your iPhone to 3.1.3 using Apple's official firmware you are out of luck.

Those updating their jailbroken device to iPhone OS 3.1.3 using PwnageTool 3.1.5 have taken advantage of Apple's battery fixes without altering the baseband from its current unlockable version, 05.11.07. In this case you can now download blacksn0w RC2 from Cydia.

Next time you load up iTunes and enter the App Store, Apple will ask you to accept new terms and conditions. This happens pretty often, but the changes in question now include the ability to send "Gifts" of apps to your iPhone-toting friends and family.

Sending gifts with iTunes was previously limited to music and video only. The options when clicking on an iPhone app for purchase now read, Gift This App, Add to Wish List, Tell a Friend, Copy Link, Share on Facebook, Share on Twitter.

How can I jailbreak and unlock my iPhone? This used to be a simple question with very few answers. Now that there are so many different models floating around determining the answer is more complicated. Add in multiple combinations of baseband, firmware and boot loader on this hardware and figuring out which solution will work can become very confusing.

A new resource on the web seeks to change everything by organizing all known jailbreak and unlock solutions in one place, along with tutorials and other information. The iPhone & iTouch Jailbreak / Unlock Matrix has all of the answers you seek including a place for users to post comments.

Microsoft has released version 1.1 of its popular Bing search tool for the iPhone. The daily image and trivia features pop up on the home screen after launching the app, and users can use voice commands to search the web or maps. Image search allows for quick previews of images and can save to the camera roll directly.

The update adds bug fixes, usability improvements, and more features. Searches and sites can be bookmarked or shared. Bing will now use location services to find nearby search results. Microsoft has added iPod Touch compatibility and SafeSearch settings with passcode protection. iPhone owners have already downloaded over one million copies of the app since it first launched in November.

The iPhone is about to get a new web browser. That is, if Apple approves Opera Mini for distribution in the App Store. Opera Software ASA has announced that an iPhone version of its efficient web browser will be submitted for approval very soon.

The project is said to be only weeks away from completion, and would bring Opera Mini to yet another mobile platform. The company has already released its software for Android, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices. In January, Opera Mini surpassed 50 million unique monthly users.