iPhone Software

Apple's newest update for the iPhone, firmware version 1.1.1 has been released and includes a long list of feature additions, bug fixes, and security enhancements. As always, the new firmware can be installed on your iPhone via the iPhone "check for updates" button in iTunes.

As previously reported, Apple has made it quite clear that applying the update to a modified or "hacked" iPhone can cause permanent and irreparable harm to the device which will NOT be covered under and Apple warranty. if you have performed ANY type of unauthorized modifications to your iPhone (custom ringtones, jailbreaking, custom software, and especially unlocking), make sure to read on and/or research the new update before applying it.

As most everyone knows by now, Apple's official stance of not allowing third party software to be developed for the iPhone hasn't done much to stop it. At the time of writing this article, there are already third party IM clients, an iPhone OS X terminal, spanking new GPS software, and much much more. Though third party software packages have been streaming in by the dozens, initially there was little structure to development.

Things are changing. As developers collaborate and as more and more applications are introduced and delivered to users through methods which keep getting simpler and simpler, an informal set of standards is blossoming.

In an attempt to provide structure where Apple has not, Lucas Newman - developer of the first native iPhone game, Lights Off - has just released an Unofficial iPhone SDK. The SDK and guide provide

There has been a great deal of skepticism at numerous reports iPhoneFAQ has published which have revealed a couple of different ways to add GPS to the iPhone without hardware changes, either via the addition of a GPS chip embedded on a SIM card or by utilization of the E-911 mandated positioning abilities native to the iPhone. Regardless, news out of Engadget this morning has revealed that the latter method is now being used effectively to provide GPS abilities on the iPhone via third party software provided by a company named Navizon. The best news? It's free.

Well, sort of. It's a rough implementation of A-GPS. A-GPS is assisted global positioning that can be accomplished using a handful of different methods. One of these methods does not require a GPS chip

Apple released iTunes 7.4.2 earlier today, officially geared towards addressing an "issue with creating ringtones using iTunes Plus song purchases and includes bug fixes to improve stability and performance," according to Apple's release notes. For many users, however, the update seems to have made matters worse.

Though still an early beta, a GUI version of the iUnlock software is now available. Released yesterday, the iUnlock software provides a completely free Apple iPhone software unlock solution comparable to pay solution such as iPhoneSIMFree which can cost upwards of $100. This latest GUI version, Unlock.app, greatly simplifies the original iUnlock process.

With Unlock.app, the steps to unlock the iPhone have been reduced from around 20 steps to 3. Using