News

Now jailbroken iPhones can be unlocked for use on other carriers using the SAM (Subscriber Artificial Module) package. The process works with the GSM iPhone 4 and 4S running iOS 5 and equipped with any baseband. This means that users looking to unlock their devices for use on a different carrier don't have to wait until they're out of contract.

The unlock comes thanks to Chinese iPhone developer Loktar_Sun. The SAM package can be installed by first adding the source repo.bingner.com to Cydia on a jailbroken iPhone. For instructions on how to add a repository to Cydia click here.

In case you missed it, the jailbreak-like application Bluetooth OnOff is still available in the iTunes App Store. Even though the app seems to be in violation of Apple's App Store guidelines, it has managed to survive for six days now. It's unknown whether Apple will pull the app or let it remain, but to be safe, you should probably act quickly.

Bluetooth OnOff offers a simple solution to one of the biggest iPhone complaints -- the ability to activate and deactivate your bluetooth easily. Normally a user must navigate to Settings/General/Bluetooth/Toggle to switch their bluetooth on or off. This application saves you time by allowing you to toggle your bluetooth settings just by launching the app. It also offers some kind of bluetooth chat option, but most iPhone owners will only be interested in the simple toggle feature.

The iPhone Dev Team quietly released redSn0w 0.9.10b7 for Mac and Windows on Friday. The new version features a few improvements like the addition of the Corona A5 untethered jailbreak for the iPhone 4S and iPad 2. Version 0.9.10b7 also includes a re-install feature for jailbreakers who accidently uninstall the untether, and it can pull your SHSH blobs from the Cydia Store when injecting an IPSW.

RedSn0w 0.9.10b7 also supplies new information about your device. For example the Dev Team blog says it lets you know "whether your iPhone 3GS has the vulnerable baseband boot loader, or whether your iPhone 3GS has the old exploitable bootrom." The Dev Team also noted that "the next new feature to be added will be built-in restore support, to provide an alternative to iTunes restores."

Too many notifications popping up on your iPhone lock screen? If your device is jailbroken, there's an easy way to clear iOS notifications without unlocking. ClearLockNotifications is a simple tweak that adds more functionality to the lock screen without complexity.

There are no icons or settings for ClearLockNotifications once installed. The first way to clear your lock screen notifications is to touch and drag down on the lock screen. When dragging down to clear notifications, the text "Pull down to clear" will appear over the clock.

The number one question I get asked about the iPhone 4S is... "How's Siri?" I never have a good answer, since I hate to deter people from buying the iPhone 4S because she can't comprehend my mumbling. Siri is great when she understands me, but due to my slight lisp and inability to talk clearly, we have a love-hate relationship. I can forget about asking Siri to "skip songs." Too many "ssss" sounds. I can handle asking Siri about the "weather" because it only requires one word. Too bad that I rarely care about the weather. I'm also embarrassed to talk to my iPhone like it's a person in public, especially when I normally have to ask two or three times.

Siri seems great for people who can talk clearly and want to use their iPhone while driving. If you have already pre-programmed their address into your contacts, asking for directions to your friend's house must be a cinch. Even if it's not that easy, at least you're in the comfort of your own car. Asking Siri for directions while walking down a crowded NYC or Philly sidewalk is awkward and never seems to work for me. Trying to keep up with the fast moving traffic of busy people while yelling "directions to so-and-so's house" at my phone seems hazardous to my health. And now, to make things even worse, Apple has made my Siri disability even more embarrassing by releasing two commercials starring Samuel L. Jackson and Zooey Deschanel.