Thursday February 14, 2008
- The recent iPhone SIM-unlock is almost too simple - Lionel - 18:19:05
Yesterday, we tested the activation and SIM-unlockability of a new 16GB iPhone freshly landed in London.
We used iJailbreak 0.5.2.
Note that in order for this program to launch the jailbreak and SIM-unlock, it is necessary, before starting the operation, to launch iTunes, which will then be closed by the software. After that, it's more than simple. Never has it been so easy to achieve this result, which requires no intervention from the iPhone! Three minutes later, we had a unit that was activated and SIM-unlocked!
These new flaws are extremely easy (maybe too easy?) to exploit and will lead to the "resuscitation" of more iPhones than ever, at least until Apple reacts and fills vulnerabilities. We would like to remind you, however, that without unlimited Internet subscription, the iPhone loses much of its interest, having the fullness of its functions only when connected via Wi-Fi. However, functions such as the GPS/locator are often helpful in places without a Wi-Fi network connection.
[translation by CliveAtFive]
- MacBook Air's Superdrive is Restricted? - Lionel - 17:57:19
Apple is very clear on this subject. The Superdrive MacBook Air is not compatible with any other machine. We thought that this was related to a lack of power drawn from the USB ports of other Macs, and have decided to make some tests to be absolutely certain.
For this, we used a USB male-male extension cord; the second merely to collect current from a second port. Connected directly (with a single dose), the drive has been recognized as "MacBook Air Superdrive" on a Mac Pro and a MacBook Pro, but did not start. We were surprised to see that the situation remained unchanged despite using a second connector to double the power available.
To be absolutely certain, we then connected the main connector (current + data) on a MacBook Pro and the second on a MacBook Air. If the problem was related to energy, this configuration would work. However, this was not the case. Again, the DVD-writer was seen, but inoperable.
It is limited to look only for the MacBook Air.
[translation by CliveAtFive]
- Omitted functionality in 10.5.2 - Lionel - 10:40:27
Even though the 10.5.2 update has fixed many problems, one of the functions that was announced with Leopard but is still not available is using an external disc connected to Airport Extreme N devices, for backups etc.
This functionality was still available in the 10.5 betas, but has been pulled out in the released version. In fact, it appears that the backups can become corrupt, without informing the user about it.
We can only hope now that a firmware update for the device will fix this important and practical functionality, especially for laptops. This might happen at the end of the month when Time Capsule is released, which is actually nothing more than an Airport base station with integrated HDD.
[translation by xavier]
- Hardware Monitor compatible with the latest Macs - Lionel - 09:56:58
Hardware Monitor, which we have often discussed, is a program capable of giving results collected by the sensors of the Mac. Thus, on a Mac Pro, it gives dozens of results, ranging from the temperature of each CPU, through those strips of FB-DIMM and the rotational speed of the fan and even power consumption of major components.
Version 4.4 out yesterday adds support for latest MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, and also gives specific information on the Radeon 2600 and (Intel) GMA X3100.
The individual license is sold for 7 € (+ tax), not a large sum for those who want to have this much information on their machine.
http://www.bresink.com/osx/HardwareMonitor.html
[translation by jeremy]
- The latest version of iPhone have been totally cracked - Lionel - 09:54:52
Source : FrenchiPhone
It has taken some time but is has now happened. Bootloader 4.6 and firmware 1.1.3 have been completely opened up and are now under the control of the hackers.- Geohot has found a way to downgrade Bootloader 4.6 to version 3.9 and then install a special 4.6 that allows all sorts of hacks. Attention: George acknowledges that the method is dangerous and he himself has destroyed an iPhone.
- Ziphone is now available under Mac OS X and is now version 1.1. No need to reinstall the system. It is enough to connect it and enter some commands in the terminal for jailbreaker to be activated and even désimlock the apparatus with firmware 1.1.2 and 1.1.3. Never have things been simpler. They have even found a way to change the IMEI of the devices!
We have since learned that the operators who have signed a franchise agreement with Apple consider this situation as a major crisis.
Update: A version more civilised with a graphic interface to the Zibree has been proposed by iJailbreak. This is version 0.51. Attention: it is incompatible with the iPod Touch.
This program was developed by a boy of 13 :)
http://code.google.com/p/ijailbreak
[translation by crispin]
- Neuf Cegetel takes over the market for HLM (Council Housing) in Paris - Lionel - 09:40:35
Following a tender from the city of Paris, fulfilled in the last quarter of 2007 and won by Neuf Cegetel, the latter pledged to install 100000 (100Mb) fiber optic Internet access in social housing projects.
The tenant must pay a symbolic subscription of 1 Euro HT for an Internet speed up to 512 Kbps, 18 channels of TNT and a telephone subscription to receive calls and to call emergency numbers and some social services.
Of course, this paltry sum is far from covering the cost of installation and maintenance of the lines, but the company is hopeful to that a percentage of
those subscribers will pay for superior benefits that will ensure a return on investment. If you are surprised to see this company winning the contract when
competing with Free and especially Orange, it should be noted that its technical choices for setting up fibre optics are cheaper. Indeed, the fiber stops at the bottom of the building, the rest is copper wires and SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) technology. SDSL has the same up-speed as down-speed but is typically much slower than ADSL (72Kbps to 2320 Kbps for SDSL, 102400 Kbps -- 100 Mb -- for ADSL). SDSL conflicts with voice (ADSL does not), so we will have to see how Neuf Cegetel will provide a voice service over SDSL (maybe proprietary telephone equipment).
[translation by jeremy]
