The
group iPhone Dev Wiki has discovered a way to partially unlock the device so
that it will work with any AT&T or Cingular SIM card without the need for the
exclusive new contract, details a post made on
Gizmodo. The iPhone hackers have apparently spent days disassembling
firmware within the device in hopes of completely opening access. Although the
iPhone may now run outside of the exclusive contract, the phone is still
dependent on the AT&T network. What the hackers have accomplished is to allow
the iPhone to run on any previous contract, including those on corporate
accounts.
"Using iASign, you'll be able to activate existing AT&T and Cingular Sims
without signing a new contract," wrote the hackers on the Wiki page. The hackers
added that they have confirmed the hack to also work with virtual operators such
as 7-11 wireless. "As a side note, we'd like to clarify that we are not even
close on giving up the full unlocking, as reported on some websites. We're still
up and running, but we won't comment on a possible time line. If the unlocking
is possible we'll eventually find it, so stay tuned," the Wiki page update
concluded.Detailed on
HackTheiPhone.com are 18 steps in hacking the iPhone to accept other SIM
cards. The process documented requires iTunes and an Intel-based Mac.