The iPhone 3GS was first unleashed onto the mobile world in June 2009 and while it was only a marginal improvement over the iPhone 3G that it replaced, it was noticeably faster and more responsive. Even so, it’s a little funny looking back at those specs today. A single core 600MHz processor? Just a 3MP camera? A mere 320×480 pixel resolution? Yeah, that just won’t cut it these days.

When the iPhone 4S entered the fray last year, the 3GS became the free entry-level option and the iPhone 4 became the mid-tier option. With the iPhone 5 prepped and ready to headline the show starting next week, the iPhone 4S gets bumped to the mid-tier and the iPhone 4 is now the free-with-contract entry-level smartphone from Apple. The interesting thing is I hear iOS6 will be supported by the 3GS, so it’s not like the team in Cupertino has completely abandoned you.

Goodbye, iPhone 3GS. You had a pretty good run there. Now Apple can continue coasting as we await the inevitable arrival of the iPhone 5S next year.

The post Official: iPhone 5 Killed the 3GS appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

The new build follows the company’s recent release of 5.0.1 which was aimed at fixing a couple of important bugs, including the iPhone 4S battery issue that still appears to be affecting some users.

Early on, there were reports that suggested that 5.1 would bring new features to Siri including hardware controls which will allow iPhone 4S users to adjust Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios through the voice-controlled assistant. For now it appears like the new version of iOS does not bring these changes.

The release notes of the software, which comes to us courtesy of BGR, do not reveal any major features at all.

The update looks to be a minor one that is coming with fixes for issues affecting Music Player, Newsstand and Game Center. There are also some changes in the APIs and iCloud storage.

What is interesting is that the folks over at 9to5Mac have discovered reference to two new iPad models, “iPad 2,4” and “iPad 3,3”, in the beta software.

The iPad 2,4 is thought to be a new version of the iPad 2 that might get released on Sprint’s 3G network. As you might know, 3G iPads are only available on AT&T and Verizon in the US. The tablet may also be a version meant for other networks around the world.

For those that were hoping for some major changes in this version, it seems you will have to wait a little longer. Perhaps in iOS 5.2, Apple will grant our wish and add hardware controls to Siri.

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We’ve been fooled before, but at least this new method won’t cost you any money, at least not directly. A video has appeared on YouTube that apparently shows how you can unlock the iPhone 4S from AT&T and use it with T-Mobile USA… or any GSM carrier for that matter.

The fascinating thing about this unlocking method is that you don’t need to use any specialized software or get any specific hardware to do the hack. You just need the original AT&T SIM and a target (T-Mobile) SIM, though the latter has to be cut to micro-SIM size to fit the slot in the iPhone 4S. It will reportedly also work with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS from AT&T too.

1. Insert original carrier AT&T SIM card
2. Dial 611 for AT&T customer service hotline and drop the call
3. Turn on Airplane Mode
4. Take out AT&T SIM card
5. Insert T-Mobile SIM card
6. Make sure WiFi is off ( also tap on ‘Forget this Network” to make sure it doesn’t connect automatically later)
7. Switch off Airplane Mode and iPhone will search for network. This is followed by the Apple splash screen appearing.
8. Activation Required will be displayed on the screen
9. EDGE network will activate automatically – notice the ‘E’ on the top left corner of the screen
10. Wait for about 20-30 seconds and turn off the phone
11. Turn on iPhone and the same Activation Required screen will be displayed
12. When you see one signal bar, tap on Use Cellular Connection
13. Eject SIM card
14. Activation Required screen will be displayed the second time
15. Insert SIM card
16. Unlocked!

Not many reports of this being successful are coming in. It sounds very similar to the old xbox disc swap trick. But the only way to have a real jailbreak at this time is with a software carrier unlock or Gevey SIM.

UPDATE: PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME, THIS DOES NOT WORK. OUR APOLOGIES. FOR NOW YOU WILL NEED A REAL JAILBREAK.

The post AT&T iPhone 4S Unlock With No Software, No Hardware, No Jailbreak (UPDATED SCAM) appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

As before, FastSn0w comes by way of the Fast Unlock iPhone Team and the utility is currently compatible with both Windows and Mac, though a Linux version is also in the works. You can unlock and jailbreak your iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS running on 4.3.3 and iOS5 (but no ipad 2??). And yes, it’s entirely software-based with no extra hardware needed.

That’s the good news. The bad news is, unlike some of the other solutions you might try, this one isn’t free. FastSn0w can be acquired through FastUnlockiPhone.com for $25.99 US. That price includes the software, as well as a guide, bonus pack, and “lifetime member access.”  Whether how well it works is yet to be determined (since most of the links on their site are broken, we caution you). Or, if that’s still too scary for your, call the kid on Craigslist who does it for $20.

Photo: bestiphoneappss.com

The post FastSn0w jailbreak and unlock tool for iPhone released, untethered appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

With a custom case (included), the Photojoojo mini-telephone lens will screw on the back over your existing iPhone lens and giving you that extra reach. It fits the iPhone 3/3GS and the Verizon/AT&T iPhone 4. At $35 it’s not a bad buy for those jonsin’ for a bit of telephone action.

[Photojojo]

The post Get In Close – Photojojo iPhone Telephoto Lens Attachment appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

The headless R2-D2 case for the Apple iPhone 3G and 3GS (iPhone 4 model will have a head?)

Just last week we caught a glimpse of the “special” Motorola DROID R2-D2 Edition. As it turns out, that bleep-blooping bot gets around. He’s found his way over to Cupertino for the iPhone, or at least tried to.

Before you get too excited not only about a white iPhone 4, let alone your dreams of a special Star Wars edition from Apple, you should wake up and smell the coffee. This is just a case, and for some reason the designers cut off R2′s head.  Regardless, it simply means that George Lucas and crew have no issue playing friendly with multiple teams. I can see Steve Jobs now calling up Mr. Lucas after he saw the Android R2D2 last week. Steve: “Um George, wtf? We gave you mad coverage on our trailer site for Clone Wars.” Mr. Lucas: “Listen Steve-o, it’s already a fricken Droid.” The designer however, is playing in outer space. Maybe they plan to launch an R2 D2 head expansion pack? Unless they really wan’t us to believe the front side is the head.

So anyone who felt left out last week (iPhone owners of course), not to worry. You can get in on the licensed Star Wars memorabilia. The bad news is that this R2-D2 case isn’t designed for the iPhone 4; they’re making it for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. After all, this is happening a long time ago in a galaxy far away.

Still no sign of C-3PO either.

R2-D2 iPhone Hard Case with Sculpted Details [$30 from the Star Wars Shop]

R2-D2 cheats on the Droid, shows up as an official iPhone case [MobileCrunch]

The post Apple iPhone gets official R2-D2 Star Wars case, with no head appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

I’ve got some good news and I’ve got some bad news for all the iFans in the audience. If you’ve been sitting on the fence, the good news is that you can now waltz into an Apple Store and walk away with a brand new iPhone for just $49. The bad news is that it’s not the iPhone 4.

Starting this week, Telus Mobility is offering the Apple iPhone 3GS 8GB Black for just $49.00, representing a $50 savings over the price you would have paid for the same device just yesterday. This makes Telus the first Canadian wireless provider to sell the iPhone 3GS at the sub-$50 price point.

Naturally, the usual hoops and obstacles apply to get at this price. You will need to sign on a new three-year voice and data agreement with Telus. The iPhone 3GS you receive will also come locked to the Telus network as well (though you can always go and unlock it yourself after the fact). Whether you buy the iPhone 3GS 8GB directly from Telus or via the Apple Store, the same $49 price point applies. Alternatively, you can buy the phone outright for $549.00. Whatever the case, it’ll come preloaded with iOS 4.0 or 4.0.1 which is safe for the 3GS, but we know of 3G users who have had trouble with the upgrade up to this point.

[Telus via iPhoneinCanada]

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Biologic Bike Mount for the iPhone

The Biologic Bike Mount is a bicycle-mount for your iPhone, allowing you to strap your device to the handlebars and keep tabs on GPS location, speed, distance traveled, perhaps all the while playing some good music to keep those quads pumping.     The mount is part of a weatherproof case, silicon-lined for protection against water and dust, and able to rotate 360 degrees between landscape and portrait mode.

The case also features a display window on the rear for your camera, weatherproof ports for headphones and a charger, and a bit of cushioning to protect against shock.  Only out for the iPhone 3GS, the price is $59.99.

[GizMag via Dahon]

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Apple iPhone 3GS boxed

Maybe you’re not interested in having the latest iPhone 4 with five-megapixel camera that takes yellow pictures. Or even having to hold it a certain way to get signal. Maybe you just want to save a few bucks and go for the tried, tested and true model. Although the iPhone 4 has not yet launched in Canada, the iPhone 3GS has been available for ages, and up until now, you could only get the 3GS in 16GB and 32GB flavors.  Adding to the portfolio, Fido is now offering an 8GB iPhone 3GS for just $99 with a qualifying three-year contract; the 8GB iPhone 3GS will presumably replace the 8GB iPhone 3G.

It comes pre-updated with iOS4. No, you’re not going to get a front facing camera or that high-res retina display, but you’ll have a few more bucks in your back pocket to spend in the App Store. And that’s not really a bad thing.

[IntoMobile via Fido]

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iPhone 3gs and iPhone 4, should you upgrade?

With all of the pandemonium surrounding the iPhone 4, the question surrounding Apple’s new masterpiece is: should I upgrade?  The decision right now fueled by the excitement of innovation and hype is to do so, but if you take a step back and think, it may not be as clear as you had imagined.

Certain situations warrant the upgrade, while others do not. If you own a 3G or less, then upgrading as soon as possible could be what you need to do.  Let’s face it, your 3G is at least two years old, probably scratched, not looking too fresh and is filled to the brim with music, apps, and other goodies.  It served you well, but it’s sluggish and inferior to the speed you have evolved to in respects to navigating and loading apps on your device. Perhaps your contract with AT&T has expired.  The iPhone 4 will be available to you for less, and you can retain your unlimited data plan which is a huge bonus since AT&T recently discontinued it for new users.

If you have a 3GS, then it may serve you well just to hang on a little longer.  It’s still a pretty solid iPhone.  It performs well, the newer processor is pretty speedy, faster then the 3G, but lets face it, its no A4.

The 8GB or 16GB 3GS still performs decently, but may be lacking the space you need. The 32GB could be all you need.  You will get the iOS4 update bringing you up in that department, and your battery could be still running strong so running this bad boy into the ground a little longer won’t hurt.

The iPhone 4 doesn’t have 4G speeds yet, and that will probably be the next thing on Steve Jobs’ agenda as we head into 2011.   It does have the front facing camera for video chat, the speedy A4, which from my iPad experience is going to put an end to lag in most apps.  The upgraded HD camera and LED flash are also a huge improvement.  And if you’re the guy who has to have the latest and greatest, then why are you even reading this?

But of course, stick with what works for you.  Just weigh out the benefits of an upgrade against the cons, and remember, you are dealing with another expense come June 24.

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