can i "unlock"an iphone and use it with another wireless carrier, if so how?

Answer 1

The iPhone is an amazing phone, well worth the purchase. I have been using the iPhone since June 29th, and just can't get enough of it. I recall saying that if the iPhone was half as good as the ads show it to be, it would be incredible. I am happy to report that the iPhone is as good, if not better than what was shown in ads. Almost every day, I find something new I can do with it, or a new feature. While there are some shortcomings (no device would ever be perfect), the iPhone is truly an amazing device and I think that just about anyone would love it.

Pros:
- Compact, lightweight, yet sturdy, metal-like.
- Revolutionary and easy touch-screen interface.
- Easy-to-use (even for non-computer people).
- Quick access to every feature.
- Beautiful screen, easy to read even in direct sunlight.
- Cool and intuitive graphical user interface (GUI).
- iPod, Video iPod, Web browsing, e-mail, and phone all in one!
- Easy e-mail access from multiple accounts (you can get e-mails from Yahoo!, GMail, and many other accounts).
- Allows viewing of various attachments (e.g. PDF)
- Google Maps and driving directions make finding places and adding to your contact list a snap.
- Great widely used applications (Stocks, Weather, Maps, YouTube, iPod, etc.)
- Built-in WiFi (Zoomzoomzoom! Fast, fast, fast!)
- Features can be updated via a simple sync.
- Scratch resistent screen (although, I would recommend getting a screen protector).
- Fairly good phone quality.
- Fades out music/video if you place or receive a call, and picks up where you left off once you are off the phone.
- 2 megapixel photo takes very nice photos in decent-to-good lighting.
- Easy to e-mail photos on the fly!
- Battery life is very good (the iPhone can go around 5 hours with use of phone, iPod, Internet, e-Mail, and Video iPod - It can go much longer if you cut certain features, especially WiFi and Internet, when you don't need it -- there are other tricks to conserve and get out more out of the battery).
- Safari, the Internet browser, loads Web pages very fast!
- SMS has a very sleek, IM-like look-and-feel.
- There are increasing number of add-on programs (games, tools, applications, etc.) that are being added by companies and users every day, and can be accessed via Safari, the Web browser.
- Easily sniffs out WiFi network in your area, and giving you options to connect to them. This makes WiFi access so easy!

Cons:
- 4 GB or 8 GB may be too small storage capacity for those people who want to carry all of their music, and some videos with them (although psychologically either capacity sounds too low, in reality, even the 4 GB version would be more than enough for those folks wanting only a segment of their song listings -- over 850 songs if you max out the 4 GB -- or put a couple of full version movies and about 120 or so songs, or any number of combination may be just enough for many, if not most, users).
- No physical keyboard (the keyboard is accessed on the screen and would take a few days to get adjusted to).
- Can't attach files in e-mail (although you can forward attachment you receive on the iPhone via e-mail).
- Can't save images that were sent via e-mail.
- Can't open certain attachements (e.g. MS Office, etc.).
- Can't change position of icons and info (stocks, weather) (this will most likely be changed via software update from Apple).
- Can't change ring profiles on the fly (this will most likely be changed via software update from Apple).
- No drag-and-drop capability.
- No copy-and-paste capability.
- Can't download pics to use as wallpaper unless its from the camera.
- Email doesn't switch layout from horizontal to vertical like the Safari Web browser does (this will most likely be changed via software update from Apple).
- No back button, have to always press the Home button for the main menu.
- Can't download additional ringtones (this will most likely be changed via software update from Apple).
- Third-party apps can only be accessed via the Safari Web browser (this can also be a good thing as it protects the phone from issues relating to installing applications on a device).
- No SD card expansion slot.
- You have to sync to get music/videos/podcasts.
- Uses the slower EDGE network instead of 3G network (this can also be a plus as 3G would suck battery life).
- Camera does not take videos; no flash.
- Screen smudges easily (I highly recommend getting a screen protector).
- No Adobe's Flash support (this will most likely be changed via software update from Apple).
- Battery is not user replaceable, and would cost $85 to send to Apple for replacement.
- Can't use bluetooth stereo headphones (this will most likely be changed via software update from Apple).

If you use your computer mostly for e-mail and some Web browsing, and are looking for an amazing phone that will allow you receive/send e-mail, browse the Web, and have the best of iPod and Video iPod, then the iPhone is for you. Although it is costly ($499 for the 4GB version, and $599 for the 8GB version), the phone offers the best of all worlds when it comes to multi-functional mobile device.

I have tested the AT&T Wireless service in the Greater Los Angeles area, and have been very impressed. AT&T has made a lot of changes to its network, specifically since the iPhone release, to improve performance, range, and speed. I also tested the iPhone in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington and the results were steller. If you are thinking of starting with or switching to AT&T Wireless, I would recommend checking the carrier's reception quality in your local areas.

As for iPhone working only with AT&T, there have been several people who were successful in unlocking the iPhone and making it work with other carriers. However, the process to unlock an iPhone is not for the novice or faint-at-heart, as it requires taking the iPhone apart, making hardware modification, and then software updates. If you are unsuccessful, you may find that you ruined the iPhone, rendering it useless. Then again, you can then use the iPhone as a very sleek looking paper weight! Continue with caution.

Although there is a rumor of a smaller, Nano-like version of iPhone with less functionality as the original iPhone coming out later this year in the U.S., a new version of the full-featured iPhone are unlikely to be released in the U.S. market until mid-2008. The European version of the iPhone, offered for the 3G network (much faster than the AT&T's EDGE network) is slated to be released by the end of the year. There is also a rumor of an iPhone 2nd generation. Apple is unlikely to release a 2nd generation iPhone for the next 12 - 18 months (perhaps as early as the end of 2008). Apple will most likely update and add some features to the iPhone via software updates.

Answer 2

Yeah you can, but why would you because youre still paying 500 dollars to get it, then breaking it? What if it doesnt work completely?

besides, other than the illegal parts, you wont have the same usage of the iphone when using it through another service, example, visual voicemail, web browser, plugging the iphone into the computer it will register to AT&T automatically so there you basically cant use the ipod part since you couldnt register it without them knowing youve hacked it. Which causes legal trouble.

on the account of if you really want an iphone, you should just pay to get off your wireless carrier now. The most expensive is sprint where you have to pay 200 a line, and simply sign up.

but hey if youre so dead set on hacking into a phone and taking the hard way to getting an iphone, go ahead. waste of 500 bucks to me but youtube.com search for some of the videos. There are tons.

Answer 3

Well
If you need to unlock yuor iphone (it's works with all type of version 5, 4, 3, etc...).
You can download for free iPhone Unlock Toolkit http://j.mp/1BOKl9E

It's an amazing program with witch you will be able to unlock your iphone very easily
I love it!
Bye Bye

Answer 4

There are ways to unlock the iPhone, but you run the risk of the phone not working if it gets updated. (This has already happenedn once, and I don't know if a work around has ever been found.) If you really want an iPhone, I would plan on getting an AT&T plan.

Answer 5

Did you just emerge from a coma?

Its been in every newspaper I have read in the last 2 days.

Some hacker kid has posted instructions on how to unlock it on the web. MSN news, Yahoo news, and others have the story.

Its not easy. you need special tools, patience, skill, and the ability not to cry when you turn a $500.00 pice of equipment into a paperweight.

Answer 6

So far, there is only one person I heard of unlocking it.
So right now, its not a public thing