Month: November 2008

Hack to enable Emoji icons systemwide

Sébastien Page ∙ November 24, 2008

The latest 2.2 firmware update allows Japanese iPhone owners to use Emoji icons in their emails and text messages, but for some reason, the rest of the world cannot enjoy these useless, yet funny icons...

That was until Irish developer Steve Troughton-Smith found a simple hack to allow everyone to use Emoji icons, not mater what carrier you're on. Here are the instructions:

You need to edit the file /User/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Preferences.plist on the device -> whether you use a jailbreak to achieve this or merely some iTunes backup editor is up to you.

Add the following boolean key as 'true':

KeyboardEmojiEverywhere

Then merely go to the Keyboards section of the Settings app, hit Japanese, and turn on Emoji. Will work for any text field/view in the OS, including on websites, AND including the titles of items on SpringBoard (e.g. if you save a bookmark to the home screen).

Easy enough :-)

UPDATE: I just published this post and went back to my news reader to realize there is now an app available on Cydia that allows emoji incons with no editing required!

Install the package called Emoji, then go to Settings > General > Keyboard > International Keyboard > Japanase and enable Emoji Icons. Now launch your mail or note app and try it out! By the way, this only works on 2.2, so if like me, you're still on 2.1, it won't work.

New Poll: Have you updated to 2.2 yet?

Sébastien Page ∙ November 23, 2008

Our last poll closed yesterday and revealed interesting information about the audience of our blog... Here are the results:

[poll id="2"]

We've got a new poll for you to take so we can find out if you have already updated to 2.2 or not. To take the poll, simply look in the right sidebar of the blog.

Hack To Get Google Street View On iPod Touch

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 23, 2017

If you're an iPod Touch owner and you feel that you've been left alone with the Google street view feature, I have some good news for you. iPodTouchFans.com user timmyj9 reveals a hack that will allow you to get Google street view on your iPod Touch.

To do so, you will need some very basic skills. Here it goes:

1. get this file via ssh: /System/Library/CoreServices/SpringBoard.app/N45AP.plist 2. convert to xml at http://iappcat.com/plist/bin2xml 3. add

<key>telephony</key> <dict> <key>maximumGeneration</key> <real>2.5</real> </dict>

underneath

<key>standAloneContacts</key> <true/>

4. save then using that website again reconvert to binary 5. rename original file N45AP.old 6. copy new N45AP.plist in (make sure permissions are 644) 7. reboot ipod all new Maps features work however you get a searching for service (replaces the word ipod in the top left) and waiting for activation message that pops up occassionally, music settings disappear also music slot in prefs disappears (hjrry)

I haven't tried this as I don't have an iPod Touch but I'd love to hear from you if you try this hack out. Share your experience in the comments.

Unlock Your iPhone 2G 2.2 Using QuickPwn

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

This guide will show you how to use QuickPwn 2.2 to jailbreak and/or unlock your iPhone 2G. This tutorial is for PC users but I assume the steps are the same on a Mac. This tutorial is NOT for iPhone 3G. If you're only interested in jailbreaking your iPhone (not unlockink), please may read my QuickPwn 2.2 guide.

If you like this post, please feel free to digg it, or subscribe to our RSS feed, or follow me on Twitter, or all of the above ;)

IMPORTANT: READ EVERY SINGLE WORD OF THIS POST BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK YOUR IPHONE

Note that the comments are closed. If you have any question about the unlocking process, please ask in the forum.

Before doing anything, I suggest you read this important message from the Dev Team.

Click here to download the MobileInstallation patch for 2.2

Note that you are pwning your iPhone at your own risk… Success is not guaranteed!

Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of iTunes. Update or restore your iPhone to firmware 2.2 using iTunes. Restoring is the preferred way to do it as it won't waste space on your iPhone. Plug your iPhone and make sure iTunes has detected it. If you’re iPhone is already jailbroken, you may want to remove all the apps that you have downloaded from Cydia. Certain applications such as Winterboard, Categories and more cause trouble. You will be able to reinstall them later. Create a folder called “QuickPwn” on your desktop. Download your appropriate iPhone 2.2 firmware from here. Also download the QuickPwn 2.2 from here, the bootloader files BL 3.9 and BL 4.6 from here too. Place these files in the newly created QuickPwn folder on your desktop. Extract QuickPwn zipped file. Launch QuickPwn and select your iPhone version. You will be asked to select your iPhone firmware. Select the firmware you downloaded in Step 1. If the firmware you selected is valid, QuickPwn will show a green checkmark. Click Continue. You will then have the opportunity to select Cydia, Installer, custom boot logos and "unlock iPhone". You have to select Cydia and "unlock iPhone". You may also choose to install Installer. Click Next. You will now be asked to select your bootloader files. Click the Browse button and select the 3.9 bootloader from the Pwnage folder on your desktop. Likewise do the same thing for the 4.6 bootloader file. Then click the blue arrow button to continue. QuickPwn will now ask you to confirm that your iPhone is connected. Click the blue arrow to continue. QuickPwn will now automatically put your iPhone into recovery mode. Once its in recovery mode you will be prompted to: Hold the Home button for 5 seconds, Hold the Home and Power buttons for 10 seconds, then release the Power button and continuing holding the Home button until your iPhone is in DFU mode. Watch the prompts carefully and follow along. Once QuickPwn detects your iPhone in DFU mode, it will start the jailbreak process. Finally, QuickPwn will let you know that pwnage process was completed successfully. Done!

[digg-me]Let us know how it goes!

QuickPwn 2.2 Guide & Tutorial

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

[digg-me]This guide will show you how to use QuickPwn 2.2 to jailbreak your iPhone. This tutorial is for PC users but I assume the steps are the same on a Mac.

UPDATE: THIS WILL ONLY WORK WITH FIRMWARE 2.2. IT WILL NOT WORK WITH 2.2.1 AS THERE IS NO JAILBREAK FOR IT YET. IF YOU ARE ON 2.2 THEN FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS. IF YOU ARE ON 2.2.1, THEN COME BACK TO THIS SITE IN A FEW DAYS WHEN WE FIND A SOLUTION TO JAILBREAKING IT.

UPDATE 2: I updated this guide for the newer firmware 2.2.1. Please go here for a QuickPWN 2.2.1 guide.

UPDATE 3: The comments are closed. If you have any question about jailbreaking, please ask it in the forum.

IMPORTANT: READ EVERY SINGLE WORD OF THIS POST BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO JAILBREAK YOUR IPHONE

If you like this post, please feel free to digg it, or subscribe to our RSS feed, or follow me on Twitter, or all of the above ;)

This QuickPwn 2.2 tutorial will be short as I have already posted a QuickPwn guide before. This guide only shows you how to jailbreak. If you want to learn how to unlock your iPhone 2.2 firmware, please read my iPhone 2.2 QuickPwn unlock tutorial.

The following is not applicable anymore since you can unlock your iPhone safely with this method.

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE DEV TEAM:

If you are using your iPhone with one carrier and have no interest in the possibility of an iPhone 3G unlock in the near future then just restore or upgrade to 2.2 using iTunes and use QuickPwn to Jailbreak and add Cydia and Installer.

Before doing anything, I suggest you read this important message from the Dev Team.

What does that mean? It means that you can only use this method if you don't care about unlocking your iPhone in the future. If you're a "legit" AT&T iPhone user and you have no interest in unlocking your iPhone in the future, then this is for you.

On the other hand, if you're not a "legit" user or if you do want to be able to unlock your iPhone in the future, then this is NOT for you. If that's the case, you will have to jailbreak your iPhone using PwnageTool, which will preserve your baseband.

Note that you are pwning your iPhone at your own risk… Success is not guaranteed!

Create a folder called “QuickPwn” on your desktop. Download a copy of your iPhone 2.2 firmware from here. Also download QuickPwn 2.2 from here. Place all these files in the newly created QuickPwn folder on your desktop. Unzip QuickPwn. Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of iTunes. If you have to update to the latest version of iTunes, I highly recommend you restart your computer after the update. Not restarting my computer after updating iTunes caused me trouble in the past... Plug your iPhone and make sure iTunes has detected it. If you’re iPhone is already jailbroken, you may want to remove all the apps that you have downloaded from Cydia. Certain applications such as Winterboard, Categories and more cause trouble. You will be able to reinstall them later. As an alternative solution, you may want to read by post about upgrading a jailbroken iPhone without using AptBackup, which saves your Cydia apps settings. Update or restore your iPhone to firmware 2.2 using iTunes. Restore is preferred as it won't create any wasted space on your iPhone. Right after restoring your iPhone, launch QuickPwn. It should recognize your device automatically.

You will be asked to select your iPhone firmware. Select the firmware you downloaded in Step 1.

If the firmware you selected is valid, QuickPwn will show a green checkmark. Click Continue.

You will then have the opportunity to select Cydia,Installer, and custom boot logos. You have to at least select Cydia. You may also choose to install Installer .and check to BootLogos box if you want to replace your boot logo. Click Next.

QuickPwn will now ask you to confirm that your iPhone is connected. Click the blue arrow to continue.

QuickPwn will now automatically put your iPhone into recovery mode. Once its in recovery mode you will be prompted to: Hold the Home button for 5 seconds, Hold the Home and Power buttons for 10 seconds, then release the Power button and continuing holding the Home button until your iPhone is in DFU mode. Watch the prompts carefully and follow along.

Once QuickPwn detects your iPhone in DFU mode, it will start the jailbreak process.

Finally, QuickPwn will let you know that pwnage process was completed successfully.

Done!

Share your jailbreak experience with us in the comments...

iPhone 2.2 Jailbreak Officially Out!

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 23, 2016

I knew it wouldn't take too long to the Dev Team to come up with a new jailbreak method for firmware 2.2. They just released an important message on their blog that every jailbreaker should read before attempting to pwn their iPhone.

I don't like copying large part from other people's blogs but I feel like it's necessary in this case as I want to make sure you fully understand the methods and the risks you're taking if you decide to go ahead and jailbreak your iPhone. You can also read this post on the Dev Team's blog.

GOLDEN RULE: If you have a 3G iPhone and want potential soft unlock in the near future do NOT use QuickPwn, and do not use the official ipsw or the iTunes update process without using PwnageTool. Read item 1 again and again. At the bottom of this post are the bittorrent files for the latest versions of PwnageTool and QuickPwn. These are suitable for the recent 2.2 release. Please read all parts of this post before downloading and using these tools. The ‘late 2008’ MacBook/air/pro line of computers have an issue with DFU mode, it is possible to go from Pwned 2.1 -> 2.2 but going from stock to Pwned does not work, if in any doubt use a different machine. Choosing the correct tool is crucial. Be warned!

Baseband 101

The ‘baseband’ is the generic name given to the internal components of the iPhone that handle the phone calls and Internet access. This ‘baseband’ is a tiny and unique independent computer system that runs inside your iPhone, it is separate to the main system that handles the applications (such as email and google maps) and it talks to the main part of the phone over an internal communications network. Think of it like a cable modem or other peripheral that is attached to your home PC that needs occasional updates. When a software update is released and presented to you within iTunes the baseband is sometimes updated (to fix bugs or add new features). The 2.2 update for the iPhone 3G contains such an update, so running the vanilla updater straight away with iTunes will reprogram and update the baseband. This could be bad for certain people, depending on your ultimate aim.

SIM Free/SP Unlocked/Factory Unlocked iPhone 3G

This applies if you bought your iPhone 3G for $$$$$$$. This model of iPhone 3G doesn’t have an Service Provider lock (aka factory unlocked) and you are able to put any SIM card into the phone and get service. Your phone is already unlocked so you do not need to worry about baseband updates, simply upgrade to 2.2 using iTunes and then use QuickPwn to Pwn and Jailbreak. This will add Cydia and Installer too.

Locked iPhone 3G - Preserve Baseband

This applies if you have a locked iPhone 3G and you wish to update to 2.2 but preserve the iPhone’s current baseband software. Preserving the baseband will give you the maximum chance for any upcoming software unlock. To upgrade your phone to 2.2 and preserve the state of the baseband you need to create a custom .ipsw with PwnageTool. This custom .ipsw will not contain the baseband update but of course will still allow all the cool new stuff from 2.2.

There are plenty of tutorials about this process on the web, but PwnageTool contains intuitive graphics and easy to follow prompts that should have you up and running in no time at all.

Locked iPhone 3G

Locked iPhone 2G (1st Generation)

Restore your iPhone 2G with iTunes then run QuickPwn to do the magic, ‘nuff said.

iPod Touch 1G (Original iPod Touch)

Update to 2.2 with iTunes and run QuickPwn.

iPod Touch 2G (New iPod Touch)

Sorry, no support at this time.

Bittorrent Releases

PwnageTool 2.2 for Mac OS X is here SHA1 Sum - 97ee6096aaa1967498431bf01c36c18d0e877545 QuickPwn 2.2 for Mac OS X is here SHA1 Sum - 254b8af0e19870a4660b7b11e3b6f6ae1d6bc66f QuickPwn 2.2 for Windows is here SHA1 Sum - ffdbc561224c61ffc2713cb6a6e696b6d429c4ca

I'm gonna be working on a QuickPwn 2.2 Guide and a PwnageTool 2.2 Tutorial and I should post this within hours.

UPDATE: I wrote new tutorials on how to jailbreak or unlock your iPhone 2.2 firmware using QuickPwn:

jailbreak iPhone 2.2 unlock iPhone 2.2

Pusher jailbreaks your iPhone 2.2 firmware… without really jailbreaking!

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated September 20, 2016

Rip Dev, the Russian equivalent of our own Dev Team released a new tool called Pusher that installs Installer on your iPhone without jailbreaking it!

This is why we have developed a tool that does something else... and it's absolutely amazing. Here's what it does: it puts some tools (including our own Installer) onto the user partition of the phone without opening the system partition up! You get Installer, a whole world of third-party tools that didn't got into the AppStore for some reason, such as Kate, Qik, Snapture, and dozens of others, all that without compromising your security or voiding the guarantee!

The tool is named Pusher (mostly because it pushes some things onto the iPhone, and because we found the allusion funny). It works for both 2G and 3G phones running 2.0.2, 2.1 and 2.2 firmwares. Simply download it, launch and follow the instructions on-screen - the whole process takes about 3 minutes.

I really like the idea but the main turn off is that since Pusher installs its tools on the user partition of your iphone, it leaves the main partition locked, which prevent the installation of important tools such as BSD Subsystem or SSH.

Pusher is only available for Mac OS X so far but a Windows version should be coming soon. You can learn more about Pusher from here, and download it here.

UPDATE: Here is what BigBoss has to say about Pusher:

Pusher is RiPDev’s 2.2 version of a jailbreak. This should be avoided and not used. Instead use the dev team’s jailbreaks. RiPDev’s version will block access to / partition and make it impossible to install Cydia. (They want you using Installer of course). It’s pretty much worthless since most the packages are in Cydia. The dev team’s jailbreak allows you to use both Cydia and Installer. There is no valid reason to use Pusher instead of one of the pwnages below.

Downgrade iPhone Firmware 2.2 to 2.1

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

Firmware update 2.2 surprised a few people who accidentally updated their iPhone. If that happened to you, you now have 2 choices: either stay and 2.2 and wait for the Dev Team to come up with a jailbreak method for 2.2, or you can try to downgrade from 2.2 to 2.1.

I personally don't have this issue. I haven't updated to 2.2 but I figured that some of you guys may have, so I started looking for a solution to post here. The problem is there doesn't seem to be a solution that works for one main reason: 2.2 updates your baseband and once your baseband is updated, you can't downgrade it to 2.1 (not as yet anyway).

From what I read, only 2-3 people were actually able to get their iPhone back to 2.1 without issues but it is very unclear what they did exactly... Now let's have a look at these different methods that supposedly show you how to downgrade from iPhone firmware 2.2 to 2.1.

Take Better Night Pictures With Night Camera

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 23, 2016

Ever since the iPhone came out in June 2007, one of the main criticisms of its hardware is the less-than-impressive specs of its camera. These days, a 2 megapixel camera with no auto-focus or flash doesn't cut it for a smartphone. Pictures taken at night or in low-light especially suffers from blurs, despite my best efforts to hold it still, like in this photo:

The app Night Camera [iTunes link] helps with this specific problem. The program uses the accelerometer to figure out if you're holding your iPhone steady enough to take a picture. When it knows the iPhone is steady, it automatically takes a picture. Check out the result:

For only $.99, night pictures and pictures in low-light are greatly improved. I also think this is one of the most useful and innovative ways to use the iPhone's accelerometer. Just keep in mind that this program does not fix the iPhone's deficiencies which could be rectified with flash or auto-focus. Still, for a buck's upgrade and as an avid iPhone photographer, this app is well worth it.

For all your presentations, Pointer is what you need

Guest Author ∙ Updated February 5, 2016

As an academic, I've been using presentation software intensively and had my share of panicked presenters, unprepared seminars and lame conference keynotes. But I also had my share of clumsy moments when I needed to be both next to the main screen and to click on my laptop because my clicker wouldn't work at the last minute. No more, thanks to Pointer ($.99) or Stage Hand ($7.99).

Neither will prepare your presentation for you, or protect you against really annoying questions from the audience; it will not make that d*mn beamer work, but it will turn your iPhone into the most convenient clicker you've ever had.

Your phone is always near you. You can jump to any slide. You can see notes. It just works.

Both can walk you through both PowerPoint and Keynote presentation, using the Wifi connexion of your MacBook. Both can double as rough track-pad, even outside of a presentation. Both need you to download and install a local applet beforehand, and I recommend that you set everything up before you start. Although the software works right away, there are some tweaking to do with multiple screens parameters in your Preference panel. Both have similar options: clicking sound, typeface size, jump to a given slide, highlight color.

Beside the price, there is little difference: Stage Hand has a convenient Wifi meter and a “Slide mode” where you can slide to switch to the next slide, and —more importantly— where your iPhone screen shows the actual slides of your presentation (current slide or Keynote's Presenter Display).

Doom on your iPhone

Guest Author ∙ Updated November 12, 2018

Cube [iTunes Link] is an adaptation of Doom to the iPhone, developed by fernLigthening [iTunes Link]. The controls are amazing: accelerometer for sight, aim and direction (there are the same); tap the corners to move, shoot, pause and go to the menu). Surprisingly enough it is free (so far) but we can expect a paying version with more levels coming.

The 3D engine (a projected 2D-height map, actually) is really fluid and the motion-response is great; just check this video demo:

A few bad points: many do not like the very sensitive point-and-shoot: being able to tap on the screen to shoot on that particular direction might have been easier—but I prefer to see the screeen at all times, as fernLightening has made possible. One thing however: do not try to play it in a car or even a train: you won't be able to aim, but more importantly, you will get sick. The motion-by-toggle has just the right setting that messes with your sense of balance.

iPhone 2.2 Jailbreak

Sébastien Page ∙ November 21, 2008

Update: The Dev Team cracked the code again and you can now jailbreak your iPhone 2.2 firmware. I highly recommend you read this before doing anything!

Update 2: I wrote new tutorials on how to jailbreak or unlock your iPhone 2.2 firmware using QuickPwn:

jailbreak iPhone 2.2 unlock iPhone 2.2

Like I mentioned in my previous post, there is no jailbreak available so far for iPhone firmware 2.2. The Dev Team is working on it and from what I understand, it shouldn't take too long...

We believe that our Pwnage technique (and therefore the Jailbreak) isn’t affected, but PwnageTool and QuickPwn do not support this release as yet, so DO NOT install 2.2 using iTunes as you will lose your jailbreak.

It's also worth noting that if you're on a jailbroken iPhone, you really don't want to update using iTunes yet as it may modify your baseband and make future jailbreak and/or unlock impossible.

I suspect that it will take a few days to the Dev Team to update PwnageTool to allow it to jailbreak your iPhone firmware 2.2, so please hang on... Once PwnageTool is released, other methods including WinPwn, and QuickPwn will be following.

We will let you know as soon as PwnageTool, WinPwn, and QuickPwn are available, and we will also release our tutorials on how to use them. You may want to subscribe to our RSS feeds (if not done yet) to keep in touch and be notified as soon as the news fall.