Sébastien Page

Sebastien is the Founder and Editor in Chief of iDB. Once a BlackBerry user, Sebastien instantly fell in love with the iPhone when it was first announced in 2007. Shortly after, he decided to start sharing his knowledge of the iPhone and its nascent ecosystem, which led to the creation of this blog. Sebastien currently owns 14 iPhones, 4 iPads, a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, a MacBook Air, 2 Apple Watches, 3 Apple TVs, countless HomePods and AirTags as well as a few pairs of AirPods.

Reminder: Do Not Update Your iPhone or iPad If You’re Planning to Jailbreak/Unlock

Sébastien Page ∙ July 15, 2010

As many of you may already know, Apple just released iOS 4.0.1, a software update for the iPhone that will supposedly fix the antenna issue. Apple also released iOS 3.2.1 for iPad, which fixes a few bugs.

If you are currently or plan to be on a jailbroken iPhone or iPad and want to keep your jailbreak, make sure you do not update until further notice. Hopefully, it won't be too long until the Dev Team releases a jailbreak for the latest firmware.

While updating your device to the lastest iOS is not a dramatic error, it might prevent you from jailbreaking it in the future. This particularly applies to anyone who relies on an unlock.

My advice to you: don't update, sit back, wait, and check back here later for up-to-date jailbreak information.

If you do not care about jailbreaking or unlocking your iPhone, then you can obviously update your device without any worry.

Apple Releases iOS 4.0.1 for iPhone and iOS 3.2.1 for iPad. Jailbreakers Beware!

Sébastien Page ∙ July 15, 2010

Apple just released iOS 4.0.1 for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G. This software update is said to fix the antenna issue which is supposedly related to a bad math formula regarding the the display of the iPhone's service signal bars.

At the same time, Apple also updated iOS 3.2.1 for iPad.

As always when a new firmware comes out, it is highly recommended you DO NOT update if you rely on a jailbreak or unlock. Updating your device might prevent you from jailbreaking or unlocking it in the future.

You can download the new firmwares from our iPhone downloads section.

Poll: What Will Apple Say About the iPhone 4 Antenna Issue At Tomorrow’s Event?

Sébastien Page ∙ July 15, 2010

In case you didn't know, Apple is having a press conference tomorrow, presumably to address the iPhone 4 antenna fiasco. Will the company come clean and recognize its errors? Will they offer to fix it? Or will they keep pretending there is no problem with the antenna?

Personally, I think they will offer free Bumpers to everyone. Software can't fix hardware issues and a recall would cost way too much. The only option left is the free Bumper which will not really address the issue, but at least it will hide the problem - in a rubber case - while being very cost-effective.

What do you think? Please take this poll and make sure you leave a comment to tell us what you think is going to happen.

What will Apple say about the antenna issue at tomorrow's press conference?survey software

Apple to Hold Press Conference About iPhone 4

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated March 27, 2018

Well, it took Apple just about 3 weeks to react to the negative press they were getting about the iPhone 4 antenna issue. Apple sent an invite to a few tech journalists for a press conference this Friday, and while it's not clearly said the conference will address the "Antennagate", one can only assume this will be the topic of choice.

The fact this problem was brought to the mainstream when Consumer Reports said they don't recommend the iPhone 4 is probably the reason why Apple is having a press conference on this matter. The conference will be this coming Friday, at 10am PST.

[Engadget]

How to Jailbreak iOS 4.1 Beta

Sébastien Page ∙ July 14, 2010

The iOS SDK 4.1 beta was just seeded to developers a few hours ago and believe it or not, you can already jailbreak it. The Dev Team didn't even have to do any work on the now famous RedSn0w as the 0.9.5b5-5 version can jailbreak iOS 4.1 beta.

Instructions to jailbreak your iPhone iOS 4 with RedSn0w remain the same. However, remember this is still a beta version. To date, this version of RedSn0w is only compatible with the iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2G (non MC models).

Also remember that iOS 4.1 beta is called "beta" for a reason. It is released for developers and the general public should stay away from it.

Parody: iOS 4 on iPhone 3G

Sébastien Page ∙ July 14, 2010

Sad, but true... This is what iOS 4 looked like on the couple iPhone 3G I saw it running on.

If you have an iPhone 3G with iOS 4, please tell us if you're iPhone is still as snappy as ever or if it slowed down.

iOS 4.1 Seeded to Developers

Sébastien Page ∙ July 14, 2010

Apple just pushed the iOS SDK 4.1 beta to developers. This move is widely expected to NOT fix the antenna issue but rather hide it behind cosmetic changes. This beta version (for developers only) will show bigger bars and will fix the formula that calculates how many bars are displayed, which Apple said to be "totally wrong".

Unless you're a developer, you really have no business playing with the iOS SDK 4.1. beta. Also keep in mind that installing this beta version or the future official iOS 4.1 may compromise your chances of jailbreaking or unlocking your iPhone.

Pretty Up Your iPhone Folders With Emoji and Symbols

Sébastien Page ∙ July 14, 2010

A few weeks ago we talked about how to add symbols on your iPhone. We also saw that it is now possible to add emoji icons to the keyboard. But do you know you can use these characters and emoji to name your iPhone folders?

To do so, simply edit the folders' name like you normally do and copy the character of your choice, or set your keyboard to Emoji to add funny little icons.

PlanetBeing Demos the iPhone 4 Unlock

Sébastien Page ∙ July 13, 2010

I told you this morning about PlanetBeing's unlock for the iPhone 4. PlanetBeing put up a video on YouTube explaining the unlock, which is the very first carrier unlock for the iPhone 4 in the world.

According to PlanetBeing, this unlock is still a beta version and needs a lot of cleaning before being potentially released to the public. PlanetBeing also confirmed that MuscleNerd is working on a software unlock as well, and they will decide which of the 2 methods to release when they are ready to.

GeoHot Says Goodbye To The Jailbreak Community

Sébastien Page ∙ July 13, 2010

It seems GeoHot is done with the iPhone jailbreak community. After teasing us with what ended up being a fake iPhone 4 jailbreak, GeoHot put an end to it all by completely shutting down his Twitter account. Additionally, he made his blog an invite-only place.

GeoHot has been complaining for a while about people harassing him about jailbreaks and release dates, which is probably what motivated his decision. While he didn't clearly say goodbye to the jailbreak community, GeoHot seems to be retiring from the scene, at least for now.

I was able to read GeoHot's last tweets last night but unfortunately I didn't take screenshots of them but my Twitter buddy Farouk Zouari did. Basically GeoHot was saying that he was tired of hearing the same questions all the time. He also mentioned that some of us care way too much about the iPhone, which in the end is "just a phone".

GeoHot had been flamed for a while by many who see in him as an egocentric kid. While you can't argue the kid has a very strong ego, he still has the freedom to do whatever he wants and we should all respect that.

Something tells me we will see GeoHot again. Until then, let's wish him good luck.

iPhone 4 Recall. Is This An Option?

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated March 5, 2018

The iPhone 4 antenna issue is becoming a big problem for Apple. Not that it wasn't before, but at least until then, this wasn't an "advertised" issue. With Consumer Reports saying yesterday they do not recommend the iPhone 4, the antenna problem has been brought to the mainstream.

Until today, Apple's stance had been pretty clear: "YOU create the antenna issue. The hardware is fine, you just don't know how to hold your iPhone." But can they maintain this? While fanboys easily drink the Apple Kool Aid, I doubt the average person will...

Crisis Communication expert Pr. Matthew Seeger tells Cult Of Mac:

Apple will be forced to do a recall of this product. It’s critically important. The brand image is the most important thing Apple has. This is potentially devastating.

A recall on several millions iPhone? Ouch! It's going to cost them a lot... Seeing how Apple lost 9 billion dollars in market capitalization today on the stock market in the wake of what TechCrunch call the "Antennagate", a recall might reveal more "cost effective". Doing the right thing might prevent Apple from losing more money and stain their brand forever.

At this point, I think Apple only has 3 options.

I doubt Apple will do a recall of the iPhone 4. A recall means they will fix the issue and so far, they don't know how to. So let's assume they recall your iPhone. What are they going to do with it? Put some tape around it? No. There is no fix but removing the antenna and sticking it back inside the device, but we know this isn't an option as there is no room for it inside.

The other thing Apple can do is to offer a free Bumper to every iPhone 4 owner. This will cost them a couple dollars per iPhone, which I assume is the production cost of one Bumper. Even if Apple has to give away 100 million Bumpers, it's still much better than what it's losing right now on the stock market... Sure the Bumper won't fix the antenna death grip, but at least it will appease angry or frustrated customers.

Finally, Apple's last option is to keep silent as it usually does, hoping people will be tired of trashing the iPhone 4, and see it as what it really is: the best communication device out there.

What do you think Apple will do? Will they acknowledge their mistakes and come clean? Or will they stay mute?

Looks like I now have an unlocked iPhone 4 :)

Sébastien Page ∙ July 13, 2010

These are PlanetBeing's own words, talking about the iPhone 4 unlock on Twitter. The Dev Team has been working on the iOS 4 and more specifically the iPhone 4 unlock for quite a while now and it seems we're not too far from an official release, as we talked about yesterday.

Looking at MuscleNerd's Twitter activity, one can only assume that the famous ultrasn0w iPhone unlock will be updated soon to give access to an iPhone 4 unlock to the masses. However, we need a jailbreak first, and the word going around is that Spirit for iOS 4 will be released as soon as the unlock is ready.

With Apple rumored to push an update to iOS 4, the Dev Team might want to wait a bit before releasing a jailbreak and unlock. We'll see.