Because there's a way to unlock the iPhone, there's also a way to reverse that process. It was recently reported that Apple claimed a future firmware update could render an unlocked iPhone unusable, but the company apparently washed its hands off users who deliberately modified their phones against the stipulations put forth by Apple.

But just before the shining light from Heaven was no more, suddenly a "re-locking" guide rolls down the iPhone community's way, and everyone's hopeful again. If we let upgrade-or-die quarrels aside, this guide gives iPhone users a choice to get in line with the latest features, without compromising their third-party applications (limited by the extents of restore, of course).

The guide, though still quite iffy on the easy-to-follow end, has had some good feedback on re-locks and just about as many bad results. While the reason behind locking failures is still being figured out, you might want to stave off from re-locking (or updating, as the argument stands) until the success statistics feel more favorable to you.

Check the Read link below for the guide ad verbatim, which has been pointed toward the proper section for re-locking. Be aware that there is a fair chance of failing in the locking procedure and proceed with caution. The guide offers solution in Apple Mac OS X and Windows, whichever environment that suits (or is available to) you now.

Those who think that the current iPhone unlock software is a bit too expensive may want to check out iUnlock Reloaded, the alternate solution created by the iPhoneDev team. The developers claim that their unlocking software is easy to use, and judging by the instructions on how to use this application, it really does seem to be a piece of cake.

iPhone owners only need to copy the software to the phone and it will do the job on its own once the program is executed. See? Piece of cake! And there's no need to pay resellers of a certain other iPhone unlocking software.

The iPhoneDev team also sent in a few instructions on what to do to make iUnlock Reloaded run properly:

• upload all 3 files to your phone in some location you prefer
• ssh in
• run iUnlock_Reloaded (./iUnlock_reloaded)
• be happy if its done

Getting the hang of it so far? We don't blame you if you didn't. iPhoneDev weren't able to provide a more detailed discussion on how exactly one performs an SSH, nor did they supply a readme file along with the software, which is available for download right at the bottom of this article. Do check this space for more updates on how to unlock your phone using this software!

Download: iUnlock Reloaded

It was probably inevitable; the fact that Apple's iPhone is now available with a software unlock in more than 40 countries all over the globe before it's even supposed to be officially available in some of these areas.

The image (left) shows the list compiled by the iPhone Dev Team of 32 countries and 69 carriers with the iPhone software unlock already been tested and good to go. The phones were confirmed to have working incoming and outgoing calls, as well as SMS compatibility, EDGE/GPRS access, and non-visual voicemail access.

In actuality, however, the list above has recently been appended with an additional 10 countries and 11 carriers according to additional contributions from the source's website. With the growing number of software unlocked iPhones being made available worldwide, who knows? Perhaps you'll find a working iPhone just around the corner from where you live before you know it.

Additional countries and carriers include:

• New Zealand/Vodafone
• Spain/Movistar
• Poland/Orange
• Czech Republic/Vodafone
• Bahrain/Batelcom/MTC Vodafone
• Israel/Cellcom
• Hungary/T-Mobile
• Belgium/Proximus/Base/Mobistar
• Kuwait/Wataniya
• Ireland/Meteor

The iPhone unlocking software by iPhoneSIMfree has already been released for a few days now, and its about time to check out how the application is faring in its attempt to unlock numerous iPhone units.

The unlocking software has encountered a small snag in a reseller's first few attempts to use the application, but iPhoneSIMfree responded quickly and saved the day with a quick fix to the bug.

So what is this bug, and how did it hinder the unlocking process? As a Gizmodo blogger reported, the bug caused the unlocking software to not work on phones with the auto-lock setting enabled.

Upon learning of this issue, iPhoneSIMfree almost immediately sent out a fix to their resellers and updated their site informing of the bug, warning iPhone users to disable the auto-lock function before using the application.

iPhoneSIMfree now ensures that the small (but almost heart-wrenching) bug has been taken care of, and will unlock EVERY iPhone. For more information about the iPhone unlock software, do check out the Read link.

Aside from the battle against Apple and the whole legal hoopla on tinkering with your personally owned iPhone, independent homebrew developers are at war against each other, so to speak, on coming up with a program that will ultimately unlock the gadget.

iPhoneSIMFree came up with it first but the thing with these devs is that they want the application to be purchased wholesale, meaning end-users will not benefit much from it. We learned the other day, that a group of another coders collectively known as iPhone Dev Team released the program iUnlock, which is ready for download anytime.

We have to remind you that installing iUnlock is not as easy as using iPhoneSIMFree. But if you really want to make your iPhone open source, a little courage and technical know-how should do the trick for you. There are a couple of files needed and procedures to be followed to avoid any problems whatsoever.

To avoid these so-called problems, here are the steps directly from the developers themselves. No one will be held liable except yourself if you brick your iPhones. All files mentioned in the procedures can be downloaded at DL.QJ.NET with the link provided after the jump.

The step-by-step procedure and the download link after the jump!

A recent announcement by the Steve (that's Mr. Steve Jobs, to most of us mortals) last Wednesday revealed that iPhone owners would now be able to buy songs from iTunes and get a 30 second ringtone thrown into the deal if they pay double the price for their purchases.

However, if you want to get the most bang out of your buck, you can follow these five easy steps in getting yourself your own customizable Ringtone without having to pay the extra charge. You basically just have to rename the .m4a file to a .m4r and that's pretty much it. While this procedure is Mac specific, it should work the same way on a PC.

Anyway, here's the step by step tutorial on how to install your own Ringtones according to our source:

1. Convert the song you want to use as a ringtone to AAC 128kbps. OR if it is already in this format, duplicate it. Then, in iTunes, add an additional word or letter to the title in the duplicate or new AAC (I just put "(ringtone)").
2. Drag the file onto your desktop, and edit the file in another program. I have Sound Studio which is pretty easy to edit an AAC file and add a fade in/fade out, but apparently Audacity and Garageband work as well. There is obviously a size limit on the file, the best guess on Macrumors.com so far is between 3.1 and 3.5mb. However, if the file is too big, it will not show up on your "Sounds" menu on the iPhone. I usually edit the song down to about a 20-30 second clip and save it.
3. Click Apple+I (or right click "Get Info"). Change the file name from .m4a to .m4r in the "Name & Extension" section. When asked if you want to change the extension, select "Use .m4r;". Also change the file name to what you want it to show up as on your phone. For example, by default it will be . I deleted the song track number.
4. Drag the file into iTunes. Since the "Ringtones" feature isnÂ?t completely enabled yet, it won't show up anywhere in your Library, but once you Sync your phone, the ringtone will show up in a list under the "Ringtone" tab. You can manually delete the file from the Home > Music > iTunes > iTunes Music > Ringtones, but this wonÂ?t delete it from iTunes. For that you will have to re-create your iTunes Library which will reset all play counts and dates added. So just deal with the extra files until the feature is completely enabled.
5. After that, plug your phone up and click the "Ringtones" tab. You can choose to "Sync All" or select the ringtones you want. If it shows up in your Ringtones list in iTunes, but doesn't show up on your phone, the problem is that the file size is too large. Edit it down and try again. Otherwise, click "Apply" and enjoy. No more Marimba.

Take note however that with the 7.4.1. iTunes update released by Apple, you won't be able to pull off the above mentioned steps. Also, if you have a previously installed Ringtone with iToner, iPhoneRingToneMaker or other hacks then you will lose them if you upgrade your iTunes. You might want to check out this video courtesy of LoPo21 we included in relation to the tutorial, just take care you don't brick your iPhone by accident.

Check out a video courtesy of LoPo21 detailing the "hacking" process right after the jump!

One of the very first predictions to surface for the new iPod is that it would be an iPhone without the Phone and that seems to be the case - to the letter. Gizmodo got some unofficial word from inside Apple that the iPod Touch can run all the applications that the iPhone can (save for the ones that use the phone function of course, which would be useless).

The iPod Touch and the iPhone "use the same damn binaries," according to the source. Except for the interface, there's no real difference between the two devices. Although the iPod Touch will not have Mail or Weather and Stocks as part of its application collection (probably just to differentiate the functions of the device), they both run on the same Mac OS X core.

Logically the iPod Touch can run any application - even third party software - the iPhone can. So even if the iPod Touch doesn't initially have the same programs, all it should take is to allow a method of transfer of iPhone applications to the iPod Touch and voila! Once the iPod Touch comes out it won't be long before this is confirmed. Updates as we get them.

Those who want to use their iPhones unlocked now have their wish granted...well, almost. iPhoneSIMfree already released their iPhone-unlocking software, but here's the catch: iPhoneSIMfree claims to be a wholesale company, and will not sell the software to end users.

That means that for you get ahold of the software, you either need to have your iPhone unlocked by a reseller, or be a reseller yourself. Of course, you can just apply to be a reseller and just use the software yourself, but before thinking about that, check out the following prices first (minimum number of licenses is 50):

• 50 licenses: US$ 36/each
• 100 licenses: US$ 34/each
• 250 licenses: US$ 32/each
• 500 licenses: US$ 30/each
• 1000 licenses: US$ 28/each
• 2500 licenses: US$ 27/each
• 5000 licenses: US$ 25/each

Here's how it goes: once resellers made their payment, they will receive an application that should be installed in their iPhones. Using Wi-Fi connection they will log into the internet using the iPhone and connect to the iPhoneSIMfree back office or website to have it unlocked.

However, it should be noted that having your iPhone unlocked by a third-party reseller has its own hassles: you need to send in your iPhone or bring your iPhone to those who have bought the licenses, which may mean additional trouble.

Also, If ever your iPhone gets bricked due to the software, it's greatly possible that you'll be stuck with only the third-party reseller to blame, and not iPhoneSIMfree themselves.

Being able to unlock the iPhone is a pretty solid option, but with the choices currently available it sure looks like a risky venture, at least for the meantime.

Lifehacker.com has published a simple and easy-to-understand tutorial on how users can install third-party applications on the Apple iPhone. If you're an iPhone owner looking to get a taste of iPhone homebrew, then this might just be the tutorial you're looking for.

The first step in the tutorial involves "jailbreaking" the iPhone. This process allows users to proceed with the installation of third-party applications. Mac and Windows users have to use different software to do this, with the former using AppTapp Installer and the latter using iBrickr. Of course, these aren't covered by your iPhone's warranty, so it's strictly a "do this at your own risk" thing.

The tutorial not only includes the basic how-to it also lists a few of the more useful iPhone applications currently available. You can also check out a few of the third-party iPhone applications we've covered in the past by clicking here. You can check out the full tutorial by clicking on the Read link below.

Looks like the iPhoneSimFree group, who claimed to have hacked the iPhone a week ago, isn't hampered by the same legal dilemma as UniquePhones. The company has developed a software-only unlocker for the iPhone which they will be releasing within the next 48 hours.

To satisfy doubters, iPhoneSimFree is also holding a contest where three winners can have their iPhones unlocked for free. No definite price has been announced yet but they will be offering as many payment options as possible. They are confident that it will do its job but they don't offer a money back guarantee if Apple chooses to lock the device again in the future.

They claim that the only difference between pre- and post-unlocking the iPhone would be the Visual Voice Mail which is an exclusive feature of AT&T. Whether or not AT&T will be able to delay or entirely halt the operation before its release like it did for UniquePhone's unlocking software is still in question. Most likely we'll hear about it within the next 48 hours.