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  1. Tech consultation needed guys...
    I'm considering my options for a new cell phone, and I have some questions about the iPhone 3GS.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to have been Jailbroken already. So what will that mean? That I get to install 3rd party software?

    Is there any way for me to install apple approved free software without getting it through iTunes? Because I can't use iTunes from Iran, it says your country is blah blah ...

    One of the reasons I'm considering the iPhone over other touch-screen or similar smartphones is ithe many great softwares that are available for it. Considering my issue with iTunes described above, is it still worth it? If I can't get the approved ones, are the third party ones as many and as good?

    Now, this is the most important question and I haven't been able to find a trustworthy answer online! The iPhone is not imported here by any major company, it's mostly shop owners buying a whole suit case of it abroad and bringing it here. So, the prices are high. I think that right now the 3GS is around a 1000 USD. I don't know if they have unlocked it or bought it off contract, but that's the price.
    What I wanna know is this, how are these contracts? Can I ask a friend to buy me a contracted 3GS from the UK and bring it here when she comes to Iran and then unlock and use it here? Is it possible to do? Will it cost me less? Will the contract cause me any trouble, like having to pay a fixed fee every month till the end of the contract or stuff like that?

    And another question I guess would be this, any news/rumours on Apple releasing a newer version soon? Cause I won't be getting the iPhone till 1.5months from now, I don't want to get the 3GS and then watch apple release a newer better version of the phone a month later!!
  2. Originally posted by Ali709:Tech consultation needed guys...
    I'm considering my options for a new cell phone, and I have some questions about the iPhone 3GS.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to have been Jailbroken already. So what will that mean? That I get to install 3rd party software?

    Is there any way for me to install apple approved free software without getting it through iTunes? Because I can't use iTunes from Iran, it says your country is blah blah ...

    One of the reasons I'm considering the iPhone over other touch-screen or similar smartphones is ithe many great softwares that are available for it. Considering my issue with iTunes described above, is it still worth it? If I can't get the approved ones, are the third party ones as many and as good?

    Now, this is the most important question and I haven't been able to find a trustworthy answer online! The iPhone is not imported here by any major company, it's mostly shop owners buying a whole suit case of it abroad and bringing it here. So, the prices are high. I think that right now the 3GS is around a 1000 USD. I don't know if they have unlocked it or bought it off contract, but that's the price.
    What I wanna know is this, how are these contracts? Can I ask a friend to buy me a contracted 3GS from the UK and bring it here when she comes to Iran and then unlock and use it here? Is it possible to do? Will it cost me less? Will the contract cause me any trouble, like having to pay a fixed fee every month till the end of the contract or stuff like that?

    And another question I guess would be this, any news/rumours on Apple releasing a newer version soon? Cause I won't be getting the iPhone till 1.5months from now, I don't want to get the 3GS and then watch apple release a newer better version of the phone a month later!!


    The 16GB model here is around 650 euro's without contract. So you can save something if you can get it over the border.

    I think the prices in the UK are similar, maybe a bit cheaper
  3. Originally posted by Risto:[..]

    The 16GB model here is around 650 euro's without contract. So you can save something if you can get it over the border.

    I think the prices in the UK are similar, maybe a bit cheaper


    Thanks for that info. Do you know anything about the contracted ones tho? The stuff that I asked above? Cause I can save a lot more if I get a contracted one
  4. 2 years 30 euro a month + 100 euro once for the 16gb 3gs model. The older model is 70 euro's cheaper.

    This all in Holland, i dont know about the UK. But relatively due to the EURO-GBP course i expect it a bit cheaper.
  5. Originally posted by Ali709:Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to have been Jailbroken already. So what will that mean? That I get to install 3rd party software?


    Jailbroken means you lift the restrictions Apple places on the device. I know for good reason they can be good but for the most part they're not.


    - Installing themes and installing new interfaces and UIs

    - Installing homebrew apps and other non-approved apps (SBSettings, Winterboard, Terminal...)

    - Unlocking the phone and not having to go through a major provider to do so

    - Accessing the filesystem and getting the device to be far more secure than before.


    How do you know it is jailbroken - out of interest?




    Is there any way for me to install apple approved free software without getting it through iTunes? Because I can't use iTunes from Iran, it says your country is blah blah


    Yeah, Iran won't be able to access the App Store - but you're not missing much either. So you can install approved software, but not using the App Store. I don't buy anything from there so it doesn't affect me, so using the patch needed is kinda redundant to me.

    I've had mine jailbroken the night I got it - just having one that I actually could download apps from is great and theming it - and couldn't imagine going with it non-JBed. For those who are serious nerds and geeks it's great to change system text so instead of Safari saying ''You can't access this page because you're not connected'', I can have it say ''Turn on your wireless, you idiot!''

    Plus I could hide the apps of no use to me. I don't need Stocks or Weather. I don't have stocks and I can look out the window or go outside.





    One of the reasons I'm considering the iPhone over other touch-screen or similar smartphones is ithe many great softwares that are available for it. Considering my issue with iTunes described above, is it still worth it? If I can't get the approved ones, are the third party ones as many and as good?


    Hahahaha, depends on the apps you're after. Some great great games and organiser apps but apart from that it's pretty much 70% crap.




    Now, this is the most important question and I haven't been able to find a trustworthy answer online! The iPhone is not imported here by any major company, it's mostly shop owners buying a whole suit case of it abroad and bringing it here. So, the prices are high. I think that right now the 3GS is around a 1000 USD. I don't know if they have unlocked it or bought it off contract, but that's the price.
    What I wanna know is this, how are these contracts? Can I ask a friend to buy me a contracted 3GS from the UK and bring it here when she comes to Iran and then unlock and use it here? Is it possible to do? Will it cost me less? Will the contract cause me any trouble, like having to pay a fixed fee every month till the end of the contract or stuff like that?


    I'm sure the UK sell unlocked phones as pre-paid, so you get one of those and use your current SIM card.



    And another question I guess would be this, any news/rumours on Apple releasing a newer version soon? Cause I won't be getting the iPhone till 1.5months from now, I don't want to get the 3GS and then watch apple release a newer better version of the phone a month later!!


    Probably not until late next year. The 3GS is the latest one out I think.
  6. Jailbroken means you lift the restrictions Apple places on the device. I know for good reason they can be good but for the most part they're not.


    - Installing themes and installing new interfaces and UIs

    - Installing homebrew apps and other non-approved apps (SBSettings, Winterboard, Terminal...)

    - Unlocking the phone and not having to go through a major provider to do so

    - Accessing the filesystem and getting the device to be far more secure than before.


    How do you know it is jailbroken - out of interest?

    Yep, I remember you and Dan talking about it before, and as I can't use the Apple Store, that's the only way for me to install software.


    Yeah, Iran won't be able to access the App Store - but you're not missing much either. So you can install approved software, but not using the App Store. I don't buy anything from there so it doesn't affect me, so using the patch needed is kinda redundant to me.


    Umm...I'm not following, are you saying that I can install the approved software from places other than the app store?

    I've had mine jailbroken the night I got it - just having one that I actually could download apps from is great and theming it - and couldn't imagine going with it non-JBed. For those who are serious nerds and geeks it's great to change system text so instead of Safari saying ''You can't access this page because you're not connected'', I can have it say ''Turn on your wireless, you idiot!''

    Plus I could hide the apps of no use to me. I don't need Stocks or Weather. I don't have stocks and I can look out the window or go outside.


    Yep, I'm like that too, I play around a lot with these stuff, remember you helped me watch video on my iPod Nano 1st Generation? That was awesome

    Hahahaha, depends on the apps you're after. Some great great games and organiser apps but apart from that it's pretty much 70% crap.


    Nothing specific really, I've just heard that it has better software, at least compared to what's there for similar phones by Nokia and Sony Ericsson. I don't know about Android phones tho


    I'm sure the UK sell unlocked phones as pre-paid, so you get one of those and use your current SIM card.


    So you're saying that this plan won't be worth it with a contracted one? Cause the price difference really makes you think! If I have to pay something like 30 euros a month for 2 years as Chris pointed out, then it's not worth it. What's the price range on the pre-paid ones?
  7. I hope you don't mind me quoting your responses!


    Yep, I remember you and Dan talking about it before, and as I can't use the Apple Store, that's the only way for me to install software.


    Ah right and I think he's JBed his touch as well.





    Umm...I'm not following, are you saying that I can install the approved software from places other than the app store?


    You certainly can. I'll get back to you in a second on it.

    Can you open a US account and install the free apps from iTunes from there? I know I was able to set up a UK and Ireland one, but the US might be different...





    Yep, I'm like that too, I play around a lot with these stuff, remember you helped me watch video on my iPod Nano 1st Generation? That was awesome


    I have to say that was some pretty good programming on their part. I sure as hell couldn't have done that, and looking at the source files for both jailbreak and Rockbox it looks a hell of a job. I'm glad we've got these kinds of people around to plug the holes that the actual company couldn't.






    Nothing specific really, I've just heard that it has better software, at least compared to what's there for similar phones by Nokia and Sony Ericsson. I don't know about Android phones tho


    Android software is pretty cool because it's pushed by the devs (and some of the iPhone software is outstanding), but the standard crap Nokia and SE offers is pretty poor. I mean, the calendar is missing important functions but I guess for a basic phone, like most people describe. it does the job well enough. And a lot of people use their phones for music players, but why you'd use the standard ones is beyond me...try playing 20 songs in a row. The thing crashes!!!





    So you're saying that this plan won't be worth it with a contracted one? Cause the price difference really makes you think! If I have to pay something like 30 euros a month for 2 years as Chris pointed out, then it's not worth it. What's the price range on the pre-paid ones?


    Only if you want to use your own SIM card. Otherwise their plans could be very good.

    Not sure on the UK's current pricing. Orange, Three and Virgin all offer Pre-Paid, so have a look there and compare is your best bet.
  8. I hope you don't mind me quoting your responses!

    That's what we do

    You certainly can. I'll get back to you in a second on it.

    Can you open a US account and install the free apps from iTunes from there? I know I was able to set up a UK and Ireland one, but the US might be different...


    Hmm, I'm not sure why I didn't do that. Or maybe I did and it noticed that I'm connecting from Iran. Not sure, long time ago.


    I have to say that was some pretty good programming on their part. I sure as hell couldn't have done that, and looking at the source files for both jailbreak and Rockbox it looks a hell of a job. I'm glad we've got these kinds of people around to plug the holes that the actual company couldn't.


    Yea, I meant you introduced me to Rockbox and helped me with the probs of it, but yes, great programming indeed.

    Android software is pretty cool because it's pushed by the devs (and some of the iPhone software is outstanding), but the standard crap Nokia and SE offers is pretty poor. I mean, the calendar is missing important functions but I guess for a basic phone, like most people describe. it does the job well enough. And a lot of people use their phones for music players, but why you'd use the standard ones is beyond me...try playing 20 songs in a row. The thing crashes!!!


    Right, that's why I'm not considering the new Nokia and SE models, it's either android or iphone...


    Only if you want to use your own SIM card. Otherwise their plans could be very good.

    Not sure on the UK's current pricing. Orange, Three and Virgin all offer Pre-Paid, so have a look there and compare is your best bet.


    Yea, well I'm using my own SIM. Thanks a lot for all the help Drew, will check them out
  9. Hmm, I'm not sure why I didn't do that. Or maybe I did and it noticed that I'm connecting from Iran. Not sure, long time ago.


    No worries - the new way should hopefully help. Maybe it detected the IP address wasn't in the US...who knows. It's all well and good selling devices all around the world but the best thing to do is actually check the company supports buying extensions to it. After all, every country and region they don't support is a financial loss to them - their problem.

    I'm actually re-jailbreaking mine right now because of all the new UI designs coming out. I want a different interface to the other bog-standard touches.




    Yea, I meant you introduced me to Rockbox and helped me with the probs of it, but yes, great programming indeed.


    Oh I knew that but just the amount of coding in that to play a video is amazing to say the least.




    Right, that's why I'm not considering the new Nokia and SE models, it's either android or iphone...


    The great thing about the Android and the iPhone is that you can have a customizable UI and change out whatever you want. I don't like the horrible font they use so I change that, I don't like the ugly icons...they're gone. Just like that. Too easy, and that's one of the reasons a lot of people root (not being dirty, that's the term for the hacking of Android) or jailbreaking.

    The worst UI I ever came across was the Motorola ones. Absolutely horrible things to work. But the Nokia 6500 which I have takes the cake for being the biggest piece of crap Nokia ever made. The keypad doesn't work like a physical keypad should, the sound is so tinny it's actually painful and the battery sucks bad. Two days compared to the bigger ones which have five days?





    Yea, well I'm using my own SIM. Thanks a lot for all the help Drew, will check them out


    I'd take a look around, absolutely. Just be sure you get one that handles dual, tri or quad band. What does Iran operate on?
  10. Originally posted by Ali709:[..]
    That's what we do

    [..]

    Hmm, I'm not sure why I didn't do that. Or maybe I did and it noticed that I'm connecting from Iran. Not sure, long time ago.




    Ali, have you thought about using a proxy to anonymise you, or is that a risky proposition now? I know the Haystack Network created a product similar to China's Freegate for use in Iran to provide safe anonymous internet access. Whether it's something you can use, would be for you to judge.
  11. Umm... now you've gone above my head, don't know, will have to check that out. But I don't think there will be any complications on those stuff. A friend of mine did something similar to what I'm planning,but with a Blackberry, he got it in London. I'll check with him as well. Thanks for pointing that out.












  12. ProSwitcher (app preview), SnowCover (lock screen cover art), GRiP (message alert popups) and PogoPlank (folder-in-folder UI). Anyone like these?
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