iPhone general advice

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kiwijunglist

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#32127 13-Apr-2009 21:52

Hi

I've been reading a few threads about unlocking but wanting some general advice about where to start. This is my first post in this forum, I usually help out newbies in the HTPC forum, now i am a newbie and would appreciate some help.

My girlfriend got given a brand new iphone 8gb from some family friends. It's an early edition that is been in storage for a while and comes pre-unlocked (I don't know what method was used to do this). The box has an AT&T logo on it, but there are no AT&T logos on the actual phone. They bought it originally from the states and received 2 copies of the phone instead of one. I am not sure how far i can update this phone since it's probably quite an early version. I'm not even sure if this model supports 3G as the box only lists quad-band GSM, Wi-Fi, EDGE, and bluetooth 2.0

I've popped in her SIM and noticed that i am unable to find an option to import contacts from SIM (Apparently the later firmware supports this). The phone is definitely unlocked as i can make calls etc...

SETTINGS -> GENERAL -> ABOUT

Version = 1.1.4 (4A102)
Serial = 847505HUWH8
Model = MA712LL

What i'd like her to be able to do is.
1. Ability to import/save SIM Contacts
2. Access to google maps with pseudo-gps (triangulation) (or preferably a pre-cached version of google maps if possible so i dont have to pay for data charges)
3. Sync music on the iphone with Windows Media Player as that is what we use on the HTPC
4. Send / Receive PXT messages

Sorry lots of questions.

Many thanks for any help you all can give this iphone newbie.

PS - I'm also very warry about updating the firmware and turning her new phone into a brick, I don't want to spend several days mucking around with the phone as I don't really have time bc of work.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

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#206731 13-Apr-2009 22:13

I have the option to send all contacts via bluetooth on my sony erricson phone, but the iphone is unresponsive. When i go into iphone:settings -> general -> bluetooth, i have bluetooth on, it says "now discoverable" but under devices it has searching... with the loading symbol and can't see either of my sony erricson phones. I can send files via bluetooth between my other devices but while the iphone is visible it doesn't respond.

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kiwijunglist

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#206743 13-Apr-2009 23:30

I now have iphone integration with WMP using http://www.mgtek.com/dopisp/
This works very well.
According to the website, the software only works with iphone versions prior to 1.1.5 or 2.x so i guess i am best staying with version 1.1.4 for now. as per here -> http://www.mgtek.com/dopisp/support/sw20update.aspx

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kiwijunglist

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#206748 14-Apr-2009 00:24

Another question is how to install swirly MMS

I installed Cydia Packager/Installer v1.0 and Fake BSD Subsystem version 2.1

(Installer version 3.0 is also listed under installed packages.)

This gives me a warning stating i am using iphoneOS 1.x and recommends i upgrade to 2.x, which i don't want to do. Because of this warning page I don't see a featured apps page. I can't find swirly MMS install in the cydia program. i tried searching for swirly, but all i get is "iMMESS MMS" which is the mms viewer for use in conjunction with swirlyMMS. How do i install the swirly mms app?

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friendlymonkey

180 posts

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#206749 14-Apr-2009 00:48

To import contacts go settings>mail,contacts,calenders>contacts>import SIM contacts
(this works in iPhone software 2.0 and up at least)

Why don't you want to upgrade the software to 2.0?

Try here for info on jail breaking or google it http://www.iphonehacks.com/jailbreak_iphone/

martin308

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#206833 14-Apr-2009 13:29

Yeh theres no good reason not to go to 2.1.1 as far as i can see. Is there a speciifc reason for not upgrading? Your missing out on alot! Also the iphone does not support any other bluetooth profiles apart from headset at the moment so no transferring contacts etc over it yet

kiwijunglist

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#206917 14-Apr-2009 18:10

Thanks friendlymonkey / martin308

I am hesitant about updating the firmware because.

(1) I don't know what kind of unlocking hack is currently used on the iphone, i don't know whether it has been jailbrocken or what method has been used to unlock the sim

(2) This is an overseas copy of the iphone, maybe the upgrade instructions will be different that what local users here are using.

(3) I don't want to accidently turn the iphone into a brick. If i damage the phone there is absolutely no way i can return it for a refund or replacement.

(4) I'm not keen on spending a long time upgrading the phone, i imagine it is reasonably complicated process and requires a few apps to be installed onto my computer

(5) If i upgrade firmware i can no longer sync with windows media player, i'd have to use itunes instead.

Do you think i should still upgrade?

I got swirlyMMS working. Installed it via the default installer rather than the cydia installer.

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dan

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#206924 14-Apr-2009 18:40

all that aside, 1.x is still lame compared to 2.2.1,

there is no way i would not give it a go.

you should be fine using quickpwn + yellowsnow if necesssary

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mjb

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#206928 14-Apr-2009 19:18

Agreed. And you should use iTunes for it.. there's no real advantage to avoiding it in preference to WMP.

Chances are very high that it has been jailbroken with Ziphone, so in actual fact, upgrading it will be to your advantage - the hack used by the Ziphone author cut some corners.

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kiwijunglist

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#206930 14-Apr-2009 19:23

ok

Sounds like all i need to do is

1. Upgrade to version 2.2.1 using itunes.

2. Run quickpwn to jailbreak the phone

There are two versions of quickpwn i could use.

(1) Latest version listed on the site is version 2.2.5-2 for windows

(2) There is also version 2.2.1 of quickpwn

" iPhone 2G users- Just update to firmware 2.2.1 through iTunes and run QuickPWN in order to jailbreak and unlock your iPhone. "
Reference - http://www.quickpwn.com/2009/01/official-quickpwn-221-and-pwnagetool-jailbreak-for-windowsmac.html

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mjb

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#206944 14-Apr-2009 20:42

Yep, that's pretty much it. The latest version you can find should do the job, but I'm not 100% sure of the status of the windows version for 2.2.1

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kiwijunglist

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#206947 14-Apr-2009 20:52

All my questions answered here.

http://www.breakitdownblog.com/how-to-install-iphone-221-firmware-on-jailbroken-and-unlocked-t-mobile-iphone/

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martin308

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#206993 15-Apr-2009 08:21

Yip that seems like a fairly good guide, enjoy

djpaubes

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#207066 15-Apr-2009 13:12

Go on do it! My phone is an at&t direct from ebay haha. Expect I jumped on the bandwagon a little early and paid rather too much for it. But its still going strong. Until June that is then its upgrade time.

Toys: Ã¯Â£Â¿ iphone 4s; PS3 good times. Ã¯Â£Â¿ 13inch macbook pro. Ã¯Â£Â¿ ipad 3. Ã¯Â£Â¿ 27inch imac. Ã¯Â£Â¿ airport express & time machine. raspberry-pi running xbmc and a gopro try hard.

T: jptocker@twitter
E: jptocker@gmail.com
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gehenna

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#207068 15-Apr-2009 13:29

It really doesn't matter what is currently on there. All you need to do is get the latest firmware and jailbreak it, then use iTunes to restore it to the phone.

Use PwnageTool on the Mac, or WinPWN to do the jailbreaking - don't bother with any of the other jailbreaking apps I've had no end of problems with them, PwnageTool and WinPWN work every time. Get them from blog.iphone-dev.org.

Once you have the app you just run it. Choose the original firmware file (if you connect your iPhone to iTunes it asks you if you want to update it with the new firmware, or just download it. Choose Download Only and then you will have a copy of the firmware on your HDD).

Run through the wizard of PwnageTool or WinPWN and then that's the firmware jailbroken.

Go back to iTunes and when the iPhone appears with the main summary screen, choose to restore it. If you're on a mac press OPT while you click on Restore. This lets you choose your firmware instead of using the downloaded one. Browse to your jailbroken firmware and let it run through the install on the iPhone. I'm not sure of the Windows alternative to OPT+Click is but it could be CTRL+click or something - google will tell you.

Once the iPhone starts up again you'll be on version 2.2.1 and can take advantage of all the great apps for that firmware, plus Cydia and the tons of jailbroken apps.

Easy, first time is always stressful but its a piece of cake and even if you screw it up the phone can always be restored

kiwijunglist

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#207075 15-Apr-2009 14:07

I upgraded using the above guide, it was simple-as

I download the latest quickpwn 2.2.5-2 and the two bin (3.9 & 4.6) files.
Then i ran itunes and did a restore+upgrade
Then i ran quickpwn which did the jailbreak, unlock and cydia install all in one step.
After that the phone works perfectly, it only took about 20 mins to do.

I didn't know i had to do ctrl+click or whatever in itunes, however it still worked perfectly, so maybe that step is not necessary. I didn't have to manually download any firmware either.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

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