This is a follow-up round up of our previous post: Roundup of jailbreaking, unlocking the iPhone 2.0 2G and 3G so far…

As most will know the latest firmware for the iPhone 2G and the 3G is currently 2.0.1 and no longer 2.0. However the latest version of the Pwnage Tool 2.0.1 isn’t a version match which means it has nothing to do with jailbreaking the firmware 2.0.1 iPhone 2G or 3G. However it is effective for jailbreaking firmware 2.0, click here to see more on this.

At the moment, whether your iPhone is 2G or 3G and is working fine, jailbroken on firmware 2.0 then it is suggested that you leave it alone and not update via iTunes. There isn’t much that can be done once you have updated to 2.0.1, it will almost inevitably render you losing all your favorite unofficial native iPhone apps. If you were using an unlocked iPhone then it means that your iPhone will be locked. So if you were using an iPhone with a SIM from some other carrier then it would make your iPhone unusable, also termed as “iBrick” in the iPhone hacking terms.

However if you’ve got a contract and don’t plan on switching to any other carrier or network in the near future, plus you’re not bothered about unofficial native iPhone apps, here is what some users have noticed about the latest firmware 2.0.1 upgrade:

• SMS typing faster
• Faster backup process
• Some users are reporting that the iPhone seems a lot snappier after the update
• Contacts app loads faster
• Safari seems to be significantly more responsive after the update

Here is also what the iPhone Dev Team have noticed about the latest firmware 2.0.1:

The iPhone Dev Team have noticed that iPhone firmware 2.0.1 also updates iPhone 3G baseband. This means that even if the iPhone Dev Team release an updated version of their Pwnage Tool to unlock iPhone 3G running iPhone firmware 2.0, it will not be able to unlock iPhone 3G running iPhone firmware 2.0.1 as the baseband has also been updated. So you run the risk of your iPhone 3G being rendered un-lockable until the iPhone Dev Team get around to unlocking the iPhone 3G baseband bundled iPhone firmware 2.0.1.

Meanwhile here is what the iPhone Dev Team have said on their blog, a quick summary on a few situations and what you should do at this moment:

• If you own a first generation (2G iPhone), no matter what you do now, you don’t have to worry, the next PwnageTool will get you where you want even if it you prematurely updated. 2G is completely pwned at every conceivable level and you’ll always be OK. But if you own a 3G iPhone and are looking for unlock in the near future, don’t use Apple’s update yet!

• If your 3G iPhone is on a regular contract and you always plan to be with the carrier then you can update but you will lose the jailbreak and access to third party (non AppStore) applications.

• If your 3G iPhone is not on a regular contract and you plan to use it on an alternative network to the carrier that supplied it then do not update unless you do it with the impending PwnageTool update.

Update (09/08/2008): Pwnage Tool 2.0.2 just released, it can be used to jailbreak first generation iPhones running 1.1.x versions and 2.0.1 of the iPhone firmware as well as the iPhone 3G running the latest firmware 2.0.1.

Click here for the download links…

Remember like the previous version of the Pwnage Tool, it will be able to jailbreak and unlock the iPhone 2G (first generation) running the versions mentioned above but only jailbreak and not unlock the iPhone 3G.

One important point to note is that the Pwnage Tool at the moment is only suitable for Mac users, however for iPhone 3G users, the iPhone Dev Team still recommends that you stay with firmware 2.0.1 and not upgrade if you’re expecting to unlock your iPhone in the future.

For Windows users, because the Pwnage Tool 2.0.2 just released by the iPhone Dev Team doesn’t work for Windows, we suggest that you don’t upgrade to the latest 2.0.1 firmware while you wait for an update of the ‘WinPwn’ Tool to be released.

We recommend iPhone users to have a look at our previous jailbreak and unlock roundup for firmware 2.0 if you’ve not upgraded to the latest 2.0.1 yet…

Update (12/08/2008): The latest version of WinPwn is out, Windows users can now use it to jailbreak and unlock their iPhone first gen and jailbreak iPhone 3G. This means that still it is not possible to unlock the iPhone 3G and using the i-Smartphone unlock chip seems to remain as the only method. Click on the screenshot below to be transferred to WinPwn’s blog for instructions and download links for the latest WinPwn 2.0.0.4…

Update (18/08/2008): New tool from the iPhone Dev Team released to complement the already available Pwnage Tool 2.0.2, it’s called QuickPwn and it’s for Windows!

Quickpwn has been released as a beta, intended to complement the main PwnageTool. It works with iPhones and iPod’s running 2.0.1 firmware, and operates very quickly without needing iTunes to rebuild/restore your device afterwards. This beta version is basically feature-complete, but lacks a “funky UI” (they’re adding that soon) and is currently windows only (other OS’s are “coming soon”).

The good thing about QuickPwn, though it’s just in beta and still under development, is that it’s impossible for it to permanently damage your device. Currently QuickPwn requires your device to be running version 2.0.1 of the iPhone/iPod firmware. This requirement will change in a subsequent release. Click here for the download…

[via iPhone Dev Team Blog]