Google seems to be on a roll. They had recently released their lightweight to-do list manager, Gmail Tasks for the iPhone, followed that with the announcement that they will be releasing their new feature in Google Maps called Latitude that allows users to share their location with their friends and family for the iPhone, and towards the end of last week released the optimized version of Google Books for the iPhone (which unfortunately we have not had the time to write about).

And if that was not good enough, Google has just released Google Sync Beta for the iPhone which lets you sync your Google Calendar and your Gmail Contacts to your iPhone over the air.

Google has just solved the problem I had with iPhone’s Contacts and Calendar app by launching Google Sync Beta for the iPhone which will allow me to keep my contacts and calendar in sync with your computer and iPhone.

Marcus Foster, Product Manager of Google Mobile wrote:

They go on to explain how Google Sync will work:

However, before you get excited, you should be aware of some of the limitations of Google Sync which is currently in beta by following this link.

You should also be aware that that Google Sync will replace all existing contacts and calendar information from your iPhone, so as Google has advised please take a backup of any important data before you get started. They have also provided instructions on how to take a backup of your contact and calendar information for PC users or Mac users.

You can find out more about Google Sync in the video below:

Setting up Google Sync Beta on your iPhone appears to be quite simple, you can follow the instructions provided at Google’s Help Centre.

Apple already offers MobileMe which keeps your email, contacts and calendar in sync with your computer and iPhone for $99 per year whereas Google is offering Google Sync for free. Interestingly, Microsoft had also recently announced limited invite-only beta of its own cloud service called My Phone which will allow users to sync critical information (e.g., contacts, calendar appointments, tasks, text messages, photos, video, etc) on a user’s mobile phone to a password protected Web site for free (though it works only on phones that run the Windows Mobile 6+ operating system currently).

As always, please let us know what you think about Google Sync Beta for the iPhone in the comments below.

Apple released iPhone Firmware 2.2.1 couple of weeks back which included minor bug fixes and improvements.

However, based on this discussion thread at MacRumors Forums and this one at Apple Discussions; few users were affected by a problem which caused iTunes to crash after updating their iPhone to firmware 2.2.1.

The good news is that Apple has identified the issue and has provided a workaround to fix the problem.

Alex over at Apple Discussion board reported the problem:

Krsnet over at MacRumors Forums also reported a similar problem after upgrading to firmware 2.2.1:

It didn’t take too much time for Apple Engineers to identify the problem and provide a workaround to fix it. Apple also sent the following email to customers who might be affected:

MacRumors reports that the steps mentioned in the email have helped users fix the problem.

Did you face this problem after upgrading to firmware 2.2.1? Did you receive this email from Apple? If so, please let us know in the comments if the above solution provided by Apple helped in resolving the problem.

The Dev Team had warned iPhone 3G users against updating to firmware 2.2.1 as it also included a baseband update which breaks the “injection hole” that they had used in their application yellowsn0w to modify the firmware which had helped to successfully unlock iPhone 3G.

So if you want to update your iPhone 3G to firmware 2.2.1 but at the same time preserve its baseband so that you can also unlock it then you should follow our step-by-step guide to use Dev Team’s PwnageTool.

If you don’t want to unlock your iPhone 3G now or anytime in the future and only want to jailbreak it to install jailbreak iPhone apps then you can update your iPhone 3G with firmware 2.2.1 using iTunes and then use QuickPwn to jailbreak it.

So here is our updated step-by-step guide to jailbreak iPhone 3G using QuickPwn for Mac users updated for iPhone firmware 2.2.1.

warranty. So please proceed with caution.

• You should NOT use this guide if you want to unlock your iPhone 3G. You should use PwnageTool as it preserves the baseband, you can checkout our step-by-step guide to use Dev Team’s PwnageTool.

• This guide is to jailbreak iPhone 3G running iPhone firmware 2.2.1.

• This guide is for Mac users, Windows users can checkout our Step-by-Step guide to Jailbreak iPhone 3G running Firmware 2.2.1 using QuickPwn 2.2.5-2 for Windows.
• If you have upgraded to Mac OS X 10.5.6 (or using the new MacBooks) and facing a problem then it is because the latest update prevents your Mac from recognizing iPhone in DFU mode which is important to jailbreak iPhone 3G.

  The Dev team had suggested possible fixes which they have noted that one should try at their own risk:

  Use a USB hub in-between the DFU device and the Mac and insert/reinsert the iPhone’s USB cable. (recommended solution)

Preparatory steps before jailbreaking your iPhone 3G.

1. Please take a backup of your iPhone, refer to this post for more details.
2. Please ensure that you have upgraded iTunes to iTunes 8.0.2.
3. Please download QuickPwn 2.2.5 for Mac from any of these download links:

• http://iphone-dev.fgv6.net/QuickPwn_2.2.5.dmg
• http://iphone.schwarzmetall.cn/QuickPwn_2.2.5.dmg
• http://rabstalk.bplaced.net/mirrors/QuickPwn_2.2.5.dmg
• http://jmcoon.net/QuickPwn_2.2.5.dmg
• http://www.iphone-storage.de/QuickPwn_2.2.5.dmg
• http://downloads2.ipod.backshot.eu/QuickPwn_2.2.5.dmg
• http://miphone.ca/iphone-dev/QuickPwn_2.2.5.dmg

If your iPhone 3G firmware Version is 2.2.1 (5H11) and Modem Firmware is 02.30.03 then you are ready to jailbreak your iPhone 3G, you can skip directly to “Jailbreak iPhone 3G using QuickPwn” below.

If you want to update your iPhone 3G to firmware 2.2.1 then you can follow the steps mentioned below (”Update your iPhone 3G to iPhone Firmware 2.2.1″).

Update your iPhone 3G to iPhone Firmware 2.2.1:

1. Please note this method does NOT preserve the baseband, so by updating to iPhone firmware 2.2.1 using this method your iPhone 3G’s baseband will also get updated from 02.28.00 to 02.30.03. Dev Team’s software unlocking application yellowsn0w does NOT work with baseband 02.30.03, it only works with baseband 02.28.00.
2. Please download firmware 2.2.1 for iPhone 3G using this link.
3. Connect your iPhone 3G to your computer via USB cable and launch iTunes and select your iPhone.



4. Hold the OPTION key and click the “Restore” button. iTunes will launch a file dialog for you to select the firmware file. Locate the iPhone1,2_2.2.1_5H11_Restore.ipsw file for firmware 2.2.1 that you have downloaded in step 1 and click “Open”.



5. iTunes will then restore your iPhone with firmware 2.2.1 which takes sometime, please wait for the process to complete.

Once your iPhone 3G is updated to iPhone firmware 2.2.1, you are ready to use the QuickPwn tool to jailbreak it.

Jailbreak iPhone 3G using QuickPwn:

1. Launch QuickPwn to start jailbreaking your iPhone 3G.
2. Click Ok to accept the copyright notice.



3. You will then be prompted to connect your iPhone 3G to the computer, click the OK button once its connected.



4. QuickPwn will automatically detect your iPhone 3G.



5. QuickPwn will now automatically search for the latest firmware for your iPhone 3G.
6. You will be then be asked if you would like to replace the original boot and recovery logos on your iPhone. You can either select Yes or No to continue.



7. QuickPwn will then build the custom iPhone firmware for your iPhone 3G.



8. You will be then be prompted to enter your administrator username and password. Enter it and then click OK to continue.
9. QuickPwn will put your iPhone into DFU mode (Device Firmware Upgrade mode). It will prompt you to turn off your iPhone 3G.



10. Then you will be prompted to hold both the Home and Power buttons for 10 seconds.



11. Finally, you will prompted to release the Power button while you continue holding down the Home button for another 10 seconds.



12. If successful, you should see the message below where QuickPwn starts sending information to your iPhone 3G to jailbreak it and will be notified that QuickPwn is modifying your iPhone 3G. This step will take sometime and will result in your iPhone getting rebooted. Please don’t interrupt the process.



13. After your iPhone 3G reboots, it will be jailbroken and will have Cydia and Installer apps installed and visible on your iPhone’s home screen.

As always, don’t forget to drop us a line to tell us how it goes.

Apple released iPhone firmware 2.2.1 couple of weeks back which included some minor bugs and improvements. The Dev Team had warned against updating to firmware 2.2.1 as it also included a baseband update which breaks the “injection hole” that they had used in their application yellowsn0w to modify the firmware which had helped to successfully unlock iPhone 3G.

They released the updated version of their PwnageTool 2.2.5 which allows users to update their iPhone 3G to firmware 2.2.1 and also jailbreak it but at the same time preserve the baseband so they can unlock their iPhone.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to use Dev Team’s PwnageTool 2.2.5.

Some important points to note before we start:

• Hacking your iPhone 3G could void its warranty. So please proceed with caution.
• This guide is applicable for iPhone 3G users. The 1st generation iPhone users don’t have to worry about preserving their baseband, they can use the QuickPwn tool.
• This guide is applicable for all those who have iPhone firmware 2.2 or lower running on their iPhone 3G.
• This guide cannot be used to downgrade your baseband from 02.30.03 to 02.28.00 (currently there no method away to downgrade the baseband included in firmware 2.2.1).
• The only way to update to iPhone firmware 2.2.1 and preserve baseband is by using the PwnageTool 2.2.5. PwnageTool is only available for Mac users, so Windows users who want to unlock their iPhone 3G should either get the custom firmware created by the PwnageTool on a Mac from someone they trust or borrow their friend’s Mac and follow this guide.
• If you don’t care about unlocking your iPhone 3G now or anytime in the future then you can use QuickPwn 2.2.5 for Mac and QuickPwn 2.2.5-2 for Windows. We will be updating our step-by-step guides for Mac and Windows shortly for iPhone firmware 2.2.1.
• If you have upgraded to Mac OS X 10.5.6 (or using the new MacBooks) and facing a problem then it is because the latest update prevents your Mac from recognizing iPhone in DFU mode which is important to jailbreak iPhone 3G then use a USB hub in-between the iPhone 3G and the Mac and insert/reinsert the iPhone’s USB cable.

Preparatory steps before Jailbreaking your iPhone 3G and preserving its baseband:

• http://iphone-dev.fgv6.net/PwnageTool_2.2.5.dmg
• http://iphone.schwarzmetall.cn/PwnageTool_2.2.5.dmg
• http://rabstalk.bplaced.net/mirrors/PwnageTool_2.2.5.dmg
• http://jmcoon.net/PwnageTool_2.2.5.dmg
• http://downloads2.ipod.backshot.eu/PwnageTool_2.2.5.dmg
• http://www.iphone-storage.de/PwnageTool_2.2.5.dmg
• http://miphone.ca/iphone-dev/PwnageTool_2.2.5.dmg

Create Custom Firmware 2.2.1 using PwnageTool 2.2.5:

Restore your iPhone 3G in DFU mode with Custom iPhone Firmware created using PwnageTool 2.2.5:

You can now use the custom iPhone firmware created using the PwnageTool 2.2.5 to restore your iPhone 3G in DFU on either Mac or Windows by following these steps.

As always, don’t forget to drop us a line to tell us how it goes.

There’s good news for those of you out there who are fans of Live365 and would like to listen using your iPhone or iPod Touch. An application that will stream audio from Live365 Internet radio stations has officially been submitted to Apple for approval.

The app was planned for release in the third quarter of 2008, however it did not materialize. At the time of this writing, the ball has been in Apple’s court for two weeks.

The Live365 app will be available via the iTunes App Store, however there’s no word yet on pricing. Live365 has already released a player for Windows Mobile 5 and 6 called the Radio365-Mobile player. Alpha testing is currently ongoing for a BlackBerry Curve/Bold/Pearl version as well.

With Live365 anyone can create an Internet radio station independently and broadcast to the world. Live365 was launched in July of 1999. From their website: With thousands of stations and over 4 million listeners a month, Live365 is the world’s largest Internet radio network. Live365 offers the most diverse array of high-quality radio available today, with thousands of stations spanning myriad genres and representing over 150 countries.

The rumors have really flown this time. The iPhone 3G did not make it to Wal-Mart by the November 15th date previously reported here. However, it is now confirmed the product will be hitting shelves by the end of December. Some say the store is aiming for a pre-Christmas launch, others expect the iPhone to start selling there on December 28th.

Training materials distributed to Wal-Mart employees have pricing of the 8GB iPhone set at $197. However, employees have described a $99 4GB model to reporters at the New York Post and the San Jose Mercury News. Could it be a total fabrication?

Nothing in the Wal-Mart training materials mentions a $99 model. Apple and Wal-Mart are silent on the issue. However, reports have noted that in October Steve Jobs himself discussed how competitors might take advantage of the iPhone’s higher price. The 4GB iPhone was abandoned only months after its initial release.

It is possible a 4GB model could be announced at the Macworld Expo in January. This might boost Apple’s market share, although it would divert some consumers away from purchasing iPods and larger capacity iPhone models. Even if the hardware price drops to $99, AT&T and Apple both stand to make more money from new subscribers to data plans, iTunes, and the App Store.

Many users have been reporting problems with the iPhone firmware 2.2 upgrade from Apple. It may be that the best way to solve these problems is to take a step back and downgrade to firmware 2.1. Others inadvertently upgraded their phones when syncing to iTunes on their computer and for whatever reason would like to revert.

The process is relatively simple and should bring back the 2.1 version OS to your iPhone. Performing these steps on an iPhone 3G may work, however this article does not cover reversing the 3G baseband update included in firmware 2.2. Remember, taking these steps is at your own risk, and any hacking of the iPhone could render your remaining warranty invalid.

1) Make sure your device is connected to the PC or Mac and choose the iPhone from the menu on the left in iTunes.

2) If the device is not visible in iTunes you must first put the iPhone in DFU mode. Turn the iPhone off. Hold down the sleep and home buttons together for 10 seconds. Release the sleep button but continue to hold the home button until iTunes detects your device.

3) Go to the Summary tab. On a PC hold down the shift key and click the restore button. On a Mac hold down the option key and click the restore button.

4) Select the iPhone firmware 2.1 ipsw file.

5) While restoration is taking place if you receive errors other than 1011, 1013 or 1015 then restart the process with the device in DFU mode.

6) Check the About item in your general settings menu to make sure you have indeed restored firmware 2.1.

Apple is trying to get smart, however the iPhone DevTeam seems to have them beat. iTunes 8.0 has new features that prevent the Pwnage exploit on iPhones and iPod Touch models that have not already been jailbroken. iTunes 8.0 will not allow restores to a hacked IPSW archive on a factory firmware device. Syncing is possible, however, if the device has already been Pwned.

The problem for Apple is that PwnageTool works by exploiting a hardware bug. According to the iPhone DevTeam, this means that Apple can use software to prevent jailbreaking, but only until the DevTeam comes up with new countermeasures in the form of patches. DevTeam has already released a software patch to circumvent iTunes 8.0 when jailbreaking a clean iPod Touch.

According to the DevTeam blog, by next week a complete set of software patches will be released to render iTunes 8.0 impotent in the fight against jailbreaking. This should include a patch for new iPhone owners who have upgraded to iTunes 8.0 and plan to use the PwnageTool next. Surely this is only the next phase in what has already been a game of high-tech cat and mouse.