A tethered jailbreak isn't so bad really, I think if the phone does crash (which it doesn't do often anymore in my opinion) it boots into an unjailbroken mode? (might be wrong on this) Nevertheless, as long as you refrain from installing any SpringBoard extensions that don't support MobileSubstrate while you don't have access to blackra1n (to boot your 3GS with the tethered jailbreak) you should be OK I think.

My guess is that we are very unlikely to be able to unlock future basebands via software in a long while so either buy a factory unlocked iPhone, or take this opportunity!

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16Gb iPhone - Unlocked via BootNeuter
32Gb iPhone 3GS - Officially unlocked

Actually, it reboots to recovery mode because the bootrom detects the firmware has invalid digital signatures (because it is jailbroken).

You can't use the iPhone again until you kickstart the iPhone past the invalid signature problem by running blackra1n again.

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Please read the stickies and search the forum before posting!
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iPhone 3GS 32GB factory unlocked (3.1; Pwnagetool, Cydia, OpenSSH)
iPhone 8BG (3.1.2; Pwnagetool, Cydia, OpenSSH)

Hi guys! I have the pleasure to tell you that I bought a new 3GS iPhone at BESTBUY last week in San Francisco, and jailbreaked it right away with blakra1n. Used it in wifi etc for a week and just unlocked it yesterday with blaksn0w (THANX George !!) . Works PERFECT! I am awestruck... sooo easy!
PS version 3.1 and firmware 05.11.07
Mariane (from BRAZIL)

They didn't ask you for SSN right? I've read somewhere on the web that California is the only state where they let you buy a phone without necessarily presenting a Social Security Number. I would like to thank everyone of you for the input. I appreciate it.

As far as how i am doing, well...
My parents decided to gift me whatever cellphone i choose as a Christmas present. I'm really glad for the support. I am between a 3GS or a Nokia N900. It will take me a while to get my phone though... I don't have plans to travel to the states so i'll ask a friend of mine. I know, i am the one who makes the choice. I'm just waiting for reviews,thoughts and comments about the Maemo N900 web browsing experience. (which is my top priority concern)

A 32GB 3GS iPhone would be eventually cheaper at around $586 [$300 iPhone+ $36 Activation Fee + $170 ETF + $80 Plan] without tax thus my quick calculations. How much is tax? The N900 on the other hand would go for $650 on nokiausa site. Buying the iPhone would suppose a more serious hassle as i have to get around SSN,bothering my friend and even make him check production weeks. The Nokia on the other hand would be to pay via the net and that's it. So in order to take a decision i need your honest and non biased suggestions.

If i were to buy a 3GS which of all the retailers,stores would be the best buying experience for a foreigner such as me? I mean, which store would be the most flexible as far as the SSN policy goes. Best Buy? AT&T? Walmart? Apple? I would be purchasing at FL. I'm a polite, cute teenage female.

Also, as i understood from previous posts even current week 40 is now unlockable. So i may tell my friend, not to worry about production week right?

I'm sorry if i am asking all over again. But as i am sending someone else, i want to get all things clear and straight to make the experience to my friend the most convenient. Said this, i want to secure 100% my Christmas gift, even if a mundane issue such as buying a cellphone means. Most likely i won't be able to travel to FL this Dec, but i would like to know your thoughts on both cases. As you see, i am NOT even thinking of buying a factory unlocked 3GS. Too much money in place. The highest i can go would be for the N900 and that's asking too much from my loving parents.

PS: I am not an ebay person.

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iPhone 2G 8GB 3.1
Mac OS X 10.5.8
Unlocked since September 19th 2007.

No, they didn't ask for my SSN.
In fact, the lady at Best Buy was selling it to somebody else when I arrived, and he was asking for one of the boxes in the back of the shelf When I asked for the price without the contract ($699), she seemed to be pissed off. She told me she was just informed at that moment she was supposed to sell the iphone without a contract if the client asked for it. I guess I was at the right place at the right time, uh?
Well, on the next day I went to Apple Store at Union Square, and asked the price of the 3GS 32G without the contract. SURPRISE! They told me on a very cynical face that it was impossible, and that I could only buy it with a 2year term with AT&T...
Any particular thoughts???
Mariane

I saw one. I touched one. I am almost needing one. Keep an eye on the Moto Droid.

Jokes aside, Motorola Droid phone may shake things and pushes Apple to improve even more future iPhones.

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Mandatory reading: [ALL MEMBERS] Jailbreak is not Activate is not Unlock

I haven't played with Droid, but saw a side-by-side comparison on youtube. I was not impressed to tell you the truth... I'm not an Apple fanboy, but it looked and felt like another run-of-the-mill player in the global race to catch up with the iphone... Yeah, I know it was just a video review, though a pretty comprehensive one, but anyway... Strictly IMHO of course...

The Motorola Droid looks like it was beaten with the ugly stick several times over... IMO.

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16Gb iPhone - Unlocked via BootNeuter
32Gb iPhone 3GS - Officially unlocked

yup yup, i also considered an Omnia HD but as a secondary phone. Really, i am just waiting N900 launch and some youtube comparisons between this and 3GS on web browsing, load times and things. So what do you all guys think about the N900?

Would you change your 3GS for a N900?

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iPhone 2G 8GB 3.1
Mac OS X 10.5.8
Unlocked since September 19th 2007.

Haven't seen the N900 but I'd definitely take the iphone any day over any phone out there... And I don't think switching to Nokia is a good idea once you've been with the first gen iphone for a while..

Update: checked it on youtube.. Are you serious? Have you seen how THICK it is? Cute teenage girls and thick Nokias hardly go together... IMO... And answering your question - no, I wouldn't trade even my first gen for N900...