Mike McKinnon·

iDongle Solves Tethered Jailbreak Issue

A new hardware solution for the tethered jailbreak has been announced over at www.myboyfriendisageek.com. It is called the "iDongle" and it is a small device that plugs into the 30 pin dock connector of your iPhone or iPod Touch. It solves the need to get home to your computer to re-jailbreak, if your device crashes or reboot on the go.

iDongle

What is a tethered jailbreak? Basically, it is a one boot jailbreak. Limitations in the newer Apple touch devices prevent the full, traditional jailbreak that we know and love. With a tethered jailbreak, you have to re-jailbreak every time you restart your device. The easy way to avoid this, is just don’t off your device, but there are times when the device will crash, or reboot on it’s own. If you’re away from your computer when this happens, this can be really annoying, especially for those who rely on unlocking their iPhones to use them. The iDongle will allow you to re-jailbreak, on the go, so you never have to worry about crashes or reboots again.

So how does it work? Here’s some details from their blog:

  • Power-on your jailbreaked device
  • On iTunes logo, plug iDongle
  • Wait for LEDs to end flashing
  • Unplug iDongle or wait for boot

Here’s some notes from their FAQ:

  • What is it ?
    This is a standalone piece of hardware able to boot your jailbreaked device (a.k.a “tethered boot”), and optionally to jailbreak and hacktivate it if not already done.
  • Why do I need this ?
    If your jailbreaked device is stuck into “recovery mode” (i.e Connect-to-iTunes logo) each time you restart or reboot your device, then it may be useful for you =)
  • How do I know if my device is concerned ?
    Any iPhone 3GS made after week 40 (2009). The week number is usually the 4th and 5th digit of the serial number. iPod Touch 2G whose serial number begins with “MC” are concerned or any iPod Touch 3G.
  • Which device is supported ?
    From now, iPhone 3GS and iPodTouch 2G/3G are supported, all with OS 3.1 / 3.1.1 / 3.1.2 only, but the later is recommended.
  • Will you support OS 3.1.3 ?
    Maybe, or not. iDongle can be easily updated through USB. If jailbreak is available, I’ll try and post a free update.
  • Does it provide unlock ?
    Not directly. Look for Geohot’s “sn0w” or Dev Team’s “ultrasn0w” package on Cydia.

They say they will have some prototypes ready for review next week, but no official release date has been announced.

Also take a look at our complete jailbreaking guide for iPhone 3.1.3 firmware for iPhone 2G, 3G, 3GS and iPod touch 1G/2G using redsn0w 0.9.3, redsn0w 0.9.4, sn0wbreeze, PwnageTool 3.1.5. Unlocking can be done using ultrasn0w or blacksn0w.

For iPhone 3.1.2 firmware, you can use blackra1n, PwnageTool, redsn0w, sn0wbreeze, ultrasn0w and blacksn0w to jailbreak and unlock your iPhone and iPod touch.

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