Just in case you were wondering whether or not you are eligible for the upgrade, you can now check easily by doing the following.

Dial *639# on your phone

You will then be returned with a text message from AT&T saying whether or not you are eligible and they will also tell you the early termination fee the’re going to waver for you, how nice!

However if you’re not eligible for the upgrade, you will be told when you are, but you can also pay $200 for an early upgrade if your desperate.

This tool can be used to

• Jailbreak iPhone 3G
• Jailbreak and unlock iPhone 2G (Guide can be found here )
• Jailbreak and unlock iPod Touch 1G
• Jailbreak and unlock iPod Touch 2G (non MC version)

here are the direct iPhone 3.1.3 download link:

Download iPhone 2G 3.1.3 OS Firmware

Download iPhone 3G 3.1.3 OS Firmware

Download iPhone 3GS 3.1.3 OS Firmware

So other than making the iPhone and iPad incompatible for swapping SIMs, could this mean Apple will put the smaller SIM in future iPhones?

This new SIM is roughly half the size of the iPhone SIM which means you can’t switch your iPhone SIM into your iPad to use its 3G ability, and apparently the Micro-SIM isn’t widely used in North America.

So why on earth did Apple opt to go with the Micro-SIM? Well it could be to save space in the iPad, or could be that Apple doesn’t want the iPhone SIM used in the iPad, or maybe its cash related as if you could use your iPhone SIM obviously you wouldn’t need to pay out for an extra data plan.

On the other hand, Apple could well be looking to use the Micro-SIM in the iPhone 4G 2010 that is expected later this year and thus allow a little extra space in the iPhone or as its half the size maybe there will be two SIMs in the iPhone 4G 2010.

Apple has the power to produce its own processing hardware since it acquired PA Semi, the fabless semiconductor company, back in the spring of 2008.

PA Semi’s expertise was used in the creation of the iPad’s 1GHz heart, although it’s also rumoured that British chip firm ARM was possibly involved in the design.

The power to produce its own chips is an asset which gives Apple more independence and control over its development and production schedule, no longer having to rely on the likes of Intel.

It also means that the hardware can be better fine-tuned for a device in production, to help with issues such as battery life, for example. Apple claims the iPad has a battery life of 10 hours under normal usage, which is pretty impressive.

As early as now, many gadget lovers were disappointed with Apple’s new device. I was one of them. I was expecting it to have at least a new Operating System which can handle multitasking. The lock screen looks very empty and with that huge screen, it will look good with widgets. It also doesn’t support flash and it has no GPS. And Jobs’ tells us it’s the netbook killer. Really? That’s like comparing a basketball player to a baseball player instead of comparing 2 basketball players.

Netbooks can do a lot more than the iPad. Can you do video call, multitask, and install any program on your iPad? The answer is a big no. As far as I know the iPad’s target audience are die hard fanboys and idiots. Who needs this device when I already have an iPhone and an iPod Touch. If I need a bigger gadget, I’ll stick with my desktop computer and laptop.
Conclusion

If you really want to have this device, don’t give in to the hype now. At least wait for the second revision or even the third revision. Don’t be an early adopter. Heed my advice and you’ll thank me in the future.

Redsn0w 0.9 works perfectly on iPhone 2G, 3G, 3GS and iPod Touch. iPhone 2G users can also unlock it with the help of this jailbreaking software. Redsn0w 0.9 is available in both versions i.e. Windows and Mac.

MuscleNerd on Twitter :

redsn0w 0.9 public beta release http://is.gd/6Jarm . JB, unlock, boot logos + more (not untethered). Mac+Win

Download Redsn0w 0.9 to jailbreak iPhone OS 3.1.2

Redsn0w 0.9 for Windows | Redsn0w 0.9 for Mac

Please Note: This software is still in beta and you may find some bugs in it. So, try it at your own risk. Once final version comes out, I’ll update this post.

As per the report in the publication, KT – the official carrier of the iPhone in South Korea, will be releasing Apple’s latest smartphone to domestic consumers as early as April this year, contrary to the iPhone update track record from the Cupertino company. Apple has always updated its best selling smartphone during summers, usually around June first in the US and then followed by other markets. But the report claims that KT and Apple are eager to launch the device earlier to combat the threat from Google’s Nexus One and Korean giants Samsung and LG’s smartphones.

Apple has always closely guarded its product launches, and as seen with the third-generation iPod Touch missing the camera when it was released, contrary to the widespread rumours suggesting the presence of camera on the portable music player. Further, the manufacturer has always been against replaceable batteries, as seen with its iPods, the present crop of iPhones and Macbooks, concentrating on making long-lasting built-in batteries for its best selling devices. Thus, the present rumour should be taken with a pinch of salt and while the OLED screen and dual-core CPUs are pointing in the right direction, removable batteries seem out of place, as seen from the track record of Apple.

Whether Apple is indeed moving towards replaceable batteries is something only the company can answer as and when the fourth-generation iPhone is announced later this year.

GeoHot says that if the demand is high enough, he will start working on the iDongle. From the results of the poll so far, people seem mostly whilling to only pay $10 for the dongle closely followed by $25.

Infinidock for iPhone/iPod Touch Video

Infinidock is sold on Cydia Store at a price of $ 0.99

Comments are predictably mixed.  Some are rejoicing, having had to deal with the iPhone’s pathetic attempts at photos in low light.  Others are cautioning that battery life may take a beating as a result of these upgrades.  Still others, the camera purists, are claiming that a 5 megapixel camera with an LED flash would not provide proper colour saturation,  etc, etc.  People would do well to remember the iPhone is primarily a phone, with a convenient computer and camera built in!  And look at the mockup by Gizmodo above, see the front facing camera?  Just a pie in the sky dream at this point, but two way video calling may become a reality with the new 4g iPhone.  Why not dream big?