Hackers Allow iPhone 3G Users to ‘Jailbreak’ New Device, Install Unauthorized Software

In hacker slang, to “pwn” means to “own” or “control”. Hackers have now “pwned” the iPhone 3G.

Only nine days after the public release of the iPhone 3G, hackers have already released Pwnage 2.0.1. The software allows users of the new iPhone 3G, the original iPhone and the iPod Touch to “jailbreak” the devices and allow the unauthorized installation of third-party software applications not available at Apple’s App Store.

There’s one important distinction to be made between “jailbreaking” and “unlocking”.

While Pwnage 2.0.1 effectively “jailbreaks” the iPhone 3G, iPhone and iPod Touch to usher in third-party software applications not available at Apple’s App Store, the software doesn’t “unlock” the phones. Unlocking allows phones to be used on unauthorized cell phone networks.

My full iPhone 3G review can be read here. My full iPhone 3G pricing analysis can be found here.