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Earlier this year, Apple announced that the iPhone would be available on Verizon. The technology press immediately heralded it as a groundbreaking decision – one that would end the complaints of dropped calls, poor signals, and costly service. It was a revolution in choice, an option for iPhone users to pick their carrier instead of being forced into working with AT&T.

But was it really a revolution in choice? Hardly. With eight major carriers in the United States and a lengthy list of regional carriers, giving iPhone users the choice of just two carriers is barely a major increase in choice. With carriers like T-Mobile and Sprint Nextel left out in the cold, many would-be iPhone customers have held off buying the new 4GS, fearing it wouldn’t support their preferred carrier.

The good news is that despite Apple’s official partnership with AT&T and Verizon, the iPhone can be used on a range of carriers. For years, the only way to achieve total freedom with your iPhone was to purchase an unlocked model from Apple – a costly process that frequently doubled, or even tripled, the price of a carrier subsidized unit.

Today, it’s possible to purchase a subsidized iPhone direct from your preferred carrier and unlock it afterwards. Whether you’re aiming to jailbreak your iPhone 4S, which provides access to thousands of new applications, or unlock it to gain compatibility with other networks, the process is simple and fairly inexpensive.

One of the most popular reasons for unlocking a carrier-restricted iPhone is to increase its functions when out of the country. Coverage from AT&T and Verizon can be limited in many countries, not to mention the sometimes extreme cost of international roaming services. For years, iPhone customers took to purchasing their devices internationally to make sure that they received an unlocked phone.

With iPhone 4S unlocking guides, that’s no longer necessary. In fact, for almost all consumers, save those without the time to unlock their own phone, unlocking a carrier-locked iPhone 4 is much less expensive than purchasing an unlocked phone internationally.

Of course, there are downsides to unlocking a carrier-locked phone. While factory unlocked phones typically come with a full warranty, the unlocking process – which involves jailbreaking the iPhone – voids both Apple’s factory warranty and the carrier’s own warranty. For some users, this might be a deal breaker, leaving them without any support if their iPhone stops working.

Then there’s the lack of software compatibility. On a factory unlocked iPhone, software updates are available through iTunes just as they are with a carrier-locked unit. On a jailbroken phone, however, finding software updates can be a challenging process that typically involves waiting for a ‘cracked’ version of Apple’s software to appear.

There are ups and downs to each approach, and the choice to purchase an unlocked phone or unlock their own iPhone is, as it should be, up to the consumer. However, due to the high three-figure costs associated with factory unlocked phones, more and more iPhone users are jailbreaking their own phones in an effort to enjoy greater carrier flexibility, cheaper international calling, and new apps.

Unlocking your iPhone is nothing new. In fact, users have been doing so for years, ever since the original iPhone was released exclusively for AT&T in 2007. People wanted the freedom to be able to use their iPhones on the network of their choice instead of being restricted to just one carrier, and thus, various tools were introduced online. There are unlocking and jailbreaking programs for the iPhone, no matter which version you own, that are fast and effective. Some of these require a fee to use.

One thing to keep in mind is that when you unlock your iPhone, you will only have the option of using it on a GSM carrier. In the United States, this means the only other choice of network aside from AT&T is T-Mobile. Unfortunately, all the other major and smaller wireless companies run on CDMA, which is a completely different frequency, so your unlocked iPhone will not work on those networks.

Another important aspect that all iPhone users looking to unlock their device should know is that unlocking an iPhone will automatically void its warranty. In 2007, when the unlocking hacks were first introduced, Apple released the following statement: “Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty (…) The permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing software is not covered under the iPhone’s warranty.”

The voiding of the warranty is certainly something to think about, especially if your iPhone is under one year old. Should there be some sort of manufacturing defect present, you will not be able to take advantage of your warranty when you unlock a locked device. To that end, it might be in your best interest to buy one that is factory unlocked directly from Apple. However, if you are a particular bold type, you might want to spend the $20 to use a good unlocking hack so that you can use your iPhone on the GSM carrier of your choice instead of being limited to AT&T, which has a sordid history of poor service, data connection and customer service.

An unlocked iPhone is something that many people desire. With so many interesting features and perks, it can be difficult to resist one, even if a cell phone provider does not carry the model. Before giving up and assuming they can never have one, a person should try their luck at getting an iphone 4s unlock. But where can they be found?

1. Online Auctions

Online auctions are a suitable way to find cell phones that have been unlocked. Because many people want them, there is no shortage of auctions that feature them. It is always advised, however, to check with a seller should a person have any questions. A potential buyer should also make sure that the seller is trustworthy; if they have history of not sending items that have been paid for, or are simply difficult to deal with, they should not be used. If a seller is bad, the fun of getting an unlocked iPhone is ruined.

2. Popular Online Stores

While not all online stores will have them available, some do offer unlocked iPhones. This is the better option to go with; if a website has been frequently used by a person that wants an unlocked cell phone, they will be comfortable enough and carry experience that allows them to purchase the phone without worry. Some popular websites allow customers to leave reviews for products. Said reviews should be checked before investing in an unlocked iPhone to make sure that everything works as it should. This can save a person a lot of time and money.

3. Perform an iphone 4 unlock personally

If a person does not need an iPhone unlocked so they can use one under a different cell phone service, they may still wish to unlock in order to get extra features. Many iPhones that have been unlocked can prove to be expensive; for people that are on a budget, it may be better to attempt to unlock without somebody else doing it for them. There are a number of tutorials on the Internet that provide easy to read text. Just about anybody that wants to unlock their iPhone can find something that works with their skill level.

If you came kicking and screaming to purchase yet another upgrade to your iPhone, something
probably happened to you afterwards. You had a conversion. By now you are proud you made
the change to iPhone4S. The camera feature alone is a hot ticket item with 8 megapixels, more
than double the megapixels on the iPhone4 and an f/2.4 aperture that lets in more light. Whether
you are a photography enthusiast or need the camera for business, the image signal processor is
faster, clearer. Another upgrade is face detection. It can measure exposure and automatically
adjust and give you a perfect picture. More than one face in the photo, it can balance exposure
up to 10 faces.

More camera features include editing, enhancing, and cropping photos. With Photo Stream in
iCloud, all new photos are automatically sent to all your devices. Whether you want the photos
for bragging rights or need them for business, they are literally at your fingertips. You can keep
them on your Mac or PC, on your iPhone, and even Twitter.As in most conversions, all is not
immediately clear. After the first photographic use, it will be. When iCloud sends the photos to
all your devices immediately, you may just get another aha moment.

You can create a document and save it in iCloud. Even better, you can update it in iCloud. A
really neat feature is the Keynote application which allows you to create, edit, and present.
Imagine creating your presentation on the run in your iPhone with every application a convenient
tap away. No more stuck in traffic or late planes excuses. Send your presentation via iCloud.
That one “Hail, Mary” use would not only convert me, but it might even turn me into a saint.
The importance of this one hand held device is enormous.

That takes me back to the unlocking option. Once you are unlocked, you have freedom. Since
iPhone began with it smorgasbord of applications for business and entertainment, the last leap to
first place in the field has become the unlocked option. Versatility in the server market becomes
as important as the streamlining of your business tools including the photography apps. The new
mantra is have SIM card, will travel.

There are just a couple notes you need to heed beforeunlocking your phone. First, it is best
to unlock your phone using a reputable unlocking site. Second, it is not worth ruining your
applications trying to save twenty dollars by not heeding first note. The days of cutting your
SIM card are as gone as last year’s snow.

Once relieved of the restrictions of one carrier, you have more versatility with your phone.
Interchanging SIM cards on a long business trip to faraway places is the first reason behind the
systems evolution.

With the document access in iCloud on your device, you cannot afford to lose that access by

not being able to connect with a server when you are travelling in Europe or Asia. Server
access becomes the key to successful communication. In this contemporary fast paced, highly
competitive business atmosphere, it is a leg up. If it’s pleasure travel, you may just want to
share with those at home. Whether you are travelling for pleasure or business, unlocking your
iPhone4S is the paramount option.

Mobile phone carriers around the world aren’t shy about their desire to lock you into a two-year contract for their services: nearly every carrier around the world locks their phones to one specific network in order to dissuade consumers from easily migrating to a competitor when they’re dissatisfied. This process certainly inconveniences average consumers, but it has a lesser-known aside effect as well: international travelers are often forced to forego their iPhones abroad because they simply cannot use the phone on foreign networks.

In light of the unfortunate consequences that carrier-locked iPhones have had on a wide variety of consumers, Apple has begun releasing factory unlocked iPhones for sale through its own Apple Store retail outlets as well as several wireless carriers’ bricks-and-mortar stores. Those phones are typically priced far above on-contract levels and will cost consumers a pretty penny in the pursuit of convenience.

In challenging economic times, a second solution to this problem has developed: unofficial, third-party iPhone 4S unlock tools that save consumers a good amount of money in exchange for a greater investment of time and technical know-how. Cash-strapped consumers might feel the choice between these two options, but which one actually benefits iPhone consumers the most? When all other things are equal, should a consumer buy a pre-unlocked iPhone or do the work themselves?

Buying Unlocked from Apple or a Wireless Carrier

Without a doubt, the easiest way to own an unlocked iPhone is simply to buy one outright. The problem with doing this, however, is that carriers will remove their on-contract phone subsidy for consumers who purchase an iPhone that can be used with competitors’ SIM cards. They will not be required to sign a contract, but the price of their iPhone will jump from just a few hundred dollars to almost a thousand dollars simply by requesting the unlocked model.

In challenging economic times, it’s likely that most people simply cannot afford to buy an unlocked iPhone directly from Apple or their wireless carrier. And, in many cases, that’s the point: carriers make it prohibitively expensive to buy an unlocked iPhone with the hope that the majority of people simply won’t be able to do it — or won’t be willing to pay that much money for a smartphone.

Unlocking a Traditionally Locked iPhone

The fly in the wireless carriers’ ointment, of course, is that a large community of independent developers have been hard at work on ways to unlock the iPhone using simple iPhone 4S unlock solutions that consumers can download, install, and activate after purchasing a cheaper, locked iPhone. That means they can still purchase their iPhone for just a few hundred dollars, and unlock it using programs that are typically free or offered for just a few extra dollars online.

The unlocked iPhones are as good as any factory unlocked solution and, in fact, some developers and power users may prefer this method regardless of their finances. That’s because unlocking also “jailbreaks” the phone and allows it to run applications that are not offered in Apple’s official App Store. It also permits modifications to the way to the phone operates and the way the interface presents itself to users.

Conclusions

Spending close to a thousand dollars on a smartphone that will be outdated within a year or two, simply so that it can be used with competing carriers’ SIM cards, is simply not fiscally responsible or easily attainable for most people. Unlocking an iPhone on your own is easy, affordable (often free), and comes with a number of added benefits that will enhance the phone’s user experience. It’s really a no-brainer for the vast majority of purchasers.

The iPhone changed the landscape of the smartphone market when it was released in 2007. Since that time, Apple’s iconic mobile device has become the object of lust and desire for technology junkies and neophytes alike.

With the introduction of the iPhone 4S, the populace’s desire for the phone has been taken to an entirely new level, and with it the proliferation of blogs, websites and forums full of tips teaching people how to “unlock” and “jailbreak” their new toys. For many, though, these blogs may be leaving them to wonder just what on Earth do “jailbreaking” and “unlocking” mean, and what is the difference between them?

“Unlocking” an iPhone refers to the process by which the phone is made capable of being used on multiple networks. Until February 2011, Apple shipped iPhones with software that restricted the use of the devices to the AT&T network. Apple’s exclusivity deal allowed AT&T customers the option of purchasing an iPhone at a reduced price in exchange for a long-term voice and data contract with the carrier.

Left out in the cold were scores of people who were locked into a contract with another carrier or who were loyal to their current wireless provider. For those customers who were on other networks, they had the option of purchasing an “unlocked” iPhone at full price, between 500 and 700 dollars.

The other option for iPhone users on networks other than AT&T, before the exclusivity agreement ended, was to perform the unlock themselves. The process to unlock iPhone 4S involves a series of steps in order to hack into the phone’s software and connect it to the network of the user’s choosing.

In short, then, “unlocking” an iPhone simply describes how an iPhone is rendered able to be used on cellular networks other than that which the phone was originally set up for.

In order to unlock the phone, though, users must first “jailbreak” it. The initial iteration of the iPhone was made almost entirely proprietary by Apple, meaning initial customization was virtually not allowed using the native software.

Newer updates to the iOS, the phone’s operating system, have allowed for more customization, such as wallpaper and folders. Apple’s iTunes store and the iOS itself, though, still remain more or less on “lockdown,” which means that an unmodified iPhone is unable to run third party programs, or “apps,” that Apple doesn’t sanction or approve. In order to make use of this software, users must first jailbreak iPhone 4S.

“Jailbreaking” describes the process by which Apple’s proprietary software restrictions are removed and the iPhone, is made able to use third party software that Apple would not otherwise allow. Jailbreaking is essentially hacking the operating system.

Both jailbreaking and unlocking involve hacking the iPhone, but for different purposes. Unlocking is undertaken to use the phone on different networks, and jailbreaking is done in order to use unauthorized software and to bypass Apple’s own app store in iTunes.

Both processes should be done with extreme care, if at all. If done improperly, the iPhone can be rendered useless. It’s also important to note that neither Apple or the various cellular networks will support a jailbroken or unlocked phone, and the warranty is voided through the process. Moreover, a jailbroken iPhone may not be ale to receive important software updates available to non-jailbroken devices.

Every model of the iPhone has been a great device. From the original version in 2007 all the way up to the latest model, the iPhone 4S, every iteration has been on the cutting edge of technology. Aside from jailbreaking, one popular thing that a lot of iPhone users choose to do is unlocking the iPhone. Here we’ll look at why millions have unlocked their iPhones, and why an iPhone 4S unlock is something you need to consider.

While the iPhone is no doubt a great device, its Achilles heel has always been its restriction to only a few carriers. The first models were restricted to use only on AT&T. That’s not the case today, but carrier restriction is still a big issue. While the iPhone 4S is available on multiple US carriers, it’s still not available on T-Mobile or a lot of regional carriers. There are plenty of reasons to unlock the iPhone for use on other carriers. One popular reason to unlock in the early days of the device was that local carriers offered service that was considerably cheaper than that of AT&T. This is true even with the iPhone being on multiple carriers. Many small cell providers offer unlimited talk, text and data service for a fraction of what the big carriers offer.

International use is another big reason to unlock your iPhone. Suppose you travel overseas. Your iPhone is locked and your carrier doesn’t offer coverage in the place you travel to, you won’t have cell service. Unlocking allows you to pop in a SIM card from a local carrier and be on your way. While getting a cheap phone and using it with a local carrier is an option, many phones can’t do what the iPhone does. Your iPhone has all of your data and apps already. Unlocking for international use lets you avoid the hassle of switching to a new phone temporarily. This is especially useful if you use your phone for business. Even a short vacation overseas can be a nightmare if you don’t have phone access.

Even if you’re not planning to use another carrier or travel overseas, there’s yet another reason to unlock your iPhone: Resale value. You will eventually sell your iPhone, even if it’s a few years down the road. The iPhone is so popular that even an iPhone 3GS still commands a couple hundred dollars on the secondary market. By having your iPhone unlocked when you sell it, you’ll have more people who are interested in buying it. People in overseas markets where the iPhone isn’t sold and people who don’t want to use a big carrier will all be interested in your iPhone if it is unlocked. Having more people who want to buy your iPhone means that you’ll get more money for it.

The bottom line is that you probably paid over $200 for your iPhone. If you bought it off contract, there’s a good chance you paid more than $500. There’s no reason that you shouldn’t be able to use a device you paid that much for in the way you see fit. There are no real drawbacks to unlocking your device. With all of the freedoms afforded by it, you absolutely should unlock iPhone 4S, or any other model of iPhone that you own.

The latest trend in mobile phones is people modifying their iPhones.  For many people, it’s no longer enough to have a “stock” phone that is littered with restrictions by Apple and your cell phone carrier.  In this field however, one question constantly comes up; what is the difference between unlocking and jailbreaking your iPhone?

Many people believe that the two are actually the same thing.  They are not.  In fact, one of them (jailbreak) is actually required for the other in many cases.

iPhone Jailbreak

When you jailbreak your iPhone you’re essentially opening it up from Apple’s restrictions.  Apple places tight restrictions on user’s ability to modify their phone.  Every app that is submitted to the app store has to go through a rigorous verification process.  If Apple notices anything in the app that will negatively impact battery life or give the user an option to do something that they could otherwise charge for then they will deny it from release.

Jailbreaking your iPhone will allow you to circumvent the app store altogether.  It will allow you to install a new app store, called Cydia, that people can submit apps to without them being approved by Apple.  The apps on the store are limitless and many of them are far more useful than the things you will find in the Apple endorsed app store.

You’ll find apps that will allow you to do things like tether your phone to your laptop or tablet without paying a monthly fee.  There’s an app called MyWi that will trick your phone into thinking it is using WiFi even when you’re only using 3g/4g, which will allow you to download large files that the phone would normally only allow you to download via WiFi.

If you’re a less nefarious user there are still plenty of things on Cydia that will make you want to consider installing a jailbreak.  One of the big advantages to an iPhone jailbreak is the level of customization it unlocks on your phone.  Forget wallpapers, now you’ll have the ability to modify the entire theme of your phone right down to the base icons.  Want your phone to look like it came straight out of Tron?  No problem.  Want your icons to be transparent?  It can be done.  Want five icons in your permanent app bar rather than four?  Cydia will let you do that with the click of a button.

If you’re worried about the legality of Jailbreaking, allow me to put your mind at ease.  After iPhone jailbreaks really started picking up steam, Apple tried to stop it via a lawsuit.  The court ruled that it was perfectly legal, so you’re safe in doing it.

iPhone Unlock

Unlocking an iPhone is completely different than jailbreaking it.  An unlock does not open up new apps or features on your phone.  Rather, unlocking your phone removes the carrier restriction that comes with your phone and allows you to use it with any carrier.

Normally when you buy a cellphone it has to be used on the network you bought it for.  If you buy an iPhone through AT&T then you can only use that phone with AT&T service.  Unlocking will allow you to use that phone on any matching service regardless of who the carrier is.  That means that you can buy an AT&T phone and use it with your T-mobile plan, provided you’ve unlocked the phone.  This is especially useful in the case of exclusive phones like the iPhone.  Normally you couldn’t use an iPhone on T-Mobile because they don’t have a contract with Apple, but with the process of unlocking you can buy an AT&T iPhone, unlock it, and then use it on T-Mobile.

The unlocking process typically involves first jailbreaking your phone.  There are a few software packages out there that will allow you to do it without a jailbreak, but not many.  Typically the process is that you jailbreak your phone, install Cydia, and then unlock the phone using a program you downloaded via Cydia.

There are currently iPhone 4 unlock solutions available, but the ability to unlock iPhone 4s phones is still in progress and expected very soon.  iPhone 3gs unlocks are also available presently, and when the iPhone 5 releases it will likely be several months before an unlock solution is available for it.