Firmware, Baseband, Unlock, Activate
1. What is Firmware and ipsw?
A: The firmware is the operating system installed on your iPhone. The firmware versions include 1.0.2, 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 2.0.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.2.1, 3.0. 3.0.1, 3.1, 3.1.2 & 3.1.3, 4.0, 4.0.1, 4.0.2, 4.1All iPhone firmware ends with ipsw extension. All firmware are upgradable for all iPhones.
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2. What is Baseband?
A: The ‘baseband’ is the generic name given to the internal components of the iPhone that handle the phone calls and Internet access. This ‘baseband’ is a tiny and unique independent computer system that runs inside your iPhone, it is separate to the main system that handles the applications (such as email and google maps) and it talks to the main part of the phone over an internal communications network. Think of it like a cable modem or other peripheral that is attached to your home PC that needs occasional updates. When a software update is released and presented to you within iTunes the baseband is sometimes updated (to fix bugs or add new features).
3. What is Unlock and Lock iPhones?
Lock iPhones: Lock to a specific telco. Example: AT&T
Unlock iPhones: Doesn’t have an Service Provider lock (aka factory unlocked) and you are able to put any SIM card into the phone and get service. Meaning, you can use the services of various GSM based carriers around the world.
4. What is Activate? (credit to frozzbyte)
A: To check whether we are using an authorize simcard with the phone or not. If we are not using an authorize sim (lock iPhones), then we can't get to the springboard and can't use the phone. We can only get to the emergency call part only.
Activation is needed to enable the phone from a 'locked' state i.e emergency call only to the springboard (where all the icons are). Only after you activate that you can go to springboard.
Q: Why we need to activate?
A: OTB (Out of The Box) unlock iPhone still need to be activated so it can check the sim card if its valid. You might ask "Why it still need to check the sim if its already unlock and can accept any sim?". Well this is just a process that all iphone need to go thru, locked or unlocked.
This goes the same with locked (2G) iPhones. We need to jailbreak the phone first so that we can access the filesystem. Then we 'hacktivate' or activate the phone by tricking it with a spoof activation. This bypass the iTunes checking and let us gain access to the springboard. Only after that we can unlock the phone (if a software unlock is available). So to a locked phone, the most important process to do is jailbreaking. With it we can do the activating and unlocking.
Unlock phone need to:
1. Activate thru iTunes only
2. Jailbreaking is optional if user want to use 3rd party apps
*Unlock phone can update/upgrade to any firmware without worry because it will remain unlock whereas locked phones have to wait for it to be able to jailbreak and if there is a baseband update, an unlock sollution must be present.
Locked phone need to:
1. Jailbreak so we can gain access to the phone (mandatory)
2. Activate the phone thru 'hacktivation' or activation spoof (also mandatory)
3. Unlock the phone with a software unlocking solution to use with other sim (also mandatory)
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Restore, DFU
1. What is the meaning of Restore and Update in iTunes? (credit to frozzbyte)
A: iTunes provides two options to change the firmware on your phone. Restore and Upgrade.
A1: Restore is a full erase and reprogramming of your device. This will result in a factory fresh device. All songs and contacts are wiped out.
A2: Update will only wipe out the smaller disk partition leaving all your songs and settings intact. Update is only useful if you are trying to go from one version to the next version of firmware. It will not solve any problems on your phone unless they are naturally solved by the new firmware. I generally recommend using restore in all cases.
2. What is DFU Mode and Restore Mode?
A1: DFU (device firmware upgrade) mode is a special mode that bypasses the operating system and lets you upgrade the device. When in DFU mode, the phone will have no display on the screen.
A2: Restore mode is more common. In this mode (iTunes Logo) you can also restore or upgrade your device, but it is not as drastic as DFU mode. Many restore problems can be solved by using DFU mode.
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Data - EDGE, 3G, GPRS
1. What is Data?
A1: 3G, EDGE, and GPRS allow Internet connectivity over the cellular network available through your iPhone carrier’s wireless service. Check the carrier’s network coverage in your area for availability.
A2: Data = 3G/EDGE/GPRS for users who needs 24/7 online connection for business, on the go etc.
Link: EDGE and GPRS Definition
Q:How to subscribe and the cost?
A: Different telco provides numerous rates for users to choose. Check via your telco website for more infomation.
2. What is 'E' or 'o' next to my carrier?
Q: I dont have any of this connection ON. Why the icon is there?
A: The EDGE (E), GPRS (o) icons in the top-left corner of your iPhone screen will always be there whether or not is On/Off. The icons will change according to carrier’s network coverage in your area.
A: If you have 3G ON, the 3G icon will be visible. If you disable your 3G, it will change the icon to EDGE (E).
3. How to check minutes and Data Usage?
A: Go to Settings/General/Usage.
4. Will i be charge using GPS?
A: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.
There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.
In short, using Maps only triangulate your current position and you won't get you charged for any data usage. However, the routing function will require your phone to download the maps thus connecting to 3G/EDGE/GPRS services is needed and you'll be charged according to the kb's data you use to download the maps.
5. Does 2G iPhones has GPS like 3G iPhones?
A: 2G iPhone does not have a GPS chip inside it. It uses the wireless network capability to estimate its location.
6. Does iPhone 3G/3GS/4 have a dedidcated GPS chip? [credit: frozzbyte]
A: Answer to your question is..YES, the iPhone 3G and 3Gs have a GPS chip in them, a dedicated one FYI.
GPS = only use GPS chip to lock on to the satellites
A-GPS = use GPS chip and assisted (thats what the A in A-GPS stands for) by cell tower triangulation to get the lock faster
A-GPS are not below or less than GPS infact it's superior to GPS alone. A-GPS uses cell triangulation + GPS satellite locking to get a faster location than just normal GPS.
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Phone
1. What's the limit screen pages/applications on iPhone on Firmware 2.2.1 and possible to create folders?
A: For Fw 2.2.1, you're limited to 9 pages and 148 applications installed. For non jailbreak iPhones, you can't create folders. In order to have more applications installed, your iPhone needs to be jailbroken and use Categories(to place apps/games in proper folders) which will enable more applications/games to be installed.
*iPhone 3.0.x above can accomadate more applications. Refer to Section I below this thread.
2. iPhone BlueTooth send files/data?
A: No. iPhone bluetooth is merely for pairing up bluetooth headset use only.
3. Usage and Standby not showing phone usage time?
A: You will be able to view the usage time after a full complete charge.
4. Can iPhone 3G/3GS/4 make video calls?
A: iPhone 3G/3GS does not support video calls. iPhone 4 allows you to make video calls via Facetime (iPhone to iPhone only) More info: https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/868281/+12
5. Can iPhone forward SMS and Email?
A: Yes you can with iPhone firmware 3.0 above
6. Can i change the whole cover of 2G iPhone cover to a 3G/3GS cover or cover of 3G/3GS to iPhone 4?
A: NO...you can't. (The shapes are different). Logic will tell you this.
7. Can iPhone surf Java/Flash enabled sites, game sites or watch flash movies?
A: NO..iPhone does not support Flash and Java. iPhone only supports normal html sites.
8. Why does the screen goes off when is near the ear while making calls?
A: The proximity sensor automatically turns the screen off when the phone is held to the ear.
9. Why does the iPhone get warm while using it?
Q: Is this normal with the heat issue?
A: Yes is normal..When you're playing games or using applications, on Wifi or 3G, surfing the net, this uses the processor thus your iPhone becomes warm. Same goes to your laptop or desktop.
10. 3G/3GS/4 iPhone Warranty
A: Claim warranty from the country that you bought the 3G/3GS iPhone from if there's defect or hardware related issues.
Online Service Assistance Warranty Check: https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do
*For those who have jailbreak your 3G iPhone(Maxis, Singtel etc), warranty will be void. Restore your iPhone to default setting before sending back for warranty.
11. iPhone infected by virus?
Q: Will my iPhone be infected by virus when my computer has virus.
A: NO. Your iPhone will not be infected because iPhone OS runs on Mac OSX which has been proven to be virus free.
12. iPhone support Flash?
Q: Any reason why flash is not supported?
A: http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/
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For more Common asked Questions, please refer here: https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/768477
This post has been edited by davidgary73: May 29 2011, 02:00 AM
Mar 25 2009, 02:13 PM
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