Installation of the iPhone OS 1.2 beta generally requires a special signature from Apple, but an underground team has discovered a method for bypassing this signature and installing a modified edition of OS 1.2. This installation method requires the use of “Pwnage,” a tool that leverages an exploit found in the lower levels of the iPhone/iPod Touch bootloader. Exercising the exploit allows these devices to run unsigned code. With this capability in place, Pwnage can modify the iPhone OS 1.2 IPSW (installation file), pre-activating and pre-jailbreaking it.

Only iPhones that are already unlocked (not tethered to a sanctioned cellular network) can retain phone functionality after receiving the unauthorized. custom 1.2 update.

Keep in mind that if you go this route, you may need to continually upgrade to the latest build in order to keep the iPhone functional.

1. Network forced to unlock iPhone
2. iPhone Hacking News Update: iPhoneInterface Tool is Out!!
3. Apple to ration iPhones
4. Apple sets UK iPhone launch
5. 300-page iPhone bill
6. Analysis: Lessons learned from the iPhone price cuts
7. Apple flogs one millionth iPhone
8. Apple unveils plans for iPhone 2.0
9. iPhone prepares for new life as a PC
10. Orange to sell iPhone in France
11. Apple to begin EU iPhone push with O2
12. My iPhone Wish: Delicious Library on the iPhone
13. The First iPhone Virus Arrives
14. Code crack opens the iPhone floodgates
15. iPhone v1.1.3 Rumors
16. Visual Voicemail Available For French iPhones
17. iPhone v1.1.3 Destroys — Everything, or NOT?
18. Google unveils iPhone software
19. Countdown to iPhone 2.0
20. iPhone Trumps Blackberry
21. Shocking: iPhone Optimized YouTube Videos Work Betters Than Others
22. Do Not Upgrade To 1.1.3
23. Firmware v1.1.3 Confirmed
24. .7 Million Missing iPhones Hacked and Unlocked
25. Warning: Do Not Jailbreak 1.1.4, Yet
26. Unlocked iPhone market in shades of gray
27. iPhone winning corporate fans despite flaws
28. Bonus features in iPhone v1.1.3 - expanded SMS text message storage limit, better on-screen typing.
29. Apple Upgrades iPhone to 1.1.3, Charges iPod touch Owners $20 for New Apps
30. Could it Be? An 11 Year Old Releases the First Malicious iPhone Attempt
31. Important Info About Jailbreaking 1.1.3
32. iPhone 1.1.3 Jailbreak causing issues
33. Apple Rumored To Decrease iPhone Price
34. VoIP app for iPhone prompts fan-site controversy
35. Hackers to target iPhone in 2008
36. Ordering With The iPhone?
37. Flash Finally Coming To Our iPhones?
38. Warning- 1.1.3 Jailbreak May Cause More Harm Than Good
39. Wireless iPhone Syncronization…
40. 16GB iPhone Could Have A Louder Speaker
41. The true cost of building an iPhone
42. iPhone Update Download Link
43. Survey Says 72% of iPhone Users Happy
44. Digging Deeper Into Macworld 2008's iPhone / iPod News
45. Google Makes Improvements to iPhone Interface
46. UBS’s predictions on iPhone
47. iPhone firmware 1.1.4 released!
48. 400,000 iPhones make their way to China
49. Apple plans new iPhone software boost
50. Activate your iPhone 3G within 30 days or…
51. Bad news: Apple to tightly control release of SDK applications
52. 27% of U.S. iPhone buyers unlock, not using AT&T
53. State One Stockbroking Ltd | ABN 95 092 898 083 | AFSL 247100
54. 3G iPhone to Launch on June 9?
55. How Apple Plans to Move 10 Million iPhones
56. Software problems bug iPhone launch
57. Google homes in on revenues from phones
58. New iPhone unlocked
59. Apple Agrees to iPhone Unlocking in Italy
60. Steve Jobs unveils Apple's new 3G iPhone
61. Jun
62. Unlocking the new iPhone won’t be worth the trouble
63. Hackers open core of Apple's iPhone
64. http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=936504
65. Are You Liking the 2.0.1 Firmware