GeoHot recently unveiled a “hardware unlock” process for unlocking an iPhone so it can be used on networks other than AT&T.  The process has been confirmed to work, but it requires soldering wires onto the phone and is very difficult to complete.

Users on the  iPhone Dev Team forums have simplified and perfected the unlocking process.  Now, needles can be used instead of soldered wires, reducing the risk of damage to the iPhone.  In addition, all the software needed to complete the process has been collected and made easily available.

For those still awaiting the public release of the software-based unlocking method, this method is an alternative.  But please don’t attempt this if you aren’t experienced with electronics and computer software.

•  Simplified iPhone Hardware Unlock Procedure

The creators of Installer.app have released an easy-to-use utility called IPhoneInstaller that will hack your iPhone and add Installer.app. From there, you can easily add more programs to your iPhone by running Installer.app.

IPhoneInstaller will only run on macs right now, but both Intel and PPC Macs will work.  No plans for supporting Windows have been announced.

New! We now have a single command Mac (PPC & Intel) installer for Installer.app, get it here. This will automate the entire jailbreak and Installer.app installation process for your 1.0 or 1.0.1 iPhone, including automatically downloading the right firmware files. Be sure to read the short README file for installation instructions.

If possible, it is recommended you do a full restore of your iPhone using iTunes before installing this, but this is not required — it will simply make for a cleaner install.

• Download iPhoneInstaller

SongSender is a new application from the prolific Erica Sadun that allows you to select a song from your iPod music library and either set it as your ringtone or email it to someone. All of this can be done without needing to connect the iPhone to a computer.

SongSender can be downloaded from TUAW.com or installed with Installer.app. Please note Erica’s disclaimer:

Small print: Fair use only. This software is not intended for pirating purposes. Use your powers for good, not evil. Do not take internally. Software is not a substitute for advice provided by a doctor, lawyer, or the EFF. In case of rash, itching, or swelling seek medical attention immediately. This software was brought to you by the letters E. r. i. c. and a.

• Download SongSender

iPhone Apper is a cool hack that will generate a simple iPhone application for you that will link to a website of your choice.  For example, if you often use the mundu IM website and wish it had a cool iChat icon on your home screen, now you can do that.  You supply an icon and a url and iPhone Apper will generate the actual application to copy to your phone.  Neat!

• Visit the iPhone Apper site

Squidge.app, the iPhone video conferencing application previously mentioned here, is now available for download as a technology demo. You will need another friend with an iPhone to play with it. Video conferences are established by calling your friend, putting the call on speaker phone, and then activating Squidge.app.

Note: Running this demo will broadcast your phone number to the demo server.

• Download Squidge.app

NES.app v0.45 is out.  New features since last time include a new preferences section and the ability to delete roms.  Also, many bugs have been fixed.  Saving games is much more reliable and games are automatically saved when you hit the home button.

This update is highly recommended.  Check out shots of the new preferences pane below.

• Visit the NES.app page

iPhoneFrotz v0.1 is out. iPhoneFrotz is a Z-Machine interpreter which allows you to play all your favorite 80’s text adventure games, including Zork and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy on your iPhone.

You can also use it to play games from the interactive fiction archive, an online archive of user-created text adventures.

• Visit the iPhoneFrotz homepage

Two guys from DeliciousMonster have just released Lights Off, a new iPhone game. While it’s not exactly the first native iPhone game as they claim, it is quite possibly the best. The application looks very professional and is probably the most polished piece of homebrew iPhone software released yet.

• Visit the Lights Off homepage

With the amount of applications being released for the iPhone accelerating, it has become difficult to keep track of what is available. To help you find your way through the world iPhone software, we are introducing a new iPhone Application Directory.

Inside you will find the most up-to-date list of iPhone applications available. In addition, the application directory will always be one click away from the sidebar on any iPhonador page.

Enjoy!

• Visit iPhonador’s iPhone Application Directory

MobileFinder v0.6 is out. MobileFinder works similar to Finder on Mac OSX or Windows Explorer on Windows. It allows you to browse files and launch applications.

More features are expected in the near future, including basic file management features and the ability to launch helper applications to view files stored on the iPhone.

• Visit the MobileFinder homepage
• Download MobileFinder