iDongle: Tethered Booting for Jailbroken iPhone 3GS
3/15/2010 08:45:00 PM - 4 comments
The newly shipped updated ROM for all new iPhone 3GS models besides been an asset for the iPhone users; however, does not allow users to jailbreak iPhone or iPod the way it was previously done. This has in fact created a problem for all those users with jailbroken iPhone, as they might need to perform a tethered jailbreak each and every time their iPhone or iPod reboots or crashes.Here comes the ‘revolutionary’ iDongle - a new device that allows users 3GS unlocked iPhone with new Jailbreak tethered iBoot, to turn off and start the device at any time, without having to connect to PC / Mac for making the usual recovery. iDongle is nonetheless a boon for iPhone users since, it can be considerably aggravating to always carry a computer or laptop to tether your Apple device as soon as it crashes or reboots. The iDongle here comes as a device that can handle complex circumstances like this with ease.
What is iDongle and How it works
Renaud, the brain behind iDongle and its developer reveals that the device is in prototype stage and is presently available in limited number. However, he is hopeful that the manufacturing of the device shall commence once he is able to attract significant number of pre-orders. The price of the device is yet to be announced but it might cost around 30€ or $41.
iDongle is a piece of hardware that comes with a mini-USB connector on one end and a male 30 pin connector on the other. The iDongle is just a 60×30mm piece and uses a 9V battery to provide necessary power to boot your jailbroken iPhone. Besides that, it also assists users in jailbreaking and hacktivating your iPhone or iPod if you haven’t yet done it. Presently iDongle supports iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 2G/3G models only. It works by:
- Put the power ‘On’ on your jailbreaked device
- Plug iDongle on iTunes logo
- Wait for flashing to end
- Unplug iDongle or wait for boot
The Tethered and Untethered Jailbreak Saga
There is much confusion about tethered and untethered Jailbreak. In tethered jailbreak, if you shut down a jailbroken iPhone 3GS, or if it runs out of power, you can only turn it back on by plugging it into a computer. However, in case of untethered jailbreak, if you shut down a jailbroken iPhone 3GS, or if it runs out of power you can switch it on back with power button.
The iDongle is most possibly one of the finest solutions possible solutions for untethered jailbreak. Operation is very simple; all you need to carry is a little thumb-sized dongle with you so in case you need to reboot your iDevice.
iDongle: Impressions and Reviews
iDongle supports iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 2G/3G with OS 3.1 / 3.1.1 / 3.1.2 only. This lightweight hardware measuring 6.6 cm x 2.65 cm is quick and easy to use. The people behind iDongle would definitely love to work in tandem with the iphone dev team. One of the preliminary flaws detected so far is that the battery connector is very delicate, and hence should be incorporated with caution.
Another drawback to the iDongle is its limited supply. iDongle's creator as of now claims to have only a dozen of (working) prototype and he strongly urges on the requirement to raise some minimal funds to start manufacturing them in quantities. This will help lower the price as much as possible for the benefit of the jailbreaking community of iPhone users. There is also apprehension that iDongle developer may eventually suffer a legal wrath from Apple Inc.
iDongle is in development process and keep a watch on this space for the next release update. Till then watch this video showing iDongle in action.
Posted: Seuli.B
Lol, one of the reasons i jail broke my ipod was so i could safe money. I am so much not going to pay that much money for that device. It does not take that long to jailbreak it again after all.
Thanks for the fresh and latest information...the 3G phones have really taken a leap to another era of advancement.
Sidekick lx
Interesting idea, but when are you going to be away from a computer for so long that you'd need it, and how many times has your iphone 3GS 'crashed' to the point you need to reboot it. My has never. And it's jailbroken on 3.1.2. I reboot with redsn0w when I need to, and that can be done so easily - in fact, wait a week, buy an ipad instead - costs a bit more but at least it does something else too! - and do your tethered boot from that! Assuming you can install redsn0w or something...
Not all iPhone 3gs crashes. It's only the new iPhone
3gs with an Updated boot rom. When you jaibreak the
new one you can't turn your phone off. If you do when
you turn it back on it says connect to iTunes. Then you
need to connect it to your computer an jaibreak it again
to get it back working.
I think this idongle is a good idea for the time being.
But I have read that the will be a jaibreak out in the near
future which won't have this problem