3G iPhone can now be unlocked by anyone

The iPhone Dev Team have released a beta version of yellowsn0w; free software that'll apparently unlock any 3G Apple iPhone. [Dev-Team blog]

Text bug revealed in T-Mobile G1 phone

The BBC and Wired.com have reported on a (potentially amusing) bug that affects the T-Mobile G1 mobile phone. Typing the word "reboot" in a text message soon after restarting the device causes the phone to... reboot. UK users should receive an update by tomorrow.

Nokia to sell security business

Nokia says it's planning to sell its security equipment business and is also going to stop making its own enterprise software. [Press release]

Mobile customers want style above other features

Consumer review website Reevoo.com has asked 31,000 mobile phone customers to say what they liked most and least about their new mobile phones. The top three likes were looks, size and camer - while battery life, usability and software were the main reasons for disliking a phone. (Full details are online at Reevoo.com's blog). [Press release]

Apple iPhone software v2.1 released

New Apple iPhone version 2.1 software has been released, improving the phone's signal strength display (but not signal strength itself) and fixing a number of other bugs. [Source: cnet.com]

Microsoft plans online mobile application store

First came the iPhone App Store - then it was Google's Android Market. Now Microsoft is apparently planning to sell Windows Mobile programs in an online store called Skymarket. [Source: iTWire.com]

iPhone software update

Apple has launched software version 2.0.2 for the iPhone. Apple hasn't indicated which problems - if any - the update will fix, although some users have reported improved 3G coverage and a faster response from the phone's software. [Source: BBC.co.uk]

New text service acquires 100,000 customers in 3 weeks

Money-saving text message service FishText.com says it's attracted more than 100,000 registered users since launching three weeks ago. The service uses a mobile data connection to send texts, costing 2p a text (plus data charges) for messages withn the UK. [Press release]

Openwave browser company sold

Openwave Systems has sold its mobile software business to Purple Labs, which develops Linux-based software. The deal, worth $32 million, will see Purple Labs continuing to maintain Openwave's existing products as well as using Openwave technology in its own software. [Press release]

Carphone Warehouse and Handango sign deal

Smartphone software provider Handango has just announced a distribution deal with The Carphone Warehouse. Handango applications will be sold through Carphone Warehouse stores in the UK, starting with a special software package for the BlackBerry Pearl.

Entertainment software is 2007's most-popular download

Smartphone software company Handango says entertainment products were last year's most-popular choice of download. Handango says entertainment software accounted for 17% of its 2007 sales - moving to the top of 2007's list from third place in 2006 - with business and professional content dropping from 18% in 2006 to 16% in 2007. [Press release]

Apple reveals iPhone software development kit

Pretty much as expected, Apple has revealed the iPhone SDK: a software package that will enable application developers to create programs for the Apple iPhone. The iPhone developer tools are based on the company's existing 'Cocoa' tools for developing Mac software. Developers can download a free version of the beta iPhone software development kit, although the full version of the kit will not be available until June. In addition, Apple announced a deal with Microsoft that will soon enable iPhones to work with Microsoft's Exchange business email software. It also said business iPhone users will be able to access virtual private networks, which allows companies to give their staff mobile access to internal computer systems. [Sources: Macworld.com, WSJ.com]

Mobile users not taking security precautions

Online security company F-Secure says over three-quarters of mobile phone users are aware that their mobile devices can be infected by viruses via Bluetooth but don't have any security software. Researchers contacted 1,169 mobile users in January across the USA, Canada, UK, France and Germany. On average, 28% of respondents said they used their mobile device to access the internet, with 86% saying they had no mobile security. The UK was above average for internet access, with 47% of users going online with their mobile device. When it came to security, only 21% of users regarded Bluetooth connections safe and 15% said WiFi connections were safe.

Apple iPhone SDK due on 6th March 2008?

It sounds as though Apple will reveal its Software Development Kit for the iPhone on 6th March, a few days later than their previously-announced target of February. The SDK will enable software developers to create programs for the Apple iPhone; at the moment they're only able to build web-based programs. [Source: InformationWeek.com]

Turn your Nokia smartphone into a WiFi hotspot

Here's a clever idea. Finish company Joikusoft has created JoikuSpot, free mobile software that turns a Symbian S60 smartphone (such as a Nokia Nseries device) into a WiFi hotspot. Quite simply, the phone will share its 3G network connection using its WLAN connection. [PDF press release]