They say admitting your weaknesses opens up opportunity to your competitors. But I’d rather be honest and continue living my life without regrets than to sell my soul or trick these people who’re going to splurge on an Apple iPhone in Malaysia. Which is why I always inform all iPhone enquirers through my contact form, I’m only an average type of iPhone user.
And recently, my general iPhone knowledge was put to the test by a recent commenter; Jason. He wanted assurance the Apple iPhone indeed is stable in Malaysia and most importantly, usable. So he came up with 31 questions for me to address but I’m breaking this into 15 question (2 part) series because during the post preview, I found it too long.
So here’s the first 15 questions by Jason and my answers. :)
1. What is the latest firmware for the iPhone at the moment?
Firmware 1.1.2 (however there’s rumor 1.1.3 is coming out)
2. If newer firmware is released by Apple in the future and is cracked by iPhoneSimFree, will I have to pay again?
Nope. After it’s been cracked by IPSF, all you need to do is update the new firmware and perform the jailbreak/unlock again by yourself.
3. Can I crack it myself, will this, incur any ‘teaching’ fees, as I saw from http://iphone.unlock.no/ that everything is listed down?
Yes, you can. MAXIMiphone who deals with IPSF will provide a guide upon request for new firmware unlocks unless the unlock can’t be successfully done yet.
4. Do I have to purchase from you or do I purchase from http://iphonesunlocked.blogspot.com/?
Nope, you purchase directly from www.MAXIMiphone.com
5. What is the selling price?
Last I heard from my reseller, they’re not restocking because Hong Kong prices have shot up the roof. Due to that, his current selling prices are RM3000+ to make a profit. However, I’ve recommended another option to some buyers to get their unit from the Low Yat forum. It’s a locked 1.1.2 but you can get MAXIMiphone to unlock it.
6. Can I pick it up myself to reduce the shipping fees since I am in Kuala Lumpur?
Yup, no problem at all. Reseller doesn’t run a physical store but from his home in Bandar Utama.
7. Is there a video on the iPhone text messaging? (responsiveness and user friendliness)
If you Google ‘iphone text messaging’ you can stumble on a few. But for a self-made user video, I haven’t had the time to find or produce one myself. I’ll keep that in mind. However, I assure you it’s responsiveness is very good and like any new phone, you’ll have to take a moment to practice. :)
8. If I accidently bricked my iPhone by updating the firmware online, can I jailbreak it again?
This depends on the level of bricking your iPhone. There are some who’ve bricked their iphone that it can’t be restored. If it’s only a minor case, you can restore the iPhone and jailbreak again.
9. Where can I get all the applications for my iPhone, are they free?
All applications available at the moment for the iphone are free. And they’re installed via the Installer.app. However, the hardcore iPhone users may do something to fiddle with their operating system and install their own stuff.
10. If I purchase from you or http://iphonesunlocked.blogspot.com, will there be any after sales service?
The reseller will help you out after your purchase as much as he can. He’s been telling me a lot of stories of people who panic after a simple mistake which they can actually solve themselves. But yes, he does help when he can.
11. So they do not work with Maxis simcard, I heard, or is there any improvements?
Nope, Maxis has now gone nationwide for the iPhone. Since all the complaints and probably push from some higher ups who bought an iPhone, Maxis has done something about and rolled out the solution. It’s been nationwide for 2 weeks (if I track back correctly). :)
12. What if I purchase my iPhone (not yet unlock) on eBay and wish to unlocked it?
You can request MAXIMiphone to unlock it for you. You’ll have to pay a nominal fee as they’ll install an IPSF license for you. They don’t do open-source unlocking as they expect you to be able to do it yourself.
13. I heard that you can ‘virginize’ a phone, does this mean it will be set back to factory default?
Yes, virginizing is basically restoring your iphone. Every time you restore it, the data and settings are reverted. So in other words, it’ll be wiped clean.
14. If I opt to buy an iPhone in which the termination fees is paid for to the carrier, will it work for all 3 providers in Malaysia?
Well, if it were from the US…then all you need to do is unlock it. I’ve not heard of any company so hardcore after contract termination they’ll blow up your phone or disable it completely just cause you’re not on their contract anymore. :P
15. Do you also bring in iPhone in which the line is terminated legally from the carrier?
Nope. Most of the units are normally brought in direct from US through Hong Kong.
I told you it was a lot. And these are only the ‘short’ questions so answers were kept brief. The next 15 questions were about signing with AT&T, Malaysia customs clearance, eBay and Apple iPhone firmware 1.1.3.
Hope the answers will be as useful to you as when I told Jason. :)
[tags]Apple iPhone, iPhone Malaysia, Apple Malaysia, iPhone FAQ[/tags]
I just couldn’t help noticing that you forgot to emphasize (the words ‘Apple iPhone in Malaysia’ in the post above. You always do that, don’t you? :)
Just got my hands on a 2nd hand iPhone too. Enjoying the experience very much. :)
How much did you pay for your iPhone?
hinching:
I guess with all the bolded questions now, emphasizing the Apple iPhone in Malaysia would be a little overkill. ;)
edward:
I’m also wondering how much did hinching get his since he’s in Aussie.
dude, i just got an iphone as a gift. i’m not in the least tech savvy and i dont mind paying to get the thing hacked so i can just use it. however, i’ve read n heard horror stories about sellers/shops opening up the iphone n resoldering wires n stuff. Which is the best way to go abouts hacking the iphone? By best i mean a good balance between cost n trustworthyness of the vendor. Tx
Well, the soldering method is when the iPhone was first released. Then came the method of having to either play with the UNIX code or to use iPhoneSimFree (IPSF paid solution). Today, the difference between open source and IPSF has become smaller.
Biggest difference to me is IPSF is a little more stabler and if you encounter problems, the resellers will know how to solve it. Except when you ‘brick’ your iPhone.
Anyway, I’ll email you further details on what you can do. :)