There are so many tools, some for Mac OS, others for Windows, different versions... Complicated. So let's summerize a little bit.
If you have iPhone 3G, you'll be able to install 3-rd party non AppStore applications (through separate applications called Cydia and Installer) and run these applications. If you have old iPhone, in addition to that you'll be able to unlock the device (use with any carrier).
There are two methods: quickpwn and custom firmware method. First one is for quikly pwning and jailbreaking the device without restore. You should use it if you have unlocked device or an AT&T contract.
If you are Windows user:
Go for WinPwn. The current version is 2.5.0.2 (also called 2.5 beta-2). Download here. It supports both iPhone and iPhone 3G, firmwares 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2. You can use either quickpwn or custom firmware method.
There is a separate QuickPwn tool for Windows. The current version is RC3. Download here. Do you need it? Yes, if you want to quick pwn and you do not like WinPwn (or you had problems with it).
If you're using Mac OS:
Go for PwnageTool. The current version is 2.0.3.1. Download here. Works with 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2 firmwares using custom-firmware method.
There is a version of QuickPwn tool for MAC OS. The current version is 1.0.0. Download here. It works only with firmware 2.0.2. Do you need it? Yes, if you want to quick pwn.
QuickPwn is not a replacement for PwnageTool, they are different tools and provide different features, QuickPwn is for quickly pwning a device, whereas PwnageTool is designed to custom build and tailor the ipsw production process, both tools will be actively developed in the future.
Snapture is an enhanced camera application. It costs $8, but trial version is also avaliable. Among the features there are zoom 3х, timer, special effects, multi snapshots and others.
QuickPwn for Windows is updated. Support for all 2.x firmwares is added. So now you can QuickPwn and jailbreak the device if it is running 2.0, 2.0.1 or 2.0.2.
DevTeam reminds that it is still beta software, so usual rules apply, no complaints if anything goes wrong and use the tool at at your own risk!
Using QuickPwn does not update the firmware itself, this tool is designed to ‘Pwn’ (the ability to install future custom non-Apple firmwares) , ‘Jailbreak’ and install Installer and/or Cydia on a given device. If your device is running 2.0.1 and you QuickPwn it, it’ll still be running 2.0.1, although it will now be Pwned and Jailbroken. It will also activate (not unlock) devices that are being used outside of their intended territories and cannot be activated using iTunes.
If you want to update to 2.0.2 then use the normal iTunes update to get to 2.0.2 and then use QuickPwn to Pwn, Jailbreak and Activate, remember that the 2.0.2 update includes a baseband update for the 3G iPhone, so depending what your long term intentions are for the phone, update wisely, of course in the upcoming PwnageTool application you’ll be able to create a custom ipsw without the baseband update enabled.
LockDown v3.0 is out with a lot of improvements. If you need to be able to lock certain apps with a password so you can hand your phone off to someone else for a bit, this is the app for you. There is also a lost password protection.
Avaliable in Cydia installer for iPhone with firmware 2.0 and above.
AppBackup is a program for the iPhone/iPod touch that lets you back up and restore the saved data and settings for your App Store apps.
To back up one app, open AppBackup, select the app, and then select Backup. To restore an app, select it and then select Restore. (If there is no restore option, then it hasn't been backed up yet.) To back up all apps at once, tap All at the top-left of the screen, and select Backup. To restore all apps that have been backed up at once, tap All and select Restore. (You must have at least one app backed up in order to see this option).
Avaliable for free via Cydia Istaller.
A jailbroken iPhone or iPod touch running iPhoneOS 2.0 or later, with Cydia and at least one App Store app.
You probable know, that some time ago software developers have found a line of code buried in the iPhone's operating system that could enable Apple to remotely delete applications stored on the device that it no longer approves of. This is known as "Apple's kill switch".
Now you can turn this OFF using BossPrefs 2.12b. This is a major feature in 2.12b version. Avaliable for download from Cydia Installer.
Once installed and customized, it allows you to download data off the Internet and store it on your iPhone or iPod touch local disk. You can download mp3 files, zip archives and much more. It was avaliable for old firmwares (1.1.4 and below). Now 2.0 users can use it too. Avaliable through Cydia Installer.
This iPhone application is for sending MMS. It works, there are some bugs, but I was able to send MMS. New version has minot bugfixes. It is still only for firmware 1.1.4 nd below. No 2.0 support yet.
There was a post about Qik:Broadcast video live from iPhone. At that time only users of old iPhones with firmware 1.1.4 could use it. Now there is a new version for 2.0 users.
You can get Qik with the iPhone 3G and old iPhone with firmware 2.0 by doing the following:
If you have not already, you'll need to sign up at http://qik.com/sign_up and receive an SMS from us to activate the application.
Launch Cydia.
Go to the "Sections" tab at the bottom and scroll down to "Multimedia."
Under Multimedia, you will find Qik. Tap on it then select "Install" at the top right, then in the same spot tap "Confirm."
Now you will see Qik get installed. You may hit the "Return to Cydia" button at the bottom or just quit Cydia when it is done installing.
You'll now notice a "Qik" icon on your home screen - Go ahead and launch it.
As long as your initial signup SMS/text message is still in your inbox for the first launch, your account will be linked to your device.
Make sure you have 3G service or are on WiFi (edge is not sufficient enough to stream video) before you begin broadcasting.
Today Twenty08 released a new instant messaging client for the iPhone/iPod touch. MobileChat (iTunes Link) allows you to connect to multiple IM services, including:
AIM/ICQ/.Mac/MobileMe
Windows Live/MSN
Yahoo
GTalk
Jabber
This application is well known to many iPhone users. This application is feature rich, allowing you to take and send images or IM a phone number from any of your 10 supported IM accounts. Application cost is $2.99.
After WinPwn 2.0.0.4 release users are able to try Insteller 4 beta. The repositary mechanism was changed and applcations should support new firmware (> 2.0), so old ones will not work. Here is the list of new repositaries:
Rip Dev - http://i.ripdev.com
Big Boss - http://apptapp.thebigboss.org/repofiles/installer4/
iSpazio - http://repo.neolinus.org/ispazio/
German - http://sendowski.de/iphone
gPda - http://gpda.ru/r
Andy Dam: http://repo.gafoogle.com/
Ste Packaging: http://repo.smxy.org/installer4
ModMyiFone.com: http://i.modmyifone.com/
Just a reminder, Installer is in beta. So we adwise you to use Cydia.
JocStrap - Java/Objective-C connection library, new version 1.0.2466-18 (was 1.0.2466-17).
Jocstrap is a bridge between Java and Objective-C. This is needed to write Java applications for IPhone. Just in case you don't have Cydia and Java installed on your IPhone, follow these instructions: Tutorial: install Java on the IPhone.
PwnageTool 2.0.2 is out. It will support new firmware 2.0.1. It will jailbreak and unlock the old iPhone and jailbreak new iPhone 3G. Here are the download links:
Installer 4 Beta is included, it is added in any mode by default. The main installer package management interface within PwnageTool isn’t enabled yet, and will report that installer.app isn’t available, but the actual Installer.app package is added as a default option in both modes.
The latest Cydia is also enabled by default. We recommend to use Cydia, not Installer.
This is a WinterBoard theme (will not work on Summerboard or such). It features 100 fantasy wallpapers that rotate randomly every 15 seconds in a fading slide show. The awesome Winterboard app is required. I recommend you situate your icons onto other pages so that the desktop is relatively clear so you can benefit from these outstanding backgrounds. Avaliable... yes, via Cydia.