I had a note in from Jody Sanders of iPhoneUnlockUK. They’ve been pretty successful unlocking previous versions of the iPhone and they’re rather excited to be able to offer a full unlock for the 3G version. it does involve a ‘piggyback sim’ and a bit of desktop software.

You can find out more at http://www.iphoneunlockuk.com/ or visit their London or Birmingham clinics!

I haven’t tried it myself but if you’re thinking of getting a PAYG 3G iPhone (recently released), this might be a useful consideration.

Here’s the mail from Jody:

Dear Ewan Macleod

Just a brief email to say that the iPhone 3G has been released in the UK on Pay-As-You-Go, available from Carphone Warehouse, o2 and the Apple Stores for just GBP 349 (8gb) and GBP 399 (16GB)

Our solution to fully unlock the iPhone 3G is also now available for just GBP 39.99 per iPhone, price INCLUDES our piggyback sim despatched via next day delivery and our award-winning, 1 click software. Buy now at http://www.iphoneunlockuk.com/buynow.php

We can also do this in-store for just GBP 59.99 at our new London store (http://www.iphoneunlockuk.com/clinic.php).

If you have already purchased our 3G software, you can purchase our piggyback sim separately by logging into your account for GBP 20.00

Kind regards

Jody Sanders iPhoneUnlockUK

It’s a very special video this week — we tried out the SIMable ‘sim unlocking solution’ for handsets on a Nokia N95… and it worked. Then we tried it on an Apple iPhone 3G…. and it worked. An EXCLUSIVE! All on camera for your viewing pleasure. £16 of pure joy, that SIMable. I’ve just ordered one myself.

We were joined by a special guest in the form of Josh Russell — entrepreneur, founder, WiMax specialist and new Tuttle Brighton social media cafe host.

We pull take a look at Duracell’s new mobile phone (and iPhone/iPod) Pocket Charger — thanks Duracell, it’s good to see them bringing their might to this market.

James takes a walk about Covent Garden and checks out the phones in use by the tourists and young things. There are plenty of annoyed CDMA-sporting tourists without their cell phones — and even one Canadian couple (we really felt for them).

And — we had so much feedback from the previous two videos about the bloopers (you really liked them) so we’ve kept them in this week. You must, must, must watch — I kid ye not, James Whatley was ‘spotted’ by some Italian girl who thought he was a famous singer. She proceeded to demand an autograph and photo. No shrinking violet, our very own Superstar Whatley was happy to oblige. Must-see TV.

Here, then, is the high quality video:

Mobile Industry Review Video 17 from Ewan MacLeod on Vimeo.

Featured SMS Text News people:
- Dan Lane
- Ben Smith
- James Whatley
(and me, Ewan, briefly — for my Sony Ericsson News)

Topics discussed:
1. Duracell’s New Mobile Phone (and iPhone/iPod) Pocket Charger ( 01:13 )
2. SIMable ‘sim unlocking solution’ for handsets ( 02:07 )
-Nokia N95 ( 02:40 )
-Apple iPhone 3G ( 06:14 )
3. Sony Ericsson News ( 10:54 )
4. Ewan Macleod discusses the site name change ( 11:16 )
5. Special Guest: Josh Russell ( 12:21 )
6. Femtocell feature coming soon ( 15:40 )
7. James Whatley phone spotting with the Covent Garden Normobs ( 16:48 )
8. James Whatley mistaken for a famous singer? ( 22:30 )

Reading this on a phone? Good news. You can probably view the 3gp version of the video by clicking here. It works on most modern handsets.

I think the ultimate iPhone 3G experience must be on UK network operator, 3.  Their data network really is something special.  Trouble is, I can’t remember where I put my 3 SIM.   I think I might need to acquire another one.

Should I ‘unlock’ my o2 iPhone?  I think I’ll try it out.  I’ve been thinking carefully about whether or not to upgrade my iPhone’s o2 price plan because I’ve begun using it more and more as a primary handset.  Primary handsets aren’t good when they come with something shocking like 75 minutes and 75 texts inclusive.

Or I could use my Vodafone SIM, too — that’s currently my primary number.  How convenient!

There is the added arse of having an 18 month o2 contract.  Decisions, decisions.

Anyway, standby for the video podcast this week.  You’ll see Dan Lane unlocking a Nokia N95, real time, in the middle of Covent Garden.  Then you’ll see the same happen again with the Apple iPhone 3G.  (The very same one that took him 8.5 hours in a queue at the Apple store to acquire).