Hardware unlock of iPhone achieved?

It's now possible to unlock the iPhone for use on other carriers through hardware, according to an online group searching for access controls on the iPhone. While previous method have required the combination of a special SIM card as well as software, the new and currently secretive method allegedly functions by soldering circuit board connections within the iPhone itself. The technique is said to be risky and maintains a "high probability" of rendering the phone inert but allows any SIM card from a GSM-based carrier beyond AT&T to send and receive calls without modifications and while still using the iPhone's original software.

Information about the hack is being withheld until about one week from Tuesday, when the group claims it will publish detailed instructions of how to repeat the process. Refinements may also allow hobbyists to perform the same technique using only software, achieving a much sought-after unlock that avoids the need for separate hardware to provide complete access.

A video demonstrating the reported hack functioning with a T-Mobile SIM card is available below.

(via Finding JTAG)