As before (with the 3G and 3GS) I scoured Hong Kong, only to find the iPhone 4 was backordered and generally not available, even through the Apple Store HK.  Then I read an article where Canada (and the UK) were also selling factory unlocked versions. This is in addition to those already available (due to local laws) in Australia, Italy, and the previously mentioned HK.

So I started watching prices.  I see I shouldn’t have waited.  There was the initial flood, then somewhat limited availability, then they became available, but at a premium.

I saved my pennies (and nickels, dimes, and dollars) to pay for the approximate $200 "premium" for the factory unlocked version.  My need for this device is, as mentioned before, that I use GCI service here in Alaska (since I work for them.)

I was also lucky, I later found out, as the device came with iOS 4.0.1.  The key here is that I do use several apps only available by jailbreaking (a couple of them being iRealSMS or SwirlyMMS.)  The newest, at this writing iOS 4.0.2, can not be jailbroken.  In fact, that was the primary reason Apple distributed this release. (There is also a PDF security patch, but that can be downloaded separately via Cydia on a jailbroken device.)  (*** Update:  Apple has released 4.1)

So I charged the device, and after swapping the GCI SIM from my 3GS, activated the phone.  I barely took a glance at the new features before heading straight to http://jailbreakme.com.  A few minutes later Cydia and Rock were installed and off I went.

I added a few jailbroken apps and other than some minor annoying operational glitches with iRealSMS, all was fine.  Or so I thought…

I had placed a few calls, but didn’t think there was a problem.  Then a received a call and picked it up with my Plantronics Voyager Pro BT headset.  After being on the phone for several minutes, the caller finally interrupted and said they were having trouble hearing me.  I spoke up a bit and repeated what I had said.  Still they were having trouble, and a minute later, again said they couldn’t hear me; I was "muffled."  All along, I could hear them fine.

I didn’t give it much more thought, but then on a later call, I was once again told I sounded "muffled."  This time, however, I wasn’t on the headset, so that was really disconcerting. 

After searching Google and the Apple discussion groups I found where there was indeed a "muffled audio" issue, but only saw it associated with Bluetooth audio.  Several people had done a multitude of things to attempt to resolve — all with limited success.

In the process, I also read about "slow upload speeds."  I hadn’t noticed, but decided to check.  Sure enough, I was getting ‘normal’ download speeds, but barely achieving GPRS data upload throughput.  Wow!

Finally, after a few days of use, I started to notice another anomaly, that of the "proximity sensor bug."  Essentially there is a problem with screen control (on / off) when you raise or lower the phone to your ear.  My issue was noticed, on a few occasions, where when I removed the phone from my ear (for example to hang up, or dial a number to continue in voicemail) and the screen remained dark.  It would *not* come back on, even pressing the home button or sleep button, tapping the screen, etc.  This was a real problem (albeit very infrequent in the scheme of things) and sent me back to Google and the Apple support site.

There were all sorts of things to try to fix any or all of these problems.  I started with the least drastic, and did a "Reset All Settings".  That way, I didn’t have to do a restore, mess with my jailbreak or approved apps, etc.  Everything was fine, with the exception of re-entering the network settings for GCI and my various wi-fi connections.  I also had to re-enter a number of (but strangely not all) passwords.

I did a reboot of the phone, and checked the easiest thing first.  Lo and behold, but upload speed problem disappeared.  I was getting normal EDGE (GCI doesn’t have 3G on GSM, only on the CDMA side) speeds.  In due course, made a couple of phone calls, with and without the headset, and the person on the other end didn’t report muffled audio.  The next item, the proximity sensor bug, has not reappeared after the reset.

So, all in all, I am very pleased with the new device.  It is much faster, has a fantastic screen, and on and on.  In general, I have really taken to new features that I really didn’t think I would use, such as multi-tasking.  Time will tell, and with the release of iOS 4.1, I hope a jailbreak will follow soon.

Tags: Apple, iPhone, iPhone 4, 3G, 3GS, GCI, iRealSMS, SwirlyMMS, jailbreakme.com, jailbreak, Alaska

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There is now a (beta) version of my iRealSMS app. Now, today, SwirlySpace released v.2.1 of SwirlyMMS. I paid for the upgrade, and after several hours received my license code. Why would I buy (for $6USD) an app to do MMS when it’s already built in? Well, the Apple Messaging app works quite well, but is limited in functionality. The Swirly app will all attaching not only photos but also notes, audio, etc. Apple just isn’t quite there yet…

Continuing to get everything set up again, after restoring as a new phone. But that minor inconvenience has resulted in a stable, and really cool, phone!