New Case Adds Unlocked SIM Slot to Jailbroken iPhones

[MacRumors]

Vooma has announced an iPhone case with a backup battery and, more interestingly, an unlocked SIM slot. The case works with a jailbreak-only app that emulates the iPhone's native phone app to allow calls via the external SIM. At its core, the case unlocks any jailbroken iPhone.

TechCrunch's John Biggs tried a pre-release version of the case and came away impressed:

Once it's set up the Peel PG92 works seamlessly and even uses a similar interface to Apple's own dialer - although it's clear that the programmers had to cut a few corners to get the look and feel correct. For example, the dialing screen is actually a bitmapped copy of the original dialer and the letters and numbers are slightly warped. However, all of the major functionality is recreated in the Vooma app.

However, this is clearly a very cool and clever hack and it works without problems on any jailbroken iPhone.

Details are scarce, but it appears that the case fits mini-SIM cards, not the micro-SIM that fits in the iPhone 4 and 4S. Also, the external SIM could be used for voice calls only -- data most likely goes through the SIM card that's installed in the iPhone. Because the external SIM is used via its own app the internal SIM can still be used for voice calls even with the case installed.

The case would be most useful for international travelers who wish to install a prepaid SIM card from a local carrier, without having to unlock their subsidized iPhone from a domestic carrier. Unlocking an iPhone is typically more difficult than a simple jailbreak.

Vooma has a sign-up form on its homepage to get more information on the Peel PG920, but the company has disclosed no details about pricing or availability.

Article Link: New Case Adds Unlocked SIM Slot to Jailbroken iPhones

 

[tmofee]

thank the maker that unlocking phones over in australia is so much easier. still, that's a pretty cool idea, people with say, a work number and a personal number... no more 2 phones in your pocket!!

 

[mobilehaathi]

That's pretty cool. Although it is unfortunate people have to go to those lengths in the first place....

 

[SuprUsrStan]

They're allowed to do that?

 

[tmofee]

That's pretty cool. Although it is unfortunate people have to go to those lengths in the first place....

to be fair, you don't see a lot of dual smart phones as of yet. it might be different in the US, but i've only spied one in australia, and that was a dual sim dumb phone - you could choose which sim to call/message but as far as i remember, it didn't do much in the way of apps/data etc...

 

[guan]

I can’t tell for certain, but from the description, doesn’t it sound like they’ve added a whole other phone to the iPhone, not just a SIM slot?

 

[tmofee]

look at the battery insert on the tech crunch webpage.. is that a nokia battery used in that thing???

----------

I can’t tell for certain, but from the description, doesn’t it sound like they’ve added a whole other phone to the iPhone, not just a SIM slot?

through an app, yes.

essentially the second sim would mainly only be able to call/send messages through a jailbroken app you probably keep open. so if anyone calls on that second number, it would pop up much like Skype does now...

 

[arn]

I can’t tell for certain, but from the description, doesn’t it sound like they’ve added a whole other phone to the iPhone, not just a SIM slot?

ya, basically, a phone without any buttons/interface, piggybacking on your iPhone.

arn

 

[imageWIS]

I can see the lawsuit now...

 

[mobilehaathi]

to be fair, you don't see a lot of dual smart phones as of yet. it might be different in the US, but i've only spied one in australia, and that was a dual sim dumb phone - you could choose which sim to call/message but as far as i remember, it didn't do much in the way of apps/data etc...

Actually, I agree it is cool and useful beyond simply wanting an unlocked sim slot. You can have two phone numbers and plans in one phone!

 

[tmofee]

I can see the lawsuit now...

why??

everything is included on the case. the app is for a jailbreak. i don't see it coming to the app store any time soon .. but i don't see what the big deal is .. the phone essentially stays the same.

 

[benguild]

That's pretty cool. Although it is unfortunate people have to go to those lengths in the first place....

I agree, hopefully this will just push the carriers to allow unlocks. So stupid, but I mean what's even stupider is buying this instead of an unlocked phone ... considering you could buy the locked one, sell it, buy an unlocked one, and probably save money.

 

[tmofee]

Actually, I agree it is cool and useful beyond simply wanting an unlocked sim slot. You can have two phone numbers and plans in one phone!

if i could get my head around the whole jail breaking thing and if didn't screw my phone up .. i'd get one of these. at the present I'm carrying an iPhone 4s (personal) and a 3GS (work). both with mophie juice packs. no, they ARE two phones in my pocket. I'm not happy to see you

i don't use the 3GS for apps/data, just for calls that come in and messages for calls. as long as the battery was pretty reliable, i'd get it. even so, it looks pretty easy to swap out and insert a new battery. spares!

 

[Starflyer]

Make this work with an iPod Touch and you have a winner.

 

[mobilehaathi]

if i could get my head around the whole jail breaking thing and if didn't screw my phone up .. i'd get one of these. at the present I'm carrying an iPhone 4s (personal) and a 3GS (work). both with mophie juice packs. no, they ARE two phones in my pocket. I'm not happy to see you

i don't use the 3GS for apps/data, just for calls that come in and messages for calls. as long as the battery was pretty reliable, i'd get it. even so, it looks pretty easy to swap out and insert a new battery. spares!

Yeah that sounds like a giant pain....

 

[outz]

ya, basically, a phone without any buttons/interface, piggybacking on your iPhone.

arn

That's kinda what I got out of it too... So no data service?

 

[appleguru1]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

Not sure why this has to be a jailbroken app even... Join the made for iPod program, use the apple accessory protocol and audio in/out on the dock connector, and make a legit app store app...

 

[JAT]

had to cut a few corners to get the look and feel correct. For example, the dialing screen is actually a bitmapped copy of the original dialer and the letters and numbers are slightly warped.

So...they can make a piece of hardware and the software to add a phone to another phone, but they can't draw a number pad for the retina display?

 

[mobilehaathi]

Make this work with an iPod Touch and you have a winner.

Ok I'd buy both a new iPod touch and that thing RIGHT NOW if they did that.

 

[faroZ06]

Yes, a T-Mobile iPhone is just what I wanted

 

[arn]

That's kinda what I got out of it too... So no data service?

Since you're working with a jailbroken iPhone, anything's possible -- though much more complicated. But doesn't seem like it yet.

arn

 

[faroZ06]

Ok I'd buy both a new iPod touch and that thing RIGHT NOW if they did that.

Used 3GS (or 4) + unlocking device.....
Maybe I should do that. It's hilarious how un-Apple-like that is but cheaper.

 

[scbn]

Interesting ...A phone wrapped around an iPhone. Looks quite bulky to me. But still better than carrying two phones as I do when travelling abroad.

 

[ChristIsLORD]

Wasn't there a similiar device also called "peel" that was on this site like a year ago that was supposed to add a phone component to an ipod touch?

Oh wait it's here http://www.peel520.net/

 

[Kid A]

This is also great for people who miss those gigantic old cell phones.
The 90s are the latest thing in retro, after all.