The iPhone-Dev Team quietly released PwnageTool 2.0 by the weekend, allowing iPhone and iPhone 3G owners to hack, or “jailbreak,” their handhelds and load applications that aren’t available through Apple’s App Store.

The utility additionally lets first-generation iPhone owners unlock their device for use on unapproved cell carrier networks.

According to the group, Pwnage 2.0 will additionally jailbreak the iPod touch.

Jailbreaking was popular among iPhone ability users before the launch of the App Store and its

Apple-sanctioned third-party applications.

While some users speculated that hacks for unauthorized apps wouldn’t be essential after the iTunes-based store opened, it appears that there is still interest in apps that fall outside of Apple’s approval circle.

Since jailbreaking is not an Apple sanctioned process, there is a chance that it could damage your handheld, and in some cases Apple may refuse to supply warranty coverage for jailbroken devices.

Orginal post by Top Tech News