[Tejas@perioimpl]

This just in. Croma is in talks with Apple to sell unlocked iphone 3GS in India. Initially was to be launched tomorrow but, apparently apple price was high and vodafone and airtel started waving contracts. Launch hopefully now on 19 October (or 9th - my cell network dropped at that very moment) if all goes well.

Source: Croma head honcho #2.

[srijit]

Sigh. Unlocked phones would mean costs above 40K. :(

[theEnd]

A salesperson at the Imagine store in Atria Mall (Worli, Mumbai) told me that the iPhone 3GS would only be available in January!

[spadival]

If you are really desperate, have the cash and don't have anyone to get you the iPhone, there is a guy willing to ship iPhones 3GS from Australia.

Live Overseas? Want an Unlocked iPhone 3GS? Look Inside - MacTalk Forums

Of course, Its another matter on whether it will get thru Indian customs without getting molested.

Edit: I lost 3G tethering after I upgraded to 3.1. Anyone knows of a hack (without jailbreaking?).

[srijit]

People in India have bought iPhone 3GS from Australia via eBay. Customs cost in Tamil Nadu was Rs1800.

[spadival]

Originally Posted by srijit

People in India have bought iPhone 3GS from Australia via eBay. Customs cost in Tamil Nadu was Rs1800.

eBay == Huge markup well over the cost price + chances of fraud.

What was the total cost of the 3GS from ebay excluding customs charges?

[srijit]

Originally Posted by spadival

eBay == Huge markup well over the cost price + chances of fraud.

What was the total cost of the 3GS from ebay excluding customs charges?

Not if you buy from reputed sellers. Cost was some $50-60 over price in AUS Apple store, plus $40 expedited shipping with tracking code.

Friend of mine messaged the people who bought from a seemingly reputed seller and got a guy in TN who had bought the 3GS. Got the customs rate from that guy.

ps: It is becoming increasingly difficult to jailbreak and upgrade. TUAW has an article, an interview with Saurik, which says that newer firmware will have to be approved by Apple before it gets installed on the phone. Yes, a working net connection will soon become a requirement to install a firmware.

So better to get a factory unlocked phone than buy a contract phone. Only drawback (and it is a huge one) is the cost. :(

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Guys, download PING for iphone. It's exactly like the BB instant messaging service. Can be used iphone to iphone or touch and it's free.

[srijit]

Does that work with unlocked phones?

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by srijit

Does that work with unlocked phones?

Yes, but you need to enable push notifications which get automatically blocked once you unlock a phone. If you have a jailbroken phone and not unlocked, no problem.

If unlocked do this:

1. uninstall ping!
2. add source cydia.iphoneil.net to cydia
3. search for “push” in cydia and install “Push Fix” . Reboot the device.
4. install ping! again.
5. reboot device.

For the first time you launch ping, let it connect to the server via gprs and ot wifi. once you set your username, then you can go via wifi

For troubleshooting see:
[Support] I cannot get past the initial "Connecting please wait" screen. What am I doing wrong? | Facebook

Homepage:
www.pingmessaging.com

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Yes, but you need to enable push notifications which get automatically blocked once you unlock a phone. If you have a jailbroken phone and not unlocked, no problem.

If unlocked do this:

1. uninstall ping!
2. add source cydia.iphoneil.net to cydia
3. search for “push” in cydia and install “Push Fix” . Reboot the device.
4. install ping! again.
5. reboot device.

For the first time you launch ping, let it connect to the server via gprs and ot wifi. once you set your username, then you can go via wifi

For troubleshooting see:
[Support] I cannot get past the initial "Connecting please wait" screen. What am I doing wrong? | Facebook

Homepage:
www.pingmessaging.com

Tried all that. Still no go

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by Sahil

Tried all that. Still no go

Connect to their page on FB. There are troubleshooting discussions. Anyways, today's update says that they solved the issue.

Can you connect to their server or it hangs at connecting? Don't use Wifi first time.

What's your userid? try to ping me on tejask

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Connect to their page on FB. There are troubleshooting discussions. Anyways, today's update says that they solved the issue.

Can you connect to their server or it hangs at connecting? Don't use Wifi first time.

What's your userid? try to ping me on tejask

It says "Connect to iTunes to activate push notification" ??

Push is already active, I get my google sync mails as push.

I don't have a ping id yet, need the program to first open to create one !

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by Sahil

It says "Connect to iTunes to activate push notification" ??

Push is already active, I get my google sync mails as push.

I don't have a ping id yet, need the program to first open to create one !

Are you using an unlocked iphone or officially vodafone? and 2g or 3g?

If you are using an unlocked iphone, then your push gets blocked and google mails come in as pull. You need to download the push fix then.

If you are using a vodafone official locked iphone, contact vodafone and ask them to enable push.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Are you using an unlocked iphone or officially vodafone? and 2g or 3g?

If you are using an unlocked iphone, then your push gets blocked and google mails come in as pull. You need to download the push fix then.

If you are using a vodafone official locked iphone, contact vodafone and ask them to enable push.

I have an unlocked 2g. Have installed the push fix from cydia. Push worked fine even before that via google sync.