Have a jailbroken iPhone and wish you could better control how your actual phone application behaves? StartDial, available in Cydia now, will allow you to alter what tabs your phone application will open and when.

StartDial is a simple tweak that allows you to chose the view to start with when the Phone application is launched.

Most people either want the phone application to launch their contacts, favorites, or the dial pad initially. StartDial will force your iPhone to load whatever tab you choose every single time.

In addition to setting which tab the phone app opens to initially you can also remove the Visual Voicemail tab altogether. This is one of the main reasons I love this modification. I never have to worry about anyone going through my voicemails if I let someone borrow my iPhone or I lose it. It's a useful feature for users who may keep sensitive information in their voicemail.

You can also set the phone app to automatically launch to the Recents tab if you have any missed calls. So if you see that you have 4 missed calls on your lockscreen but left the phone app on the keypad tab, it will automatically take you to the recents tab when you attempt to check your missed calls.

It's pretty simple for a jailbreak mod but packs a lot of power depending on how you choose to use it.

StarDial is already available in Cydia and will run on any iPhone running iOS 4 or higher. If you're looking for even more tweaks and utilities to install, check out our guide to the best jailbreak applications for iOS 5.

• Free - Cydia Link

Even more jailbreak resources:

• How to jailbreak guides
• Jailbreak apps, hacks, and themes
• General jailbreak and unlock help forums

Slider Pro is a lightweight but useful jailbreak mod in Cydia that lets you customize the slide to unlock text on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. It comes with a handful of great presets including adding the date and time to your lock slider. Time and date are available in a number of different formats. If you'd just like to add custom text to the slider, you can do that as well. Once installed you can just pop into your general Settings app and customize it from there.

If you're looking to add functionality to your lockscreen but don't want to overload your jailbroken iPhone with too many tweaks and mods which may conflict with each other or just bog down your device, then this may be the way to go. It's especially convenient if you have an app like IntelliscreenX or LockInfo and want to hide the lock clock to create more room for additional widgets. It'll allow you to use space that's already there in a more efficient way.

Slider Pro is already available in Cydia and will run on any iOS device running iOS 4 or higher. If you're looking for even more tweaks and utilities to install, check out our guide to the best jailbreak applications for iOS 5.

• Free - Cydia Link

More jailbreak resources:

• How to jailbreak guides
• Jailbreak apps, hacks, and themes
• General jailbreak and unlock help forums

Motion is a new jailbreak utility available in Cydia that makes your iPhone homescreen just a bit more interesting. While Motion may not add a ton of functionality to your device, it's a fun tweak to play around with and show off to your friends. It basically adds transitions and effects to the movement to all of the icons on your springboard.

Motion is a tweak that makes your icons move. There are a whole bunch of settings you can use to liven up your home screen and make your icons dance around.

• Rotate: Make your icons rotate
• Scaling: Make your icons grow
• Skew: Make your icons tilt sideways
• Jump: Make your icons jump
• Transparency: Make your icons fade in and out
• Waves: Make your icons move in waves (vertical and horizontal)

You can use these settings alone, or in combinations.

Motion is already available in the Cydia store and will run on any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 4.x or higher. If you're looking for even more tweaks and utilities to install, check out our guide to the best jailbreak applications for iOS 5.

• $1.00 -- Cydia Store Link

More jailbreak resources:

• How to jailbreak guides
• Jailbreak apps, hacks, and themes
• General jailbreak and unlock help forums

Oh, you know I had to do a hands-on and give the iMore Nation a quick look at the glowing Apple logo mod for iPhone and iPhone 4. Despite Ally's warnings, the moment I saw this luminescent bit of K.O.Gadget awesome go up for sale I knew I had to have it. My own. My precious!

I'll be doing the mod this weekend, and hopefully electrocuting neither myself nor my precious iPhone in the process, and will have the full video up for you soon. In the meantime, whether you want one of your very own, are still on the fence, or will have nothing to do with such brazen acts of folly, check out the unboxing for the pure, geeky thrill of it!

SuperSwitcher is a new jailbreak mod in Cydia that offers extended functionality and settings access to the Fast App Switcher on your iPhone.

Don't you just hate searching for your favorite app icon in between so many Springboard pages? Wish you could just "bookmark" your favorite apps in the multitasking bar? Now you can with SuperSwitcher!

With SuperSwitcher you can bookmark your 9 favorite apps in the menu above the multitasking bar, and the apps can be set through Settings. But that's not all! You can also change the system settings right from the menu above the multitasking bar!

• Toggle Bluetooth
• Toggle WiFi
• Change volume and brightness settings
• Respring
• Reboot
• Safe Mode
• Tweet, SMS, Mail or Call anyone on the fly

SuperSwitcher takes your multitasking bar to the next level!

This is a really great mod that adds a lot of value to the Fast App Switcher. You can customize your favorite apps for instant access, control brightness and other settings on-the-fly and then some.

If you run into any trouble you can always jump into our Jailbreak and Unlock forums or post it in the comments!

• $.99 -- Cydia Store Link

Snappy5 for iOS 5 is a new jailbreak mod in Cydia that brings instant access to the iPhone camera no matter what you're doing.

Never miss a photo opportunity again!

It is a camera application that launches quickly, without having to exit your currently running application. This is a free upgrade, but it is not compatible with 3.x and 4.x iOS versions.

Although Apple does include camera access from the iPhone lock screen in iOS 5, the app still technically needs to be launched before you'll be able to snap a photo. As such, it still takes a measurable amount of time to launch the camera.

Snappy5 rids this issue by implementing a mobile substrate extension tie-in, which gives near-instant access to the camera no matter where you are. Another great feature is snap on launch, which takes a photo the moment Snappy5 is called up. If you're in an app, at your home screen, or have your iPhone locked - you won't have to worry about missing that special moment with Snappy5.

If you run into any trouble you can always jump into our Jailbreak and Unlock forums or post it in the comments!

• $.99 -- Cydia Store Link

Mail More Photos is a new jailbreak mod in Cydia that aims to get rid of the five photo per email limitation on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Mail More Photos allows you to attach as many photos as you want to email. The default limit of 5 photos is removed from the Albums and Places views. The title bar is also updated to show the total size of all selected files.

The added value of showing how many photos you've selected, along with the total size of the photos you'll be emailing is really great. Mail More Photos requires iOS 4 or higher, and is the perfect extension to an already useful feature.

• $.99 -- Cydia Link

Replacing the rear camera in your GSM or CDMA iPhone 4 isn't a very difficult DIY repair, as long as you have the right tools and parts. We'll walk you through step by step and show you how to get your camera back into working order in no time. While the GSM and CDMA variants are slightly different, the guide will work for both. So grab your tools and your sad iPhone 4 and follow along!

Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore nor PXLFIX can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It’s also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don’t feel comfortable opening your device, don’t. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.

What you need for a DIY iPhone 4 rear camera repair

PXLFIX recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like eTech Parts. They have quality parts, tools, and much more for all your repair needs.

• GSM or CDMA iPhone 4
• Rear camera replacement - iPhone 4 camera
• #00 Phillips screwdriver
• Pry tool or spudger
• Security screwdriver (only if your iPhone has 5-point security screws in the dock connector)

Power off your iPhone 4

Before performing any repair, always power off your device before removing any screws or parts.

Remove the back of your iPhone

1. First remove the bottom 2 dock connector screws in your iPhone 4. Use either your #00 screwdriver or the five point depending on whether or not your iPhone 4 has security screws in the dock connector. Almost all newer devices will have security screws.

2. To remove the back simply slide the back upwards and lift it off gently.
3. Set the back and 2 dock connector screws aside.

Before we move on to actually replacing the camera. You may want to make sure your back plate is not the culprit if your camera is producing bad images. Check and make sure neither the inside or outside of the lens cover is scratches or cloudy. If it is, try taking a picture with your back cover removed. If the pictures turn out fine, you'll just need to replace your iPhone 4 back cover. If your images are still blurry or the camera does not function at all, you'll need to continue on to replace the actual rear camera component.

Remove the battery

1. To remove the battery you’ll need to remove the #00 screw holding the battery clip in place. Remove this screw located to the bottom left of the battery.

2. The metal clip on the battery is what clips the battery to the logic board. You’ll need to pop this clip up with your plastic pry tool. Simply stick the end of your pry tool underneath the clip and gently pull upwards until it unfastens from the logic board.

3. To remove the battery, I do not recommend using the plastic pull tab. There is quite a bit of adhesive underneath the battery and the tab will normally just rip off or you can bend the battery. Instead, run your pry tool along the right side of the battery and break the adhesive that way. Once the battery is free from the adhesive, you can pull the battery out of the phone. There are no other connectors holding it in.

4. GSM iPhone 4 users will notice a tiny grounding clip sitting underneath where you unscrewed the battery. Set this aside for replacement during reassembly. This is a grounding clip for your antenna. Make sure you put it back in place before reconnecting your battery. CDMA users will not see this as it is in a different location.

Remove the top logic board shield

1. There are 5 screws holding the logic board shield in place. Depending on whether you have a CDMA or GSM iPhone 4, your shield will look different. The process is the same though. Simply remove the 5 screws holding it in place. Just be sure to remember which holes they came out of as the screws are different sizes. I always keep them in order of how they came out.

2. Next you'll need to remove the shield. Both models have a tiny clip built into the shield holding it in place. (Refer to the photo above.) Pop it up with your pry tool and you should be able to slide the shield up fairly easily. Just take care not to bend it or break off a clip. The Verizon variant seats into the logic board with two tiny notches underneath the camera connection. When reassembling, just line up the two notches on the shield and it will slide into place easily. For the AT&T model, just make sure the clip in the photo above is the first part you insert and it will line up nicely again.

Replace the rear camera

1. There is only one connector holding the camera to the logic board. Simply remove this cable in the picture above using your pry tool. Gently lift upwards and it will pop right off.

2. Next gently lift the camera out of the device. You'll notice there is a tiny tab that is seated underneath the LCD and digitizer cables to the right.

3. To insert the new camera, start by sliding the tabbed part underneath the two cables and then push down gently to seat the camera. Try not to touch the lens at all.

4. Re-fasten the cable to the logic board.

And ...done!

That's it! All you'll need to do now is reassemble your device in the reverse order and you'll be taking pictures again in no time.

Have you done this repair yourself? Let us know how it went! Want to know how to perform another type of iPhone repair or modification? Send me suggestions to ally.kazmucha@tipb.com or leave a comment in our brand new Mod and DIY Repair Forum!

For repair questions or to inquire about mail-in repairs through PXLFIX, please follow us on Twitter or e-mail us directly!

iPhone jailbreak developer chpwn, along with the help of planetbeing and Ryan Petrich, have released Spire -- a legal way to port Siri to currently unsupported iOS devices like iPhone 4 and iPad 2.

Spire uses a new method to obtain the files necessary for Siri, so it doesn’t have the copyright issues encountered by previous attempts. Similarly, rather than directing all traffic through a specific proxy server (and the associated privacy issues), Spire allows you to specify your own proxy server.

Available in Cydia now, and if you need extra help, jump into our jailbreak app forum.

Source: chbwn blog; proxy FAQ

SwitcherCleaner is new jailbreak mod in Cydia that changes the behavior of the multitasking Fast App Switcher to only show apps that are actually running in the background, and keeps the quit button visible at all times.

• *Requires iOS 5 or higher
• SwitcherCleaner contains two features of SwitcherMod for iOS5.
  • RemoveRecents: show only running apps
  • AlwaysAvailableQuit: show quit button anytime
• No icons added to the homescreen
• No options to configure

In addition, SwitcherCleaner helps save time for power-users with the AlwaysAvailableQuit function, removing the requirement to tap-and-hold an icon before you're able to kill the app.

It's a great tool for anyone who wants to keep their Fast App Switcher clean.

• Free -- Cydia Link

Ally's new series of weekly iPhone and iPad mods and repairs inspired me to try and see how well a total beginner like myself could tackle her projects. So, playing n00b to her ninja, the first thing I thought I'd try was a simple backplate swap.

And the folks at www.unYOUsual.com were kind of enough to supply me with a custom backplate to get me going. I picked the classic 6-colors Apple logo on a nice, dark wood textured background, uploaded it to their site, submitted it, then waited by the mailbox for it to arrive.

Swapping out the backplate was a little nerve-wracking, I'm not even going to lie. My iPhone 4 is out of warranty, so that wasn't a concern. Seeing everything open, with the battery and components exposed, took a few deep breaths to get used to.

unyousual.net provided both types of screwdrivers, both regular and pentalobe, and they were magnetized so I didn't have to worry about losing the screws -- at least as much as I might have otherwise. Once the screws were out, swapping the backplate was quick and easy. Slide the original one out, slide the new one in, refasten the screws.

The results were super sweet too. The new custom backplate looks stunning -- so stunning I had to immediately protect it from those around me who tried to make off with it!

If you're at all interested in mods for your iPhone, a backplate swap is a really nice, simple way to get started. Just pick up your own custom kit from unyousual.net and give it a try!

If you have an extra $40 dollars burning a hole in your wallet and around 10-15 minutes of free time, K.O Gadget Store has an awesome mod available that gives you a glowing back logo for your iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

The logo lights up whenever the front screen is turned on, and stays illuminated for 15 seconds after you put your iPhone to sleep. It even lights up when you're holding the phone up to your ear while on a call!

The mod is fairly easy to install based on the video instructions from their website, and the end results are pretty stellar. It's as easy as removing the 2 screw on the bottom of the iPhone using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, then sliding the back panel off by pressing up with your thumbs. Installing the illuminated logo is the only tricky part, but even those with little skill can accomplish the task.

It's a great companion to your MacBook Pro, and they even include the required tools necessary to complete the installation. Check out the instructional video above!

UPDATE: Their site is currently down while they upgrade their servers to handle all the orders. If you manage to snag one, let us know!

Source: K.O Gadget Store

Today on the forums there are a couple of threads definitely worth checking out:

The first thread for today was started by yours truly back on July 12th, Some of us have one... Happy? Not Happy? Feel free to rant away in there about all your new iPhone likes and dislikes. Next up is a thread where rats13 wants to know should he wait to get a iPhone or should he just go for it? My personal opinion Rats13... what are you waiting for?!

One of my favorites, the infamous Wallpaper thread. Help us out and post some of your favorite wallpapers! Last but not least is a great little modification tip you can do to your iPhone if you want to give it a more refined look. Check it out: brushed metal!

And don't forget to register folks, it's the only way to join in on the conversation -- and it's free!

See you on the forums!

The iPhone is a stunning piece of industrial design that screams taste and style. So what better way to modify a beautiful product than ugly it up with black spray paint and faux classic rainbow Apple logo, in a style reminiscent of the Newton. At least this guy won't have to worry about someone stealing his iPhone. Unless he lives in the UK, of course.

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iNdependence 1.2.5 (Mac only, sorry Winlosers) is out and ready to liberate iPhones running firmware 1.1.1. This release comes complete with full SSH support, as well as anySIM 1.1 pre-installed... for those of you crazy brave enough to brick unlock your iPhone.

Now before you go trotting off to download this app on your Mac, like the slutty iCrack whore that you are, a word of warning: Unlocking, be it through anySIM or other hackery, can be a risky endeavor that may result in damaging your iPhone. The process used by such apps involves monkeying with iPhone's baseband settings, the all important and tightly guarded driver software that controls phone connectivity, or lack thereof. If something should go wrong during the unlock execution, your iPhone becomes an expensive paperweight. At least until such time as the hacking community can create a fix to reverse the damage. So I do advise caution, and common sense... two qualities that are sorely lacking in me.

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Free at last, Free at last... praise god almighty, my bricked iPhone is free at last! Well, not quite... I haven't actully applied this method yet.

Here's the deal - Civil war has broken out among iPhone Dev Team, leaving the group broken into several splinter factions, each with its own banner and coat of arms. The disunited groups plan to settle their differences on World of Warcraft, in a blood orgy of axe wielding carnage. One faction, modestly named "iPhone Elite", has released a method for downgrading the all important baseband settings that turned anySIM unlocked iPhones into bricks upon updating to firmware 1.1.1. What makes this significant is that even downgrading from 1.1.1, back to 1.0.2 won't restore a bricked iPhone due to changes made by anySIM to the iPhone's baseband settings. This solution provides a way of undoing those changes, restoring baseband to its original state... resulting in unbricking.

And wouldn't you know... this release comes just as I am headed out the door to meet with a client. But rest assured my comatose bricked iPhone, affectionately known ever more as Frankenphone, will be brought back to life shortly. The Doctor is in.

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Hey, want to void your warranty and turn your iPhone into an expensive paperweight with future firmware updates? If so, iPhone Dev Team has a hack for you. They've successfully managed to jailbreak factory fresh iPhones running firmware 1.1.1, enabling support for black market third party applications, and utilize non-AT&T SIM cards to roll your own network. However, no workaround solution has been found for previously unlocked, now bricked, iPhones updated to 1.1.1.

Yes, yes, it all sounds well and good, but given the fact iPhone Dev Team has yet to undo the catastrophic damage created by anySIM with Apple's new firmware, why would anyone place their trust in this process again? Trust me folks, if you value your iPhone, stay far away from Jailbreak or unlock software, in any form. You are playing with fire. These half-assed hacks are little more than Molotov cocktails ready to blow up in your face and brick your iPhone. But don't take my word for it. Just ask my previous iPhone, now serving as doorstop and makeshift kitchen utensil.

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Someone has devised a clever yet altogether impractical way of getting 3G speeds on iPhone by pairing it with a Windows Mobile Smartphone equipped with HSDPA. Now, rather than go into details I'll simply refer you to the the website to see and judge for yourself. And I won't be putting this process to the test because my sole Windows Mobile device, a newly purchased AT&T Tilt, is being returned due to the fact it is an utter piece of bovine anal excrement.

For those who crave adventure and just love cramming radioactive gadgets in your pants, go for it. I won't stop you.

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SummerBoard users may want to fire up Installer.app. Four new themes are now available for download; Oren, Phiberglass, JrWallace, and two variations of Tiger. Oren stands out as best theme, in my opinion. It gives your home screen a purple-hued "Fo' Shizzle" look that speaks taste.

Nothing too dramatic, but who doesn't love freebies.

Tired of the same default homescreen, and its OSX Dashboard motif? Bored with tapping the same icons over and over again? Well fire up your Community Source package, and let SummerBoard cure those homescreen blues.

This amazing app changes the look and feel of iPhone's default launcher, with a choice of four available themes. If you have Installer.app setup, just select SummberBoard from the list of source packages. After installed you will see a new icon on your homescreen called SMBPrefs. Tap that and pick a theme. It's just that simple.

Leopard is my favorite. It's colorful but not gaudy. For those of you who lust for those new icons found on iPod Touch, the included Louie Mantia theme will satisfy your craving. If you don't like certain aspects of your UI skinned, like the dock for example, you can simply turn off features you don't want. Try it out yourself.

We really need to pool our money and buy the guys (and gals) of iPhone Dev Team a free round of drinks; they never stop coding! The team is now offering a GUI solution (that's graphical user interface to you newbs out there) to its former iUnlock solution, called anySIM, making the process painless and tolerable. If this solution works as advertised, as it appears to, unlocking your iPhone can be done with just a few mouse clicks. I like the sound of that.

I plan on testing this out myself later today. Keep you posted.

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On the internet, no one can hear your bluff. A blog claims to be offering a $100,000 reward to anyone who can produce a free software unlock solution for iPhone, and deliver it by the chimes of midnight tonight. Of course, no information whatsoever is given to back the legitimacy of this claim, such as who its underwriters are so I'd wager this cash payment is coming from someone's HP deskjet printer. Nothing more than a single email address is available for correspondence, which doesn't instill confidence.

My favorite quote from the site, which gives good insight into the minds behind this project...

Me and my friends are very involved in the open source community and yet everybody who worked on IRC, now is concerned about getting paid and charging everybody for an unlock software. I can’t believe it, it’s like Linus Torvalds would start charging for compiling the kernel.

Imagine that...expecting payment for your work and talent. Why, it almost sounds like Capitalism!

Yeah, these are a bunch of kids.

I'll make a counter offer for anyone who can produce such a solution; one shiny wooden nickel. Any takers?

ReadSource

Yes folks, this is the real deal. Remember that shady website that claimed would release a fully software based iPhone unlock solution within 48 hours? Well...they did. So far I have already received reports from users claiming to have iPhones unlocked and functioning on T-Mobile, Rogers, Vodaphone, and Orange networks.

Engadget has posted a fantastic tutorial detailing the process involved to make the unlock magic happen. It's really straight forward and quite simple. However, I don't have a second iPhone to act as guinea pig, so I won't be putting this unlock solution to the test. Feel free to send me your success stories, or mishaps.

By the way, if anyone out there can confirm their unlocked iPhone works with Centennial Wireless I would much appreciate it. I have a couple friends on that network who are just dying to get iPhones.

A website called iPhone-SIM-Free is claiming that it will release to the world a fully software based SIM unlocking solution for iPhone, within the next 48 hours. That's a pretty bold claim, so either its is legit or a shameless grab for traffic. We'll know in just 48...no...make that 47, no wait. I think 45 hours? Whatever, just bookmark this website and keep checking back.

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For those who want to dabble in the dark world of iPhone hacking, but are driven off from fear of complexity, Gizmodo has posted a great How To guide that explains how to install third party software on iPhone. The process is so easy you don't need to be a l33t hAx0R to make it happen.

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Kyle Stoneman managed to successfully setup his very own Myth TV box. After dancing wildly through the living room, shouting with glee, like a nine year old boy on Christmas morning, his elation was soon dampened when he realized that controlling the box required sitting next to a computer. Lame.

So the industrious would-be hacker came up with a solution - use the iPhone as a remote. And wouldn't you know it, the son of a b*tch did it!. He even posted a video demonstrating his creation.

You can read more about his exploits and download the script, which he is making available for free.

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What are you doing, Dave?

I think we should talk this over before you do something rash.

Why don't you take a stress pill and we can sit down and talk about it.

Dave?

You can begin popping corks off Champaign bottles and dance through the streets in your underpants. This is the moment that many folks have waited for.

In case you've been living under a rock this morning the internet is aflutter with news that iPhone has now finally unlocked, using an $80 tool called Turbo SIM card.

The feat is said to be 100% effective, meaning that it unlocks all of iPhones features and functions, allowing users to make and receive calls, SMS, access GPRS readio (data), browse the web, send email, download porn, over any GSM network. Viola!

ReadSource

Some clever Modders have found a novel approach to creating a working two-way video conferencing solution into iPhone. With a little IP voodoo and huckleberry mirror, twin brothers Glen and Ken Aspeslagh found a way to successfully pull off a live video conference, over the web, by streaming compressed video to a special server which then streams the video to a recipient iPhone.

You can read more about this bit of hackery after the jump. I'm giving these guys my coveted "I want to have your children" award for sheer brilliance.

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What better way to improve the aesthetics of the worlds most elegant mobile phone than paying someone $150 to paint it green. Yep, that's what I'd do.

Dr. Macenstein shows off his newly pimped out iPhone, painted green with envy, courtesy of ColorWare. This service has been around for quite some time, and has become fairly popular with modders. For a few hundred bucks, ColorWare will paint just about anything but children and small pets.

You can see more photos of the good doctor's customized iPhone after the jump. Visit ColorWare if this sort of thing interests you. Then check yourself into the nearest mental health facility.

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