Yesterday, the famed iPhone hacker George Hotz released his OS 3.1.2 jailbreak for Windows called ‘blackra1n.’ Blackra1n is a “30 second ALL device 3.1.2 jailbreak” for Windows, and will jailbreak any iPhone or iPod Touch device running on 3.1.2 firmware (the third generation iPod Touch jailbreak is tethered and will require you to rerun blackra1n every time you reboot).
Blackra1n is only the latest innovation from George Hotz, who recently turned twenty, and is perhaps most famous for being the first person to unlock the iPhone for use on other carrier networks. Hotz traded his unlocked 8GB iPhone to the founder of Certicell, in exchange for a tricked out Nissan 350Z and three more 8GB iPhones. Hotz landed some serious loot at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair; winning twenty grand for his Holodeck-inspired invention that allows people to see holograms from all angles. Two years earlier, at the same Intel Fair, Hotz was a finalist for his robot called the “Googler.”
Hotz works for Google now, working on the search engine’s street view. Hotz took a break from studying biotechnology at Rochester Institute of Technology to work for Google, where he was able to hack the magnetic strip on his student ID — allowing him access to any door on campus.
Hotz – more commonly known by his online handle “geohot” – had a brief stint working for the iPhone Dev-Team, playing a crucial role in the release of yellowsn0w. In yellowsn0w’s code, you will find: “thanks geohot for alt+stkprof 02.28 injection vector.” In July, however, Hotz created the website yiphone.org and on it threatened to release his own iPhone 2.0 firmware hack if the Dev-Team didn’t hurry up with yellowsn0w. In response to Hotz, the Dev-Team put up ihazsupper.com, which featured a satirical depiction of the Last Supper. In the Dev-Team’s drawing, Hotz is featured as the betraying Judas Iscariot and is wearing a Google shirt. He is also pictured blowing Steve Wozniak at the table. The other diners are still-esteemed members of the Dev-Team, with halos and robes.
On Sunday, October 11, 2009, George Hotz posted to his blog:
“As many of you already know, I am releasing a jailbreak called blackra1n. What many of you don’t know is that I’m releasing it tonight! At 4AM EST, I want to see the topic “#blackra1n” trending on twitter. Once I see it trending, I’ll put the download link up on blackra1n.com … Isn’t viral “marketing” cool 
”
It didn’t take long for Hotz’s blackra1n to become the number one trending topic on Twitter, and shortly after, blackra1n was officially released.
How to use blackra1n:
Note: Do not upgrade to OS 3.1.2 if you want to unlock your iPhone for use with other carriers. blackra1n is best for users who have upgraded to or have a device that came with OS 3.1 or 3.1.2, but it will NOT allow you to unlock your device. As of now, blackra1n is only available for Windows users. A Mac version is reportedly on the way.
Step 1: Read ALL the instructions first.
Step 2: Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed.
Step 3: Download the latest firmware 3.1.2.
Step 4: Download blackra1n for Windows here: http://blackra1n.com/ (Click the Microsoft icon) and reboot your PC.
Step 5: Connect your device to your computer and launch the blackra1n app.
Step 6: Click “make it ra1n” and let the application run. A picture of George Hotz will appear while your device is in recovery mode.
Step 7: Wait until your phone automatically reboots. A new blackra1n app icon will appear on the springboard. Click the blackra1n icon to launch blackra1n on your device.
Step 8: From here you will be able to install Cydia, Rock, or Icy on your device.
(Do not install more than one installer on your device)
Step 9: After your selected installer app appears on the springboard, you may uninstall blackra1n from your device by launching it and chosing “uninstall blackra1n.”
Step 10: Reboot your device.
Let us know how blackra1n worked for you in the comments section.
Worked really well for me with a couple of minor hiccups.
1)I had to copy a QT dll file out of the quicktime directory and into windows\system32
2) I had to run blackra1n in XP compatibility mode and “as an administrator”.
After that, worked as advertised and Cydia is happily locked and loaded.
While I appreciate the work George Hotz has done in creating the Jailbreaks, I don’t think its necessary to have to look at his ugly mug whenever I want to use his software.. To me it seems his ego is becoming a little to large. Does he think he’s some kind of IT geekwad celebrity or something?
“I want to see the topic “#blackra1n” trending on twitter. Once I see it trending, I’ll put the download link up on blackra1n.com …” to me is just his over-inflated ego surfacing again.
He probably expects that we will print out his picture, frame it and sit it on our bedroom dresser so we can gaze at him at all times.
The truth is, without his approach to things, and his contributions much of where the jailbreak community and unlocks have come from might not even exist. Does he have an overinflated ego, possibly, has he backed it up with commercial and underground success and contributions, definitely. The app is FREE and no one is required to use it by any means. If he wants to flaunt his nerdy face during a short 30 second install (only during the install do you see it) then why shouldn’t he? Maybe you can ask him to send out a non-branded version to those who donate, then you could use it “geohot-free” .. or you could go do the hard work yourself and put your own ugly mug up
I am from a time where humble hackers worked for themselves or a small team, and expected nothing in return for their hard work except a thank-you – and the personal satisfaction of successfully hacking/cracking a piece of software/hardware.
Like I said, I wholeheartedly appreciate the work George Hotz does – and never have I undermined his efforts. I am not asking you to remove the autographed photo you have of George Hotz on your bedside table, I am merely commenting on my annoyance of his ego-driven attitude.
why are you constantly after the picture. get a life. just use the software that came for free. if you are feeling so strongly stop using the software and prove it that you are a man of no ego. and get out of the form
stop keep coming back to feed your ego and answer to prove your ignorant point. if you don’t like pictures you probably never bought CDs you probably steal music to and download just songs no CD cover hence the reason of you ignorance
What is ROCK? I’ve never heard of it. I use both Cydia and Icy (goodbye installer), but ROCK?
RockYourPhone a jailbreak appstore for pay only jailbreak apps
http://rockyourphone.com/index.php
I was wondering whether Neuter (from Cydia) could be used to UN- lock a 2G iphone after JB with blackra1n???
You guys need to write the true story, blackra1n does jailbreak every device, in fact there is thousands of people who cannot jailbreak there iPhone 3g with blackra1n
I’m confused Kris, what part of the story do you think is being left out?
Kris is referring to the fact that, even with the 38million different tutorials out there, blackra1n is a piece of crap that can’t break an iPhone3g without a factory wiped restore, and XP running in an non user admin account. I’ve tested on XP, Vista (32 and 64), and 7(32&64). There isnt a way to break the 3g with blackra1n unless you do a factory restore WITHOUT a backup installed, and run in XP as a default administrator. Don’t believe the hype kiddies, this will be nothing but a headache for you!
I was wounding what would happen if i installed all three of the installers. And What is better cydia, Rock, or Icy
Installing all three installers will reportedly cause a lot of problems. Installing two at a time is also strongly cautioned against. You’ll have to pick one at a time.
i installed blackrain, and now i cant use any of my apps!!! i also dont know ow to uninstall it! someone help me!
To uninstall blackra1n just click the blackra1n app on your device. When you restore your device you should get your apps back.
i’m jumping hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
it’s working again
thanks
I unfortunately bought blackra1n for $ 29.99 USD.
Is that cheating on this page ?
http://iphoneunlocking.com/
Caution and careful for all other !