As the dust settles from the iPhone release, two big questions are still on many minds: can the iPhone be unlocked, and if so, how? There are still several known unknowns on this, and very likely some unknown unknowns, but here’s what’s known.

While not a true, full unlocking, Gizmodo has some unconfirmed (we must stress this point) instructions on how to activate an iPhone with no service. What this means is that you can use the iPhone’s wifi and media capabilities, but not anything that requires cellular service. This is, of course, not what most people are looking for, but if you just want to stick it to AT&T (not an unworthy goal) and use your iPhone as a tiny tablet, there you go.

Another site getting a lot of attention is iPhoneUnlocking. The site claims to have unlocked thousands of iPhones already (as of this writing, the number stands at 4231 and is going up very rapidly), yet there are seemingly no reports of anyone successfully unlocking their iPhone, via this service or otherwise. In fact, one customer of the site posted a photo documenting how his iPhone was left still locked. Now, the site protects itself by saying that it only works with a 75-percent of iPhones, so they can always point to such reports as being part of the 25-percent minority, but it is quite suspicious that there aren’t some positive accounts. iPhoneUnlocking also sent out this email yesterday:

Thank you for your interest in iPhoneUnlocking.com

We have had a rather busy day with over 130,000 requests for help
unlocking Apple iPhones.

Unfortunately it isn’t all good news, we have some small problems.

The good news is, we are able to generate unlock codes that will
allow some functionality on the handset. However, you will not be
able to use luxury features e.g. Visual voicemail, no other network
supports these features.

The bad news is, we are having a few issues with iTunes. iTunes
seems to be kicking up a bit of a fuss when syncing with the
handset. This issue is being resolved by applying a small patch to
your iTunes software that will prevent it running certain routines
when syncing with the handset.

We are beta testing these codes and software with a small percentage
(~2%) of users.

We are working as hard and as fast as we can to be able to offer this
service to you with a full guarantee.

You should hear from us soon.

Now, we already knew that Visual Voicemail wouldn’t work on non-AT&T networks, but to trust an unlocking website to write a software update to iTunes just makes the whole operation seem even riskier. We would be happy to be proven wrong, so if you have had success with iPhoneUnlocking, please, leave a comment or email us at editor (at) pbzone.com, but for now, we can’t recommend taking a chance with them.

Where are we left, then? Waiting. It was always unlikely that there would be immediate iPhone unlocking, and it has only been a couple days. One way or another, someone will find a way to unlock the iPhone, it will just take time. We recommend looking at any unlocking services or guides with a skeptical eye until it becomes clear how to unlock the iPhone, though. Don’t risk your credit card number or your iPhone with a below-board operation.

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Gizmodo has some troubling reports of iPhone buyers being forced into getting a few accessories if they wanted an iPhone. Some stores even went to such lengths as to package accessories with the iPhone stock so that the accessories couldn’t be easily returned.

Most of this behavior will probably subside as the initial demand is sated, but it’s certainly an auspicious start to the Apple and AT&T relationship.

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Protective skin-makers Applepeelz has expanded their mobile phone protection lineup with their new iPhone peelz. The protective skin for the iPhone covers both front and back with a transparent film to protect against scratches, but won’t interfere with the touch screen functionality, which is quite a feat. They can even be removed without leaving a residue and are self-healing (that is, minor scratches to the skin will dissipate naturally via the magic of Middle Earth. Or maybe just chemistry.).

The iPhone peelz will be shipping in early July for $13.95.

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We aren’t sure how new an offering this is, but it’s new to us and bears mentioning. Wrappers, maker of sleeves for iPods, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros, has an Africa Collection with brightly-colored canvas bags for all manner of MacBook and MacBook Pro. When you purchase one of the sleeves–which range in price from 17.99 GBP to 25.99 GBP–a donation will be made of 20-percent of the profit. The donations go to charity Teach a Man to Fish, which Wrappers states helps young women in Kenya learn business and sustainable agricultural skills.

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Apple has announced the first ten official iPhone accessories. These accessories all feature the official ‘Works with iPhone’ seal, similar to that found on sanctioned iPod accessories. It should be mentioned that Apple has this note on the accessories page:

Many iPod accessories that use the 30-pin connector — such as chargers and speakers — may also be compatible with iPhone, even though they haven’t been certified as “Works with iPhone.”

That sounds like good news for everyone not wanting to repurchase everything they bought for their iPod.

iPhone Bluetooth Headset ($129): 5.5 hours of talk time, 72 hours of standby, includes the iPhone Dual Dock and Bluetooth Travel Cable.
Apple USB Power Adapter ($29): Includes Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable and is suitable for both the iPhone and iPod.
iPhone Dock ($49): Has USB port for syncing and charging and audio line out. Includes Apple USB Power Adapter and Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable.
Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable ($19): USB 2.0 cable for connecting directly to a computer, Dock, or USB Power Adapter.
iPhone Dual Dock ($49): Like the iPhone Dock, but charges both the iPhone and the iPhone Bluetooth Headset. Includes the USB Power Adapter.
iPhone Universal Dock Adapter 3-pack ($9): Adapters that allow your iPod Dock–or other products that use the Universal Dock system–to connect to the iPhone.
iPhone Stereo Headset ($29): Similar to the iPod stereo headphones, but with a microphone with windscreen. The headset can also control basic music playback and answer and end calls.
iPhone Bluetooth Travel Cable ($29): Charges your Bluetooth Headset while charging or syncing your iPhone.
AirPort Extreme Base Station ($179): Same ol’, same ol’.
iPhone TTY Adapter ($19): Lets the iPhone use standard TTY devices.

This is, doubtless, only the beginning of a deluge of iPhone accessories. Stay tuned.

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Perhaps in response to some early reviews calling into question the simplicity of the iPhone, Apple has released a video helping iPhone users accomplish some of the basics, titling the tutorial Finger Tips (after knocking the name of the MacBook Pro Software Update, we feel we should offer a tip of the cap for that pun). Hosted by the same gentleman that handled the iPhone tour video, the five minute video covers things like silencing the ringer (bless you, Apple), setting your Mail preferences, and magnifying text. Perhaps every iPhone should come with this tutorial pre-installed and set to auto-play?

For those who don’t want to alert their bosses to what they’re doing, AppleInsider has come through with a clutch transcription of the video.

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There are no details yet, but Leftlane News is reporting that BMW is set to announce iPhone integration in their US models (no word yet on whether Canada will also get this feature). BMW will be the first automaker to announce iPhone integration, but we’re guessing not the last. We’ll have full details once BMW actually makes their announcement.

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As Apple puts all the pieces together for the mind-blowing, life-changing, reality-altering event that is the iPhone release, one key application has been updated to maximize your iPhoning. The iTunes 7.3 update (also available via Software Update at 34MB), comes with this description of its additions:

With iTunes 7.3, you can now activate iPhone service and sync it with your music, TV shows, movies and more. Also, you can now wirelessly share and enjoy your favorite digital photos from any computer in your home with Apple TV.

We’re sure the ringtone functionality will be added in 7.3.1, right, Apple?

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On a day devoted to the iPhone (well, starting at 6 PM, at least), Apple has seen fit to offer up the whimsically-named MacBook Pro Software Update 1.0. No specifics on what the update actually does, aside from ‘important bug fixes,’ but that’s what we love about Apple: they leave a little something to the imagination.

If you notice your Santa Rosa-based MacBook Pro running cooler, exhibiting different fan behavior, etc. after applying the update, we’d love to hear from you. Just email us at editor (at) pbzone.com, or leave a comment below, and we’ll see what’s doing.

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Site sponsor iFixit is planning on committing sacrilege: they’ll be taking apart an iPhone immediately following its release tomorrow at 6 PM. Here’s an excerpt from their announcement:

iFixit will be live blogging the disassembly of an iPhone immediately after its release tomorrow, June 29. We will stream live images and descriptions of the disassembly as we go. Our technicians will also be analyzing the internals and posting component descriptions and design analysis.

We’re excited to see what they find, and the iFixit guides are invaluable if you need to do work on your Mac (or other Apple product). Stay tuned to the iFixit iPhone guide page tomorrow evening to see the iPhone’s internals.

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If you’ve been wondering how the iPhone engineers managed to eke out some extra hours of battery life between Macworld San Francisco and now, Slate has a story for the battery geek in all of us (there is a battery geek in all of us, right?).

There wasn’t any silver bullet in this case, according to the author, but a combination of Apple selecting energy-efficient component chips from the manufacturers they’re working with, using Mac OS X’s power management to turn off components not being used, and the recently-announced glass screen (which requires less backlighting to produce a bright display).

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