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For the last three weeks, iOS hacker pod2g has been tinkering away toward an untethered iOS 5 jailbreak and blogging about his progress. We've been keeping track as he succeeds in jailbreaking device after device, starting with a third generation iPod Touch. He's now freed almost every iOS 5-compatible device from the grips of Apple's restrictions. The only ones still underway are those with A5 processors like the iPhone 4S and iPad 2.

Aware of how eager the jailbreak community is to get their hands on an untethered solution, pod2g decided to share his work with the Chronic Dev team, who develops the greenpois0n jailbreak for public use. Early this morning, an untethered jailbreak for A4 processor-based iOS 5 devices was released via both greenpois0n and redsn0w, another popular tool for jailbreaking iOS.

Apple is now selling an unlocked version of the iPhone 4 in its online store, confirming earlier rumors which hinted this would be the case. The new iPhone 4 is the GSM model, which means here in the U.S., AT&T or T-Mobile only. The phone works outside the U.S. on any other supported GSM network offering micro-SIM cards for the iPhone 4.

Most importantly, the unlocked iPhone 4 is available contract-free.

When we talk about the benefits of using a non-relational database management system, often referred to as a NoSQL database, we sometimes lose track of what a traditional database is still good for (for some background on what a relational database is, see our guide to data terminology).

In a blog post at DBMS2, database veteran Curt Monash explains when it's still best to use a relational database.

After having analyzed over a million conversations taking place in social media channels, market research firm SocialNuggests says that consumers are currently more interested in talking about HTC devices than iPhones. According to the firm's March smartphone index, the iPhone 4 was ranked 10th, while the HTC Thunderbolt came in at number one. Two other HTC phones rounded out the top three.

While it's always interesting to parse the current social media chatter, does this report have any deeper implications other than being a reflection of the ephemeral and immediate nature of Twitter posts and Facebook updates?

Oh no, please tell us this isn't the start of another "antennagate," but it appears that Consumer Reports is again making headlines for throwing the iPhone 4 under the proverbial bus. "The Verizon iPhone 4 has a problem that could cause the phone to drop calls," notes the American product reviews publication. That's not a huge surprise, considering that the Verizon iPhone is pretty much the same device as AT&T's version, the only external difference being slightly displaced volume buttons and mute switch.

Have you ever wondered how many iPhone 4 owners have upgraded to iOS 4, the latest and greatest version of the iPhone mobile operating system? Although Apple doesn't release these sorts of numbers in detail, the way Google does with Android, a startup with a large user base, Bump, has released their own numbers, which provide good insight into the OS breakdown.

According to Bump CEO and co-founder David Lieb, 89.73% of its users are on iOS 4.x - that is, they run some version of the iOS 4.0 software.

With yesterday's launch of the iPhone on Verizon's network, ending the three-and-a-half year exclusivity deal Apple had with AT&T here in the U.S., there is a lot to get excited about. AT&T users who suffered from poor coverage and dropped calls - basically, phones which really couldn't even be used as phones - now have another option.

But there are questions, too. What is the difference between the carriers' networks? Has the antenna issue been fixed? Is there a charge for the new Wi-Fi hotspot feature? Will the iPhone come with preinstalled Verizon apps? And, of course: can I get it in white?

We'll attempt to answer some of those questions here.

This morning, live from New York City's Lincoln Center, Verizon Wireless is holding a special press event where it's expected the company will reveal, at long last, the Verizon iPhone. It's a move that will end AT&T's exclusivity over the wildly popular Apple smartphone once and for all.

The event is being hosted by Lowell McAdam, Verizon President and COO, and will likely see Apple CEO Steve Jobs grace the stage as well.

A few months ago, we wrote a list featuring some of the top jailbreak apps for the iPhone 4. And yet, things like a Wi-Fi hotspot and lockscreen customizations couldn't convince some of our readers. One person even commented: "I keep looking for a reason [to jailbreak], but it's just not worth the effort."

To you, sir, we say this: oh really? Perhaps this new, expanded list will change your mind. For regular jailbreakers, we think you'll find something new to love on the list below, too.

It's been nearly a year since Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey announced the launch of mobile payment system Square. In that time, the company has run into, hardware, software and security issues to keep it from taking off. According to an article in today's Financial Times, the service has one more gigantic hurdle to clear in its efforts to get moving and gain adoption - it doesn't work with the iPhone 4.

Update: As one commenter points out below, the problem is not universal and only affects some iPhone 4 users, not all.