The unofficial SDK that’s been in use up to now is perfectly fine for unlocking iPhones — the challenge is in finding exploits and creating the actual unlocks, not in distributing and applying them.

The official SDK is great for “rich” applications like games and is much better integrated into iPhone OS, but is VERY restricted in interacting directly with hardware — apps aren’t even allowed to communicate through the dock connector, let alone reprogram the phone’s baseband!

Not to mention that Apple will be reviewing each submission to the App Store before it goes live, and Steve Jobs confirmed with press that unlocking apps won’t be let in.

While we can’t recommend violating any license or carrier agreements here at The iLife, let me just note that every iPhone out there at the moment is unlockable — the Dev Team’s efforts haven’t been hindered a bit by lack of an official SDK.

I have a very specific and unrelated question for you. I have been too busy with school to bother getting an iPhone working in Canada. But with the new SDK will my wait be over, will the developer be able to create applications that allow the iPhone to be used in Canada. To my understanding this SDK has essentially ‘Unlocked’ the iPhone. Is this correct? Again I myself have not had time to research.

Thanks,
Daniel Lodewyk