Latest Sn0wbreeze Update Allows iOS 5 Beta Installs Without Dev Account, Removes Expiration Timer.

Fancy a seat in the world of exclusive iOS 5 beta users but don’t have (or have a friend with) a developer account? There’s been a couple of workarounds so far. They’re not entirely seamless or easy. But the latest sn0wbreeze 2.8 update looks to make things a bit easier as the two biggest new features remove the UDID check to allow non-devs to install iOS beta as well as removing the timer that causes different betas to expire. In addition to all of that, sn0wbreeze of course jailbreaks your device too — though for now it’s tethered only.

Just about any and every iOS device (iPhone 3GS+, iPad 1, iPod Touch 3rd Gen+) are supported. All you’ll need is the latest sn0wbreeze 2.8 application and a copy of the iOS 5 beta ispw file of your choice.

[sn0wbreeze]

Android Enthusiasts Beware: T-Mobile G-Slate Android 3.1 Update Brings Locked Bootloader.

Well this isn’t fun — usually Android updates bring with them tidings of joy, new features, fresh paint and other generally good things. In the case of T-Mobile’s G-Slate tablet, however, it’s all business and no fun. The original state of the bootloader is unlocked. But the latest Android 3.1 update undoes that hacker friendly environment and trades it for a newly locked bootloader. As it stands now, anyone looking to keep their customizable setup will want to stay on Android 3.0 for the time being and wait for the Android root developers to get a sizable solution prepped and pushed out.

G-Slate owners: Thoughts?

AT&T Removing All But Unlimited Messaging Plans: Pay-Per-Message Or $20/$30 Text Plan Only Choice Come August 21st.

AT&T has repeatedly claimed that the T-Mobile take over will make the wireless landscape a bajillion times better. But if looking back through AT&T’s long, trouble past wasn’t enough to show you their statements are empty lies full of bullshit, let us highlight yet another prime example of AT&T’s utter disregard for customers — they’re killing off all messaging plans except the $20 unlimited individual and $30 unlimited family texting plans starting August 21st. If you don’t want to fork out the dough for the high-end (and now only end) texting plan you’ll have to cough up a per-message cost of $0.20 for SMS and $0.30 for MMS (picture messages).

Just remember, if the AT&T-Mobile merger goes through we’ll all be able to look forward to anti-consumer tactics just like this — except we won’t have any other (GSM) choices. Yes, folks. That’s the AT&T way…

Android News: Bionic To Support WiFi Printing. ASUS Transformer 2 To Be First Kal-El Tegra 3 (Quad-core) Tablet?

The afternoon is just getting started and we’ve already got two big Android stories to pour over — DROID Bionic WiFi printing and rumors of the ASUS Transformer 2 being the first quad-core tablet. But first thing’s first. You have to click your way inside…

Verizon Launching 10 New LTE Markets, Expanding 10 Others. Touts 50% National LTE Coverage.

Today Verizon Wireless announced 10 new LTE markets as well as several more receiving expanded coverage. But before we get to that, it’s important to highlight Verizon’s biggest claim — they are now officially covering 50% of U.S. residents with LTE! Soak that in for a minute… … … … alright, moving on. The list of new LTE markets (10 total) include: Tucson, Ariz.; Fort Collins, Colo.; Frederick, Md.; Worcester, Mass.; Albany, Ithaca, and Syracuse, N.Y.; Altoona and Johnstown, Pa.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Provo, Utah.

Expanded LTE coverage is coming to: Washington, D.C.; Tampa, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; Baltimore, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Lansing, Mich.; New York, N.Y.; Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; and Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah.

The big switch in the sky officially flips tomorrow. Let us know how your newfound speeds are!

Verizon Wireless Introduces $20 300 MB Data Plan.

Live in Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia and find Verizon’s current data plan options a bit stifling? If you’re absolutely sure you can live within 300 MBs each month, Verizon has a new deal right up your alley. Beginning tomorrow, August 18th and running through the end September (30th to be exact) is a new $20/300 MB data plan. The good thing is that it’s cheap. The bad part, however, is that overages will cost you another $20 for an additional 300 MB of data. At that rate you might as well upgrade to the higher end multi-GB tiers. But hey, options are options.

AndroidGuys

Windows 8 Setup Screen Leaked. Tells Us Nothing New.

A screenshot claimed to be a setup page within Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 developer build 8064 has leaked. While the screen itself doesn’t reveal much of anything, the source of the article, PCBeta, houses a list of new changes and tweaks in the latest build. It’s also been noted that DLL hacks to enable locked features are blocked as are any means of simply copying installs thanks to the use of new product keys.

• A new wallpaper (5th generation)

• A new BSOD (2nd generation) (back to blue with a smiley : ( ) — nice

• A new bootscreen (2nd generation) (betta fish is gone)

• A new installprep and WinPE look. (5th generation)

• nternet Explorer 10 Developer Preview (pre release version) (with Internet Explorer 10 splashscreen)

• A new colored “Windows” splashscreen during installprep loading file.

• Immersive Remote Desktop (old)

• Immersive Control Panel (old)

• WinStore (old)

• Windows 7 wallpaper deleted

• New WiFi/Ethernet icons (old)

• New Touch Keyboard icon

• New genuine center (old)

• Windows DVD Maker gone

• Windows Media Center gone

• New User avatar

• New Advanced Security Setting tab (old)

Look for more Windows 8 news at next month’s BUILD conference with a public beta of Windows 8 launching at CES 2012.