Want iOS 4.2 on Your iPad? Get Your UDID Handy

By Tuan An Nguyen
published

At Apple's most recent conference, Steve Jobs announced that iOS 4.2 for the iPad would be arriving sometime in November. That's a long time to wait for many iPad owners.

In its current state, the iPad is rather gimped at iOS 3.x and while it's good, it could be so much better with all the features that were introduced with the iPhone 4. Multitasking, folders, etc., are all missing. And frankly, with its screen real-estate, the iPad would be great at multitasking.

If you want to try out iOS 4.2 however, you'll have to be signed up to the Developer Program at Apple and register your iPad's UDID number, which uniquely identifies your device, and allows you to install a beta firmware. Registration is required because iTunes will authenticate with Apple.

So what if you don't have a developer account? Not to worry, MacGeekBlog has launched a site, allowing you to register your iPad's UDID number with them. It may take up to 24 hours for registration to go through with Apple, but once it's completed, you'll be able to install 4.2 on your iPad. We're told however, that the process actually only takes several short hours on average.

The registration is free, but signing your UDID to MacGeekBlog's dev account requires $6, which is significantly cheaper than paying the $99 fee to enter the developer program yourself with Apple.

Instructions are on the site. Check it out

Tuan An Nguyen
26 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bhamx2
    In reality is November really that long a wait .....
    Reply
  • nforce4max
    Dude a fee just to have a dev account what a ripoff. FanBoy Porn.
    Reply
  • dan117
    99$ for the closed beta vs 0$ for Android open source code...
    Reply
  • warezme
    to apple folks.., how do you like being held by the nads by Apple?
    Reply
  • lp231
    If another company charges a microscopic fee of 5 cents to enter their dev team. Those people will start crying and create a protest right at their HQ with pitch forks and torches. But if Apple charges $99 or even $10,000 to enter this "exclusive" club they will pony up and say it's "reasonable".
    Reply
  • Freakykiwi
    For anyone looking at doing this - you will need a current IOS development environment in place to install the beta firmware onto your device which, this includes the latest version of OSX and Xcode installed onto a Mac.
    Reply
  • eklipz330
    smh even my cousin in law has one... about to disown him
    Reply
  • theoutbound
    This is absurd. Both the limitations of the beta and charging for developer accounts. Developing for any hardware should be free of charge, whether it's a PC or an embedded device. A lot of money can be made from app sales alone. There is no need in screwing developers out of the ability to easily write software by charging a relatively small amount of money compared to what they will make when the app is released. Kudos to MacGeekBlog for at least limiting the amount so anyone can try out the new iOS without having to fork over $100.
    Reply
  • kelemvor4
    warezmeto apple folks.., how do you like being held by the nads by Apple?I'm sure they consider it a privilege and honor.
    Reply
  • dEAne
    What about privacy, I cannot opt for that.
    Reply