Last week, I upgrade the third party tools in my iPod Touch. Categories is one of the software to re-organize iPod Touch software into simpler interface. It warned me not to change my iPod password by using passwd. I did not change it during that time. But once I re-organize my icons using Categories, my iPod crashed! Whole spring board hung and can do nothing even I tried to reset.

Oh no…all my songs, videos, photos, contacts are gone! But after calm down for a while, I decide to upgrade my iPod firmware to the latest 1.1.3. It took me hours to download the 165MB firmware, due to slow internet connection on that day. Once download finish, I restart my iPod to recovery mode and update it to 1.1.3 firmware using iTunes. It work perfect! All data still there without losing any data.

Now, I take the opportunity to backup my songs, videos, etc into my computer. Huh..sweating. When I sync my contacts for the first time, it ask me whether to replace or merge the contacts with outlook. My first respond was replace the outlook contacts. Once I have clicked that “replace” button, it make me cry More than 20 over contacts has been replace by my empty outlook contacts! Means it replace the other way round. It was so terrible experience. Now I lost all my important contacts I keyed in manually. So, do not forget to backup your contacts too by using “merge” option.

After all, I decided to wipe out my iPod Touch and reinstall from sketch. Since the latest firmware 1.1.3 has been hacked, I followed the most complete instructions by Rupert Gee. It is not as easy as 1.1.1 firmware jailbreak hacking methods. This whole process include hacking from firmware 1.1.1 to firmware 1.1.3. It was so long processes and steps but it is worth my time.

Why I update and hack iPod Touch 1.1.3?

As you see from the screenshot, the latest firmware engadget with latest Gee Theme is so nice. It looks professional and stylist. Of course firmware 1.1.3 fix those bugs in old version. And the most important thing is the wiggle and customizable spring board features.

With firmware 1.1.3, now I can rearrange my icons and dock icons with easy tap. Just tap the icon and hold finger, when the icons start wiggle drag the icon to desired location (swap position with others icon) or even create another page by drag it far to the edge. I like the wiggle feature, its so cool like dancing icons!

Have you hack your iPod Touch to firmware 1.1.3?

Tips: To make your hacking process smoother, download the 3 firmware (total of 490MB) before proceed.

Update on 10/3/08:

Firmware version 1.1.1 – Download

Firmware version 1.1.2 – Download

Firmware version 1.1.3 – Download