The Spirit Jailbreak tools' package for devices running Apple's iPhone OS 3.1.3 and iPad OS 3.2 versions - namely, the iPad, new iPhone 3GS, as well as iPod Touch 3G - was released by hackers over the weekend.

The Spirit Jailbreak software, which is compatible only with iPhones that have been activated and are already running an original version of recent firmware, allows users to do a number of things - like customize homescreen images; tether the devices to a PC, so as to use them as a modem; and install third-party apps from unapproved depositories, including RockYourPhone and Cydia.

Meanwhile, for devices that have been jailbroken by some other program, the Spirit authors suggest the devices be restored to 3.1.2; and the users should ensure that SHSH blobs have been backed up. However, since such software does not provide any support for unlocking carriers, users will have to stick with their existing mobile providers after running the software.

Since it is essentially an untethered jailbreak, Spirit allows devices to remain unlocked even after their reboot or plugging in to a computer. Available for both Mac OS X and Windows versions, the Spirit software exploits a flaw in a device's heavily locked-down "userland" portion.

ReadWriteWeb provides step-by-step instructions for the installtion of the Spirit Jailbreak software, which on almost all accounts, is virtually a seamless process.