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Comments: 166 +- Mobile: iPhone Jailbreaking Still Going Strong on Monday April 13 2009, @02:17PM
Posted
by
samzenpus
on Monday April 13 2009, @02:17PM
from the don't-touch-the-apples dept.
from the don't-touch-the-apples dept.
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snydeq writes "Despite the productivity promises of Apple's forthcoming 3.0 firmware update, jailbreaking should continue to push the iPhone's productivity envelope, as users increasingly demand the Holy Grail of smartphone power use: applications that run in the background, InfoWorld reports. Copy and paste, video recording and streaming, Internet tethering, and content search are just a few of the features over which iPhone users have sought to jailbreak their devices — a practice Apple itself has done little to crack down on. Jailbreak apps circumvent hardware and software restrictions that Apple says ensure a consistent, responsive user interface and optimal battery endurance. In particular, jailbroken phones can run apps in the background, a capability Apple reserves for its own apps but prohibits in third-party programs. Jay Freeman, creator of the Cydia iPhone installer and Cydia Store, however, believes a free-market approach is the best way to satisfy power users' demands for features without compromising the performance of their iPhones. And given Apple's App Store overcrowding, it seems likely that jailbroken phones and app venues like Cydia Store will continue to be popular with iPhone customers and developers, even after the 3.0 firmware ships."
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Other 'nothing changed lately' news (Score:2, Insightful)
Google still a good option for search.
Vista sales not picking up much.
ipod is a popular choice of mp3 player.
In surprise development, dog doesn't bite man.
Jailbreaking will continue (Score:5, Insightful)
Not to mention... (Score:4, Informative)
You have to first jailbreak the phone if you want to unlock it. But I recently switched to Google Android so I don't have to deal with this. It's a less nice experience, but I imagine a lot of people who are willing to go through the trouble of jailbreaking a phone are also willing to put up with the less polished UI.
Re:Not to mention... (Score:4, Insightful)
Why? When you can just jailbreak and have the polished UI?
Parent
Re:Not to mention... (Score:4, Insightful)
Parent
Re:Not to mention... (Score:5, Informative)
All your purchased apps (and free apps from the Apple store) still work just fine. The UI is still the same (if you want it to be the same). Just two new icons (to let you download non-Applestore apps).
I'm not sure what you mean by "go through all the trouble of jailbreaking"
Parent
Re:Not to mention... (Score:5, Insightful)
Yes, cut and paste and one or two other things are sorely missed, but honestly all these other features people are asking for just make me worried if the future versions will have the clean and beautiful interface like the last one. "Power users", while the most vocal, tend to be a small part of the market. Hope Apple keep their head and not trip over themselves trying to please that segment of the market and make the product cluttered, ugly and crash prone like all the other "smart" phones out there.
Parent
Must not be a programmer (Score:5, Insightful)
You have to first jailbreak the phone if you want to unlock it. But I recently switched to Google Android so I don't have to deal with this. It's a less nice experience, but I imagine a lot of people who are willing to go through the trouble of jailbreaking a phone are also willing to put up with the less polished UI.
Given that Jailbreaking is essentially an O(1) operation over the life of the device, and day to day use is O(n), I'll take the better UI thanks!!
On Android you also still have to deal with hunting down apps not approved for the store, just like looking at Cydia apps on the iPhone...
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Goatse.
infoworld needs to lose the ego (Score:5, Funny)
Seriously? The two items that comprise the Holy Grail of smartphone power use are background apps and Infoworld reports?
Just look at the source of the TFA -- it's Infoworld themselves! Methinks they have a slightly overdeveloped sense of self-worth.
Also, I'm not sure why I would need to jailbreak my iPhone to access Infoworld, they must have some serious issues in their web design department.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Use of "and" with a comma is preferable for the last item of a list whose elements are separated by commas.
This is only true when you are using the Oxford rules (adopted by most of the USA). In other areas, the last comma is omitted.
And speaking of precision grammar, how about the use of "sortof"?
Maybe he's a C programmer?
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
"Funny" = no karma boost
"Insightful" = karma boost
Common courtesy dictates that funny people be rewarded (or made to wear funny shoes).
Re:infoworld needs to lose the ego (Score:4, Funny)
I want a "-1 Whoosh" moderation option.
Or perhaps it should be +1 so posts like yours are put on display for everyone to laugh at...
Parent
Poor, poor dears. (Score:5, Funny)
Other Than "War-Driving"... (Score:2, Offtopic)
...is there a more stupid faux-tech-neo-nerd-speak expression than "Jailbroken?"
Re:Other Than "War-Driving"... (Score:5, Funny)
How about "faux-tech-neo-nerd-speak"?
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Other Than "War-Driving"... (Score:4, Informative)
Parent
isn't it against the EULA? (Score:4, Informative)
i swear there was a story last month how Apple had it in the newest SDK EULA that you can't make jailbroken apps with it. Apple gave up a technical solution and just told people that if you want to write jailbroken apps then do it from scratch and don't use their code
3rd party in background means malware... (Score:4, Interesting)
Apple's prohibition on 3rd party software running in background is probably the best line of defense against spyware infecting the average idiot/user's phone. Once you let un-vetted apps run in the background, you create the opportunity for keyloggers, spam software and all the other fun stuff that runs on PCs to infect the iPhone without the user even being aware. Plus you end up going down the path of requiring anti-virus and security software to run on the phone all the time, reducing the battery life. What's basically going on is that no one is willing to pay the costs that would be required to develop a "trusted application" framework where Apple could test and approve 3rd party apps. Plus, there's always the paranoia factor that someone's great idea would get stolen as part of the approval process.
But given the state of windoze computing these days, I'd say Apple's approach has to be viewed more as a security feature than an anti-competitive fair trade violation.
Re:3rd party in background means malware... (Score:5, Insightful)
Yes, that's right. You are being restricted for your own good!
It must be nice to be so naive...
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:3rd party in background means malware... (Score:5, Insightful)
Windows Mobile devices have had applications running in the background for ages and there have not been outbreaks of infections preventing people from dialing 911. Android phones are also very open and lack such absurd restrictions.
Enough with the strawmen arguements and just come to grips with the fact that sometimes Apple puts their business interests before the consumer.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
GIven the nascent field that is mobile computing
The field is "nascent" only in minds of Apple fanbois, who believe that iPhone is the first smartphone evar. Meanwhile, Symbian - which also allows for full multitasking - is still 2/3 of the whole market, and unit sales are measured in millions; and that has been going on for several years now. Ditto for Windows Mobile. We are long past the stage where any theoretical security problem with background applications (and other notions that are generally assumed to be obvious anywhere but on iPhone) would have
Re:3rd party in background means malware... (Score:5, Informative)
if your PC is infected no one cares. if your cell phone gets infected by a virus and you can't call 911 in an emergency than Apple is going to pay out a lot of money in a lawsuit.
I highly doubt that. Someone might try to sue, but I guarantee that every cell contract you sign has some clause saying they don't guarantee 24/7 access, access may be interrupted unexpectedly for any reason, etc. Otherwise people would be suing just for a regular network outage.
Parent
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The phone, ipod, email and Safari apps that run in the background are Apple apps. Apple can make background apps, no one else.
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then explain how the music player runs in the background while you surf the net and use other apps,
From the GP
Once you let un-vetted apps run in the background,
From the OP
jailbroken phones can run apps in the background, a capability Apple reserves for its own apps but prohibits in third-party programs.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Whenever you get into that situation, someone else vetting the apps, you no longer own the device. They own it and you just rent it.
Once they decide not to bother with the app store or with vetting new apps you are stuck with a dead device. If jobs decides tomorrow that the iphone is too big and only the new iphone-nano will be sold and as such the appstore for the now old device is to be closed, you are boned. You will be holding a $200 paperweight.
Do you really want to pay for a device you don't own? Do y
Re: (Score:2)
Apple is not about third patry developers, if they were you could write and sell a non webkit browser for the thing.
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
Windows Mobile phones have no restrictions on the software you can run, and as far as I know, there haven't been any viruses or security issues. Even if there HAVE been, they have to be obscure, and limited to people who installed specific, weird applications.
Windows Mobile phones are SO much better than an iPhone for *actually doing stuff* that it isn't even funny. There are REAL applications for Windows Mobile phones, because anyone can make an app. The only thing the iPhone has going for it is, well, I d
Re: (Score:2)
I'd say Apple's approach has to be viewed more as a security feature than an anti-competitive fair trade violation.
Why? Particularly, why more?
As far as I can tell, Apple's concern for your security are solely your interpretation.
It might be a usability decision made by Apple. It is undeniably simpler and easier to understand when you can't have applications running in the background.
Given Apple's history, I would think that "We want to provide fewer but more usable features" is the simplest explanation for this particular design choice.
ISTR Apple's offering being the first to die in pwn2own. It's a stretch to take t
Re:3rd party in background means malware... (Score:5, Interesting)
If this is a significant issue, I would have expected to see a bigger problem on Android phones by now. I had a G1 for 30 days, and then switched to the iPhone as the G1 in November was too flaky for me, but the one thing I absolutely hate is not being able to put a program I write or download from a trusted source onto my phone. I'll probably go back to Android in another 1 1/2 years and by then, hopefully the hardware will be better. Or maybe Apple will remove this annoying restriction at some point before then and they might keep me. My iPhone is a bit flaky too, they need better hardware also - I've reinstalled twice when it wouldn't turn on. I'm a bit hesitant to jailbreak and potentially be causing myself more headaches.
Dara
The one app I'm willing to pay for is at least out for the iPhone (in 4 flavors) and is unavailable for the G1 - the ability to view topographic USGS maps offline with your position (search for topographic on the app store). So there is something to be said for being on the more popular platform. I sure hope Android gets more popular - I wish I could have helped, but that first phone was driving me crazy.
Parent
The iPhone is worthless unjailbroken (Score:2, Interesting)
I have one. I'll stick with OS 2.1.2 until 3.x is jailbroken. Between netatalk, the ssh server/client, mobile terminal, and functional teathering, there's absolutely no way I'd go back to a closed and locked OS on that phone. If AT&T and Apple don't like it, cancel my account.
I'm of the opinion now that these companies have got too uppity. I've canceled cable television and Internet service, then put an antenna on my roof. I've canceled my land line. If AT&T wants my iPhone - they can have it.
Live w
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Go to an AT&T store and tell them you're tethering, they'll be happy to cancel your account for you I'm sure.
That'll surely show them how much of a bad ass you are.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Go to an AT&T store and tell them you're tethering, they'll be happy to cancel your account for you I'm sure.
I'm not so sure about that. An iPhone is (in Netherland at least) a lot cheaper than an iPod Touch exactly because it comes with a cell phone subscription. The subscription is where they make the real money. If the same is true in the US, then I really doubt AT&T is just going to cancel that subscription. They're more likely to severely restrict your bandwidth while still charging the same amount of money, or something like that.
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
I've canceled cable television and Internet service
Cable television may not be terribly important, but I don't know how you can "live better" without internet service. Either way, you're posting here, aren't you?
Functionality! (Score:5, Interesting)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
The reason I jailbreak is because my favorite app will NEVER be approved for the App Store. MxTube - lets you download YouTube videos for watching later. Do it over WiFi, 2G (ouch), or 3G. Load up your phone with YouTube videos and watch them at your convenience.
As for background apps, Apple's case is fairly strong. Developers suck. Writing a battery-friendly app is extremely difficult. Even something as simple as polling for data every hour has a huge impact on battery life. And most developers will pick a
It's all about the awesome (Score:5, Interesting)
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Heh. Android users can get those without having to hack anything.
You're telling me you can't change the text ringtone on a stock iPhone? Seriously?
Cracking your Crack-phone is good for business (Score:2)
"Experience" (Score:2)
Anything that justifies itself on the basis of "the user's experience" should be viewed appropriately - as a load of BS.
Apple contends that they want us to have a smooth, consistent user "experience".
Isn't that MY DECISION? If I choose to want concurrent apps (which I don't, the device doesn't have enough power to make it useful), who is the vendor to dictate my "experience"?
The reality is that they want their massive cut of the app store revenue, and alternate app stores cut their revenue stream out of the
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Anything that justifies itself on the basis of "the user's experience" should be viewed appropriately - as a load of BS. Apple contends that they want us to have a smooth, consistent user "experience". Isn't that MY DECISION?
Yeah, it is. So... what's the problem? If you want to make the decision to customize your user experience, go ahead and jailbreak. Otherwise, the user experience Apple provides is good enough for most people.
Seriously, Apple's not going to haul you off to jail any more than will KDE for adapting their desktop software to fit your needs. Nobody is saying you have to do it Apple's way, but Apple is under no obligation to provide support to you if you try to make their software work in ways it's not yet
Fundamental "Grail" faulty (Score:3, Insightful)
The iPhone lacks background Applications - however, a percentage of the cases for making use of background processing are addressed by the notification service (which is finally going in with 3.0).
Once you eliminate the entire class of polling apps, are the remaining set truly the "holy grail" of iPhone use? I don't think so.
That said, Jailbreaking will thrive because there will always be stuff you can do with Jailbreaking you cannot otherwise, if nothing else just the opportunity for raw experimentation.... I seem to recall there has been some proof that Apple looks over these jailbroken apps, I'm sure they draw ideas from them and can even use them as a measure of just what areas people most want to see a deeper API exposed. So I don't think Apple will ever get serious about stopping this, not to mention they have been intelligent enough to know to spend only the most minimal time developing protection mechanisms that will be hacked anyway (which is all of them).
3 Reasons I still keep my Touch Jailbroken (Score:4, Insightful)
2. Ad Block. Either by the shareware Adblock or a hosts file.
3. Emulators. The GBA emulator has gotten quite good.
What for whom? (Score:4, Insightful)
The trouble is that as soon as you have arbitrary apps deciding to run in the background, you have to look *very* closely what they do. Because if you don't, these apps will suck at your battery until it is empty.
And most normal users most certainly don't want to have to do that. At least with the appstore apps you can rely on them to stop doing anything as soon as you return to the home screen or click the phone "off". And Apple has done a really good job when it comes to power management. You may easily overlook this fact on an iPhone, but if you look at the iPod touch this thing runs (sleeps) for weeks if you press the off button. Having apps running in the background and then return to an empty battery two hours (or one day) later surely is *not* in the interest of the users. Constantly having to check for (and kill) running apps in some task-manager is no solution either.
Say what you will about Apple, but power management is one thing they are very serious about, not only with the iPhone. The new MacBook is able to even put most netbooks to shame when it comes to minimum power draw and this is not due to magic but just to lots of hard work and smart hard- and software. I've seen my MacBook drawing about 6 watts from the battery with WiFi on, display on 50% and writing things. This is outright impressive, they must have some really clever people working on that while most other hardware vendors just don't care and either stuff fat batteries into their machines or give you two hours of battery life. Limitations like "no background apps on the iPhone" are there for a good reason, so be careful what you wish for.
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Unless their app is inefficient in its use of CPU power or RAM, you're almost certainly wrong about that. The iPod functionality of an iPhone can and does run in the background. Just start the music playing, then run the app. You can even control the iPod functionality while running other apps by clicking the headphone control once to pause, twice to skip to the next song, or three times to skip back to the previous song.
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So you want to listen to music while you send text messages and talk on the phone? That sounds like a car accident waiting to happen.