iPhone Jailbreaking Still Going Strong

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."

3rd party in background means malware...

[bwcbwc]

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.

The iPhone is worthless unjailbroken

[Anonymous Coward]

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 without and you'll live better. Or, at least you'll live without a corporate cock pumping your unlubricated ass.

Re:3rd party in background means malware...

[realmolo]

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 don't know what it has going for it. Pretty icons?

Functionality!

[registered_after_8_y]

The reason i have a jailbroken iPhone (legally unlocked, bought it in Italy) is the way the App Store apps are crippled. The apps from cydia have much better functions in many cases, as a simple example the flashlight app, the one from cydia can override the screen brightness settings, which makes it actually work, whereas the official doesn't. Also apps like intelliscreen and others like it make it clear that I will still jailbreak my phone at 3.0.

It's all about the awesome

[richtaur]

iPhone is great, but a jailbroken iPhone is AWESOME! Oldschool emulators (Genesis, Nintendo), bash terminal, custom text ringtones, scp/ssh ... it's a fantastic device by itself, but without restrictions it's unbelievably good.

Re:3rd party in background means malware...

[dara]

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.

Re:The iPhone is worthless unjailbroken

[averner]

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?