To Jailbreak or not to Jailbreak? That is the question.
April 1, 2009 by Oscar Myre IV
As a geek and iPhone user I’ve done a fair amount of reading on how to “Jailbreak” an iPhone. Jailbreaking allows you to do more on the iPhone than currently allowed by Apple. “Jail” refers to file system limitations put in place by Apple on standard iPhones. These limitations restrict iPhone read and write access to just a small part of the media partition. You cannot access system files at all and you cannot use the disk directly as you would with an iPod with disk mode enabled.
“Jailbreaking” opens the entire iPhone file system for use. Once jailbroken, you can read and write to system files as well as media files. You’ll be able to use SFTP, AFP, and other standard file access protocols to read and write data. For example, you can use a client like Cyberduck to move data onto and off from the iPhone.
Jailbreaking also allows you to install third-party software
Here are a few highlights of a Jailbroken iPhone:
Record Video.
The iPhone is very capable of recording video. There are video applications such as Cycorder that record in Apple’s own quicktime format. But, Cycorder and all other video recording apps won’t work on iPhone without a jailbreak. This feature alone inspired me to learn about jailbreaking. I’d really like to have a basic video camera in my pocket.
YouTube Upload
With the ability to record you can also upload videos to YouTube and Facebook.
Camera Zoom
The iPhone camera software is very basic. The controls consist of a single button. I would appreciate the ability to zoom.
Share the Web
With iPhoneModem you can use your phone as a wireless router. This means you can connect your laptop to the internet wherever you get cell phone coverage. No more need to find a wifi signal.
Themes
The iPhone doesn’t allow for much customization. You can change the background, but your background image only shows up when your phone is locked. As soon as your unlock you see Apple stock background image. A good friend of mine, let’s call him Joe (to protect the innocent) has customized is phone with a very cool background image.
Winterboard gives you the ability to change the home screen (springboard) wallpaper, home screen icons & status bar.
Image brought to your by www.instructables.com
Hacking is cool.
It is rewarding to learn how to access things that aren’t available. A hacker is a person who is proficient with computers and/or programming to an elite level where they know all of the in’s and out’s of a system. There is NO illegality involved with being a hacker. Learn something new?
A cracker is a hacker who uses their proficiency for personal gains outside of the law. EX: stealing data, changing bank accounts, distributing viruses etc. Is it illegal to jailbreak an iPhone? I’ve heard compelling arguments by both sides.
There is a lot to gain from jailbreaking an iPhone. So have I jailbroken my iPhone? Nope, and I probably won’t. Here are a few reasons why:
1) Voiding the warranty.
- Both jailbreaking and unlocking will void your Apple warranty.
2) Might turn into a brick.
- When the iPhone software is updated the jailbreaking is removed. Apple has also said that some phones will “brick” after updating. Brick means the iPhone will quit functioning and be little more than a brick.
3) Trust
- If these crackers are willing to unlock some features of your phone, what else might they be willing to unlock? And will their intentions be honorable?
4) Bugs
- My iPhone is a reliable business tool. I count on it to stay connected. Adding unsupported software would likely add bugs to the phone.
5) Security
- A jailbroken phone can be logged via SSH. If it is not turned off there is a potential for others users on a wireless network to logon on as root. If they do, they have complete control over your iPhone.
My iPhone isn’t perfect and I would very much like to take advantage of the added features available. Call me a prude, but I’m willing to wait.
One More Thing
iPhone 3.0 is just around the corner. At the time of this writing Apple has announced a road map of new features for iPhone complete with the ability to Copy and Paste.
So, in closing, I’d like to hear from you iPhone owners. I see you’re playing with your phone around town, and smile as I hand my iPhone to my three year old who immediately asks if she could “go to the app store and download games”.
Does the idea of jailbreaking your phone create shivers of delight or fear?
eMail me or comment online. What do you think?
Happy Computing.
God Bless,
Oscar Myre IV
Oscar’s hobbies include cross breeding small electrical appliances with large power tools. KnowwhatImean!? Vern. 
Oscar is also owner and design president of omOriginals Design Studio in Longview. Need an easy-to-edit web site, graphic design or marketing – all with stellar local customer service? Call (360)575-9839 or online: omOriginals.com
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I like what I read about your whole jailbreak thing. I also wanted to unlock mine but thought. What happens if I do it wrong or their is an update that makes my phone into a brick…. I guess being in the I.T dept you alway think of doing things better then a regular user. I rather wait for the update. Don’t want to take a chance plus if I tell my wife that my phone is not working I won’t hear the end of it.
–Louie
Hello, I’m currently in the process of getting an ipod touch and I was wondering if I should get it jailbroken or not….this thing you said about the brick…would the same happen to a touch, or is that just something that happens to iphones?
The act of jail braking could brick the the iPod touch just like the iPhone.
~:-)
jailbroke and unlocked my iphone 3G, and NO problems. used blackra1n. however be careful of the stuff you download from Cydia. i downloaded something that caused the phone to drop coverage a few times a day, so i had to reload the phone using a downloaded firmware file… worked and still works like a charm. im getting ready to rejailbreak and unlock it because i plan on going to Tmobile. the whole issue is DO NOT update through iTunes; turn off autoupdate. though a note here: i used itunes just fine to sync music and apps and everything with it jailbroken.