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."

Comments

Jailbreaking will continue

[WatcherWatching]

Yes, and why should it not? It is similar to the how users run Mac OS on non-apple computers. If users want to do something, they should be allowed too! Consistency of user interface is no excuse, because it wouldn't even affect users with non-jailbroke phones. Apple just likes to control what users see and do, and jailbreaking is just evidence that some people don't like being told what to do!

infoworld needs to lose the ego

[Red Flayer]

"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.

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.

Poor, poor dears.

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

They know not what they do, tinkering with the perfection of Jobs' vision. Apple will have to work even harder to cryptographically protect them from evil...

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.

Re:Not to mention...

[Anonymous Coward]

jailbreaking (in windows) requires about 5 clicks from an installshield type application. That's it. Jailbroken, done.

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"

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...

[Sir_Lewk]

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.

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

[langelgjm]

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.