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Toyota Yields To Apple Over Jailbroken Phones

Posted by Roblimo on from the typo-in-the-headline-is-embarassing dept.

zakkie writes "Toyota has caved to pressure from Apple and pulled custom themes for jailbroken iPhones. According to ModMyi.com founder Kyle Matthews, a representative of Toyota's ad agency said that Toyota gave in to Apple's request in order to 'maintain their good relationship with Apple', and amounted to a direct attack by Apple on jailbroken iPhones."

8 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. Could someone explain this? by Compaqt · · Score: 2, Interesting

    As a non-denizen of Steve J's reality distortion field, I have to ask:

    Is the control freakiness so great that you cannot even install custom themes on your own iPhone?

    You have to jailbreak the phone in order to install a custom theme?

    By the way, has anyone been able to get OpenMoko to run on an iPhone, Android (like HTC or whatever), or a Palm Pre?

    --
    I'm not a lawyer, but I play one on the Internet. Blog
    1. Re:Could someone explain this? by GNUALMAFUERTE · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Because Android is not GNU/Linux. It's just a broken Linux kernel filled with privative drivers and blobs, with an absolutely awful userspace, and the worst pile of steaming shit on top: Java.

      --
      WTF am I doing replying to an AC at 5 A.M on a Friday night?
    2. Re:Could someone explain this? by qubezz · · Score: 3, Interesting
      You have to jailbreak the phone in order to install a custom theme?

      The Scion theme not only changes colors and wallpaper, but also has different icons. User-created themes could potentially extend their changes to a very different UI experience. This could complicate customer support for Apple 'geniuses' and phone support, as customers can no longer be walked through a consistent menu chain.

      The other explanation is that nothing goes on an iPhone without Apple getting a cut of the profits. This would challenge the business model of a future iTunes theme store (remember, Apple is the company that would sell music you already purchased back to you as a ring tone)

  2. Good FUCKING Grief. by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Good grief! If you can't stand the Apple Walled Garden, don't sweat it, don't even THINK about it. MOVE ON to a platform that has the politics you like. Android? But CHRIST, is there anything more POINTLESS than Apple Hand-ringing?

    --
    If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
  3. Re:jobs and woz got their start doing blueboxes by perpenso · · Score: 2, Interesting

    jobs and woz got their start doing blueboxes ... now jobs tries to fucking put kids in jail for doing the same thing.

    Jobs is just trying to recreate the conditions that his generation's hackers evolved in. There has to be some risk involved. If there were no risk then jailbreaking is about as much of a hack as putting LEDs in a tower case and installing a transparent side panel.

    Then again, given how wild of an exaggeration your "put kids in jail" comment is jailbreaking does seems closer to case mod 'ing than bluebox'ing. The actual risk to some "kid" jailbreaking his phone is more like having to explain to dad/mom that he bricked his phone. :-)

  4. Re:jobs and woz got their start doing blueboxes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Read, at the EFF site, all the docs about Apple trying to get the Library of Congress to not allow jailbreaking. They wanted the full force of law brought down on those who jail broke. That includes prison time.

  5. As a long time apple fan..... by nurb432 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm beginning to lose faith and have actually started considering an Android phone ( but to find something that is comparable that isn't locked down as bad by the carrier. )

    I still have every aple device i ever owned, from my first apple ][, and I'm really getting tired of this. Its my "box", let me use it as i want. If you don't want to support/warrant me, fine..

    I'm also worried about the long term future of the computer side of things, if it will end up in a similar locked down state.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
  6. Re:You have to jailbreak an iPhone... by porl · · Score: 3, Interesting

    You should be grateful Steve lets you install apps

    not many people seem to remember that they originally didn't want you to do that. it was *after* the jailbroken phones started to become more popular with their ability to install 'custom' apps that apple opened it up.