Monday, December 28, 2009

Jailbreaking... to be or not to be?

Jailbreaking allows your iPhone or iTouch to install and use a wide variety of programs unauthorized by Apple, which would include tools to improve performance on your iPhone. To do so, get 'redsn0w' (with a '0' zero not an 'o'). To install programs on your device, you would use Cydia and connect it to different 'repositories' which each have different sets of programs. There are some paid apps through cydia, but most apps are free and open to the public.

1) Download RedSn0w http://redsn0w.com/(snow spelled with a zero '0' not an 'o')
2) Open Cydia
3) Allow updates to download and install
4) Browse available applications, ring tones, modifications and more...

* NOTE: we will post our opinions of 'good' and 'bad' programs here in future posts, as some apps are 'cool' but either aren't designed well (thus crashing the phone) or other reasons.



Advantages of Jailbreaking:

Download 'hacked' versions of software (free versions of paid software)

Download enhancements for device functionality (such as allowing MMS on 2G iPhones, Tethering, and more)



Disadvantages of Jailbreaking:

Because of the legalistic release from the Apple Decision Makers, you will find some programs won't work correctly, or make your phone run slower



If you want to learn more, keep reading, otherwise the info above should get you started!



Long Version

So we've all heard of unlocking cellphones before, but this is different. 'Unlocking' refers to releasing your phone from the bond of the original cellular contract, i.e. getting an AT&T phone to work on T-Mobile.

Jailbreaking, however, is a process that allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to run any code on their devices, as opposed to only that code authorized by Apple. Once jailbroken, iPhone users are able to download many applications previously unavailable through the App Store via unofficial installers such as Cydia (DO NOT USE ROCK, ICY, or INSTALLER**), as well as illegal pirated apps. A jailbroken iPhone or iPod Touch is still able to use and update apps downloaded and purchased from Apple's official App Store.

Jailbreaking is distinct from SIM unlocking, which, once completed, means that the mobile phone will accept any SIM without restriction on, for example, the country or network operator of origin. Jailbreaking, according to Apple, voids Apple's warranty on the device, although this is quickly remedied by restoring the device in iTunes.

Can all iPhones be Jailbroken? Yes, and no... Some of the later versions of the 3GS iPhones have a newer level of protection that has been jailbroken, but only slightly. If you have any other device, you can jailbreak your phone by using the two programs listed below:

Blackra1n - On October 11, 2009, George Hotz, known under alias geohot, released the tool blackra1n, which allows the jailbreaking of all iPhones and iPod touch devices running iPhone OS 3.1.2 (although the iPod touch 3rd generation is tethered, it must be plugged into a computer every time it boots. Same with the later-model 3GS). While Blackra1n is super easy to use on both Mac & PC, it's jailbreak (and unlock) are not foolproof and come with some inherent problems.

Redsn0w - Made by the Dev Team: The iPhone Dev Team is a group of hackers in the iPhone OS community who have developed many hacking (jailbreaking) and unlocking applications for Apple Inc.'s iPhone and iPod Touch devices. These applications provide owners with the ability to sidestep the limitations placed on devices by the manufacturer, allowing for activities such as deep customization and SIM unlocking. Although they are not always the first to create jailbreak tools for new versions of the iPhone OS and new models of iPhone and iPod, their releases are widely considered to be the most reliable and bug-free - and often also boast the most customization options.

redsn0w is a utility that jailbreaks the 3.0 and 3.0.1 version of the iPhone OS. It does so by downloading the custom firmware from the Internet, and then installing it onto the device. It allows users to install either Cydia or Icy, or both. This allows the user access to tweaks, home-brew applications, and the root directory and file system.

Cydia (pronounced /ˈsɪd.i.ə/) is a software application for the iPhone OS that lets a user browse and download applications for a jailbroken iPhone or iPod Touch. It was developed by Jay Freeman (also known as "saurik").

Cydia provides a more user-friendly graphical user interface for some open-source software-installation tools originally developed for Linux (specifically APT, and the dpkg package management system). Cydia's repositories allow the installation of software packages, most of which are available to download at no cost.Cydia also includes the Cydia Store, which offers a number of applications for sale. Both free and paid software packages are downloaded directly to an iPhone or iPod Touch device, to the same location as Apple's pre-installed applications (the /Applications/ directory).

Cydia however can be frustrating compared to the app store, as it will take longer to view available applications when you enter the program, and sometimes is a little frustrating to get started installing applications. However, it is the best option to getting great customizations, programs, ringtones and more without much (if at all) technical knowledge!

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