I admit, I ADORE my iPhone…I would be lost without it. However, I am also curious….how much more productive could it be if I Jailbreak it? In case you have been under a rock, the term “jailbreak” simply means freeing it from the limitations imposed on it by AT&T and Apple. You install a software application on your computer, and then transfer it to your iPhone, where it “breaks open” the iPhone’s file system to allow you to modify it. Why would you want to do this?
Pros:
Well….the biggest reason is if you want the iPhone but you are under contract to another GSM carrier, the biggest draw has been that Jailbreaking lets you to “unlock” your phone so you can use it with a carrier other than AT&T. The next reason would be that it lets you do more with the device. You can do everything from customizing the look of your iPhone to installing third-party applications and customized ringtones on it.
Cons:
As soon as you hit that button, you’re on your own. Essentially, you have voided your warranty, so you can’t rely on AT&T or Apple to fix any problems you encounter. That and ALL of the applications that jailbreak your phone as well as the ones you download are unauthorized and could damage or completely disable your iPhone. You can also inadvertenlty downoad an app that has a virus or malware, since you have to plug the iPhone into your computer to sync, you would essentially let that virus walk right into your computer and network. Your computers potentially could become infected with a virus and your beautiful iPhone would be reduced to a $400 paperweight.
Now, there is an entire community devoted to 3rd party apps and “jailbroken” iPhones. They are constantly battling Apple for control of the iPhone, as soon as 17 year old George Hotz opened the door by hacking the first iPhone they have been relentless. Every time Apple releases a new update that blocks the “jailbroken” iPhones…..the hackers have a new software with a workaround within hours [wired]. There are even Six Reasons to Jailbreak Your iPhone according to Wired magazine. Me, I am a sucker for customer service. I’m a Mac devotee and I have Apple Care that I have paid for on all machines I own. So for me, the thought of invalidating my warranty and losing money makes it not worth it.
Photo: Mobilecrunch
---------Lianne Farbes is the Head of the US Edition of HelloCotton an online social platform for discovering and sharing women’s blog content. She also writes for several online publications, she is a Beauty Expert, Social Media enthusiast, Project Manager, Web 2.0 cheerleader and she is always online in one form or another. Follow her on Twitter @LianneFarbes, @Hellocotton and friend her through any of her social profiles here and here
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Tags: Apple, iPhone, Jailbreak, technology
I believe that AT&T is not going to be the exclusive provider of the iPhone in the next couple of years. It would make since for Apple to expand it’s product to the other cell phone companies…more profit…just like RIM has done with the Blackberry….that’s only if Apple decides to make a variety of versions of the iPhone. From what I hear the service at AT&T for people with the iPhone sucks. And some people aren’t happy at how much the plan costs…so it will make since for Apple to get competitive.
Personally, I’m not into touch screen phones. And can’t a person turn an iTouch into a phone?
Hey Z…
Yeah your right….they had that exclusive deal with Apple but they are starting to expand (Have you noticed you can buy them in WalMart/BestBuy now?). I heard they will go to Verizon next. You can’t make an iTouch into an iPhone…BUT you can jailbreak it and download a VOIP app. But since there isn’t a mic on the iTouch you have to buy one that plugs into the syncing port. So the fast answer is yes it can be done, the real answer is that you have to complete a few steps and purchase additional equipment to do so.