App Store facing competition from jailbreak app sales?

I am actually OK with Apple doing this as long as the App store continues to grow. I like the idea that I can turn on my MBP or iPhone and the damn thing works. This is their way of controlling what can go on your phone, and it helps the company.

I agree, in part with what nosequitor said. Modifiying the firmware ipsw for an ipone/ipod touch is completely legal. I'd like to see some one try and get me sent to jail for that. But on the other hand taking the app store and just ripping it out from under apple. If little app stores keep popping up like the Cydia one did, then, well I'd hate to say it, but "Bye, Bye Apple". No one wants Apple gone, they made the Ipone and Ipod touch, not to mention all the time and money the shoved into Mac boocks and the development of newer and better OS's for the Mac. I admit I have a jailbroken Ipod, with over hundreds of dollars worth of free apps that were supposed to be paid for. But, with out being biased, I would hate to see the Apple go down the tubes. Just for the sheer power they've given the developers and crackers, I jailbroke my Ipod on my own(I'm 13), and am in the process of developing a new Cydia/Installer like app. It may come to be it may not. But if Apple goes away so does all the fun in doing whatever you want to do with their hardware.

"He may also want to get in touch with the team that represents Psystar ... just in case."

Freeman may also want to get a reality check. His target market for a Cydia store is the same market segment that has already taken the necessary steps to avoid paying normal telecom prices. Do these users seem likely to pay for software? In Freeman's dreams maybe. In the real world 95% will crack the apps just like the phone.

Just like iTunes store facing compitition with video converter and dvd ripper.

cydia store is open

http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cydiastore.jpg

i think what apple needs to do to stop this is apple needs to seriously Rework there Approval Terms its ridiculous how much crap like Ijiggle Ifart flashlight programs are on the iPhone and yet good stuff like the last sirus app that got turned down or the southpark Mobile app gets turned down

Most people don't even know/want to know what jail breaking is - so I don't think apple has much to worry about here.

Cydia is like those people who will sell you a chip to overclock your BMW. Hey, whatever, it's your car, knock yourself out - maybe literally but as for complaining about "good apps" not selling enough - that's called marketing & advertising and frankly, cream rises to the top - even if it's stupid cream. I think iPint is brilliant even if it's stupid while podcaster or any podcasting app, don't need it whether it's free, $2.99 or $9.99. I have ZERO problem wading through 20 fart apps, I have none on my machine but I appreciate knowing it's there if I need one or 20. All I have to do is type fart in the search, not that much a strain. But bring it on. A well implemented stupid app is BETTER than a poorly implemented app that purports to be useful - I have yet to find a note taking app that syncs correctly or is not confusing to use so I'm back to NOTEPAD and while I have no problems with adult apps, I understand why Apple doesn't want to deal with if one iPhone user on this planet somewhere on this planet downloads one risque app onto their iphone that a 17-year old sees, life as we know will end ... or as reported by the NY Post so it's just easier to avoid that ... but yet, of course, Apple doesn't want to leave a revenue hole so ... :-)

The best way for Apple to stop people jailbreaking is to give them the features they want. If iPhone 3.0 has copy+paste, turn-by-turn GPS and background apps, a lot of people won't bother jailbreaking again after installing.

However I think tethering and VoIP would be more complex to implement as they directly impact AT&T.

Competition is a good thing. I hate the fact that Apple has set things up so the only place to get apps is through their store. I'm not against buying from them, but I'd prefer a choice.

Also, their submission process is BS. They can refuse an app for any reason, including no reason at all. Especially if they see an app as competing with one of theirs. It's quite arrogant to think that only their solutions are viable.

Finally, I disagree with their censorship. They have no issue selling music with explicit lyrics, no qualms about renting or selling video data with objectionable content. Yet allowing people to put books on the iPhone is bad.

I say this as an iPhone and MacBook owner: screw Apple. They exist to make and sell products people wish to buy. We do not exist to buy whatever they sell. They don't have an inalienable right to
exclusive distribution. They are probably only an anti-trust case away from being forced to open their platform to apps distributed outside their ecosystem.

I love the products but hate the 'father knows best' attitude.