Why Jailbreak?

I'm curious: why do people jailbreak?

Ever since the Library of Congress ruled in favor of jailbreaking although it may void your warranty and now there is a browser-based jailbreak, I've started to pay attention to jailbreaking, at least a little.

My friend Jeff Barszcz posted some of his reasons, and I found some of them really compelling.

The last time I really paid attention was before Apple opened the App Store, and I'm guessing a lot has changed since then.

Here is what I know about jailbreaking: 1) there's a program that lets you run any program in the background, 2) there's an app to turn your iPhone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, 3) there's a program that gives you quick access to turn things like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Data on and off quickly, as well as adjust settings, 4) there's an app that lets you access your iOS device via SSH and you ought to change the default passwords if you turn on SSH.

Let me be clear: I'm asking for specific examples of applications and uses that people find with jailbreaking which aren't available otherwise. I'm less interested in philosophical reasons involving the words such as "freedom" and "open" although I understand those are compelling reasons for some people.

So, dear readers, tell me: what jailbreak apps you think are "must haves" that might convince someone to become a jailbreaker?

Image via FHKE on Flickr.

View Tags

Source: http://glueslabs.tumblr.com/post/868019320/i-am-not-a-crook-…

Categories

iPhone Jailbreak/pwnage iPad iOS

I'm curious: why do people jailbreak? Ever since the Library of Congress ruled in favor of jailbreaking although it may void your warranty...

Add a Comment

Sign in »

296 Comments

Filter by:

Mike

Is it safe to jb an iPhone 4

August 30 2010 at 10:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dan Welygan

Unlocking my phone to use local SIM cards when I travel. Much easier than carrying a cheapie voice only cell phone + iphone in airplane mode.

August 07 2010 at 10:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Brunzy

I don't have jailbreak and I have the 30$ unlimited data I'm halfway through my cycle this month and I've got 10gb used already lol I'm using the app downloads for 1.99 to get free music off of beemp3.com and free movies off of iphonemoviez.com even movies in theatres now are available for download and alot of them are good quality so ya lol

August 06 2010 at 10:56 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

MiKe

SBSettings
BiteSMS
Winterboard - MMS tones

Good Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8JueZYyy8c

August 06 2010 at 2:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

John

iRealSMS. Period. I want quick reply and quick send of text/mms straight from the lock screen (or any application that I have open).

Also, SBSettings. The quick-access to often used toggles (WiFi/Bluetooth/etc) is priceless.

August 05 2010 at 2:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chris

Can't believe noone's said it, but the greatest app after a jailbreak is:

INSTALLOUS

Add the the cydia repo - http://cydia.hackulo.us/

You'll thank me later :)

August 04 2010 at 11:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tarmac

Gameboy emulator to play pokemon!

August 04 2010 at 11:28 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Adam

Tethering.

I got grandfathered into an unlimited data plan with ATT. To get tethering on the iphone 4, I would need to downgrade to a 2 gb plan. Jailbreak allows me to buy a tethering app for a relatively low price, and still maintain the unlimited data.

August 04 2010 at 10:28 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Logantx

A few reasons:
Lockinfo
SBSettings
BiteSMS
ringtones
Activator
Installous
MyWi
My3G

August 04 2010 at 9:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jackpollard

I was not going to jailbreak initially on my ip4, I did on my ip3g. However the ease of it just pushed me to get back; bitesms, sbssettings and mywi. Bitesms is what apple messaging should be. Sbs just gives you the control you really need and mywi speaks for itself, my data, my money, my way. Also 5 icon dock is great. Nothing so dangerous or wrong that it will cause apple 1 second of issue. Of course i assume the responsibility of it, if it screws up, I have to restore it and then bring it in for service.

August 04 2010 at 9:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply