You have an Apple gadget: an iPhone 4S, iPad 3, iPod Touch or whatever, then you come across the word Jailbreak. You know nothing much about it, except that it hacks your gadget, possibly voiding the warranty it comes along with. Why should you jailbreak it in the first place? Is the risk worth it? Well, this post is for you.

Let me enlighten you on the world of Apple jailbreaking.

photo from downloadredsn0w.com

First and foremost, the jailbreaking basics from Wikipedia:

“iOS jailbreaking is the process of removing the limitations imposed by Apple on devices running the iOS operating system through the use of hardware/software exploits – such devices include the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and second generation Apple TV. Jailbreaking allows iOS users to gain root access to the operating system, allowing them to download additional applications, extensions, and themes that are unavailable through the official Apple App Store.”

PCWorld says:

“This is a double-edged sword: You could run unstable tools or even damage your device, although that’s highly unlikely. Remember that with your jailbroken device, Apple isn’t around to tell you what you can and can’t do with it–for better or for worse. Fortunately, if you pay attention to what you’re doing, you can run the warranty-voiding process without incident–and if you change your mind later, you can return to Apple’s default, locked-down environment.”

So that’s fact number 1: Warranty is not void- If done correctly, you can return your jailbroken gadget to its original factory settings, deleting any trace of it being jailbroken before.

photo from cdn.macgasm.net

So why should you risk jailbreaking your device? Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:
1.) Install very useful third-party utilities and apps including:

• Activator – Customize gestures when launching apps and toggling settings
• AirBlue Sharing – BlueTooth connect to non-Apple devices
• Display Out – Mirror screen to TV via HDMI output
• Display Recorder – Video record what’s on your device screen
• iFile – Browse and modify local files
• MyWi – Turn your device to a wifi hotspot, USB or BlueTooth tethering
• SBSettings – Move important toggles (Wifi, BlueTooth, SSH, etc.) to a drop down springboard
• Other apps that will improve efficiency and looks on contacts, mail, interface, icons, etc.

2.) Save a lot of $$$ with the FREE full version paid AppStore Apps via the app Installous
3.) Still have access to the AppStore to buy/download the latest yet-to-be-hacked apps
4.) If you ever need help, lots of support forums are available online regarding jailbroken devices

Cons:
1.) Unlikely chance of breaking your gadget or voiding the warranty (Just follow instructions and you’ll be fine)
2.) Uber-latest apps won’t be available on Installous right away, but eventually they will be
3.) You can’t go to Apple for help unless you restore factory settings and un-jailbreak your device first

Have you decided? Just making things clear: I’m not advocating the idea of jailbreaking your device here, as it is clearly not advised in the eyes of Apple. In the end, it will be of your own choice and of your own responsibility. I will just show you how, and let you yourself try maximizing the usage of your gadget via Cydia’s (I’ll explain that in the next post) own little way.

With that out of the way, click here for my “How To Jailbreak Your Apple Device” post!

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Posted on Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 at 5:08 pm in Computer & Web   |  RSS feed |  Respond  |  Trackback URL