What is a Jailbreak?
Jailbreaking is a process that allows Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad to essentially "be free." It allows the users to have something called "root access" of the command line of the iOs operating system. This basically means that it allows users to gain operate over their devices, removing limitations of the device. It allows the downloading of themes and extensions. It also allows users to download apps that are not found in the App Store and accomplish other tasks that are not possible on non-jailbroken devices. Devices that are jailbroken still have all of the features that non-jailbroken devices have (making phone calls, listening to music).
There are two types of jailbreaks; untethered and tethered. An untethered jailbreak allows the "idevice" to turn on and reboot without the use of a computer. Tethered jailbreaks need a computer to turn the idevice on or to reboot it, proving to be much less convenient. Tethered jailbreaks need the computer because the kernel of the gismo isn't patched meaning that the idevice can not boot by itself.
Is jailbreaking illegal?
In many places it is not illegal. As of 2010, jailbreaking is legal in the United States. Apple still may claim it to void your warranty, which may very well be the only setback to it. Jailbreaking is also legal in many other countries together with most of them in Europe. The jailbreaking process can absolutely be reversed by restoring the gismo in iTunes.
Am I going to get caught if I jailbreak in a country where it is illegal?
While we do not promote illegal activities, we will say that the only way you could get caught is if you show it to an Apple worker and it is jailbroken. You are most likely safe. Any obligation for jailbreaking would most likely be minor. It is a very low risk.
The main question - Why Jailbreak?
Jailbreaking gives freedom, something that all of us love and can not resist. As stated by Patrick Henry, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Jailbreaking just seems like the plausible thing to do. It allows an idevice to be able to do an expected whole of things that it could not do before. Jay Freeman, the originator of a beloved application, theme, and extension installer for jailbroken devices called Cydia, estimates that over 10% of all iPhones are jailbroken.Some specific and real-life examples of why users jailbreak are listed below:
* Theming - You can absolutely theme and change just about any part of the visible User Interface (Gui) of your idevice, ranging from the text behind your slider on the lockscreen, to the look of applications. Sounds that your phone makes (ie: ringtones, keyboard clicks, etc.) can also be changed. Each individual icon of applications can be themed and you can even theme app store applications! There are also many html widgets and other plugins that allow more icons on each page, live weather updates, and much more. Theming is one of the main reasons why users jailbreak.
* Applications - There are many applications that can be downloaded for jailbroken devices that are not on the App Store. There are many small-task applications and also many other apps that do a wide collection of different things. Two very beloved applications are biteSms and MyWi. BiteSms is an alternative to the native iPhone app "Messages." It has many extra features not available otherwise and is a cheaper alternative to an expensive texting plan with At&T. Other application is MyWi. MyWi allows you to tether your idevice's WiFi (or Edge or 3G connection) to Other WiFi enabled gismo such as a laptop. For those of you that don't know, tethering in this case is plainly allowing your idevices internet relationship to be transmitted to Other device.
* Plugins and Extensions - Many beneficial plugins and extensions are available to jailbroken devices. There are plugins and extensions that allow users to download videos from safari and even view flash (yes, flash, that thing that Adobe and Apple couldn't come to terms on)! Activator is a very beloved and beneficial plugin that allows many actions by doing uncomplicated gestures. An example is chance and app by keeping the home button, skipping music tracks by pressing the volume operate button, and much more. A beloved plugin and extension boss is Sbsettings. It allows easy operate of your plugins and extensions from approximately everywhere by doing something as uncomplicated sliding your finger across the status bar (the bar at the top of an idevice).
* Blacklisting - Blacklisting is a small and uncomplicated surmise that some jailbreak for. It allows a feel level call filter, allowing you to block numbers and various things along those lines.
* Facetime over 3G - Facetime can only be used when on WiFi - unless you are jailbroken and have a puny something called My3G. It allows use of Facetime when linked to 3G instead of just WiFi. This means Facetime on-the-go!
* Bluetooth capabilities - There are many Bluetooth capabilities Apple doesn't tell you about. Many are fully accessible such as file exchange, connecting to a mouse, and connecting to a keyboard!
* access files like a computer - The beloved application iFile allow you to access files absolutely and access them more similarly to a computer.
* Emulators - There are many emulator applications ranging from a gameboy emulator to a very early Macintosh emulator. There are many emulators that furnish great entertainment.
* Quick Calling - An definite feature that the iPhone is missing is now available on jailbroken devices. With just one touch, users can call a friend.
* Pirating - Not an ethical reason, and most disagree with it (and they have a very good surmise to disagree with it - its stealing!), but sadly it is a surmise that some jailbreak.
There are thousands of other reasons as well!
One of the few flaws with jailbreaking is that Apple can void the warranty if they find out. This doesn't mean that it is likely though because it is very difficult for them to find out. They usually have to physically have the idevice to find out, but a uncomplicated restore straight through iTunes solves the problem because it leaves no trace of a jailbreak. Even if your idevice is broken, it can usually be linked to iTunes and restored before bringing the idevice into apple to be fixed. There are also third party guarnatee plans that replace an idevice if broken, so if there is fear of the warranty being voided, third party guarnatee is a safe alternative.
Now that you know what a jailbreak is, learn how to jailbreak! Go to http://www.whyjailbreak.com to learn more.
