Why You Have To Jailbreak the iPhone
Sarah Perez
2009-01-12
Jailbreaking vs. Unlocking
Simply put, "jailbreaking" is a straightforward process that allows you to install unapproved third-party applications on your device. It is sometimes confused with "unlocking" - the process that makes the phone capable of working on other carriers besides AT&T (in the U.S., that is).
Although very different from each other, both processes are unapproved by Apple and will void your warranty. Still, a non-jailbroken phone is only half the phone it could be. The extra functionality it allows for makes it worth the risk. Besides, if you ever do need to return it for warranty repairs, you can always wipe it clean and reinstall the firmware. (Just call Apple tech support and have them walk you through the process, explaining that you're sending it in for repairs and are concerned about privacy. Ask them to help you reinstall it to its original, out-of-the-box state.)
Why Jailbreak?
Apple, in their infinite wisdom, locked down the iPhone in a number of ways, hampering its ability to do basic tasks like record video, zoom in when taking photos, or apply a theme to your homescreen. They may have been right to do so - many cell phone owners have had devices with this functionality for years, but could never understand how to access those functions. Those features made the phone "too confusing" to use, complained cell phones owners.
However, for the most part, those who were struggling with the technicalities of recording a video on their phone were from an older generation - ones who didn't grow up with cell phones and their "new-fangled" capabilities. For everyone else, these types of features are somewhat expected in modern devices, especially those as advanced as the iPhone. And the fact that Apple's smartphone doesn't include these options is something that's often surprising to new owners. Read More
