Apple iPod

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 control 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 perform 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).

Apple iPod

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 device 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 including most of them in Europe. The jailbreaking process can easily be reversed by restoring the device 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 employee and it is jailbroken. You are most likely safe. Any enforcement 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 incredible amount of things that it could not do before. Jay Freeman, the creator of a popular 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 easily theme and change just about any part of the Graphic 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 variety of different things. Two very popular 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. Another application is MyWi. MyWi allows you to tether your idevice's WiFi (or Edge or 3G connection) to another WiFi enabled device such as a laptop. For those of you that don't know, tethering in this case is simply allowing your idevices internet connection to be transmitted to another device.

* Plugins and Extensions - Many useful 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 popular and useful plugin that allows many actions by doing simple gestures. An example is opening and app by holding the home button, skipping music tracks by pressing the volume control button, and much more. A popular plugin and extension manager is SBSettings. It allows easy control of your plugins and extensions from almost anywhere by doing something as simple sliding your finger across the status bar (the bar at the top of an idevice).

* Blacklisting - Blacklisting is a small and simple reason that some jailbreak for. It allows a contact 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 little something called My3G. It allows use of Facetime when connected 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 popular application iFile allow you to access files easily 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 provide great entertainment.

* Quick Calling - An obvious 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 reason to disagree with it - its stealing!), but sadly it is a reason 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 simple restore through iTunes solves the problem because it leaves no trace of a jailbreak. Even if your idevice is broken, it can usually be connected to iTunes and restored before bringing the idevice into apple to be fixed. There are also third party insurance plans that replace an idevice if broken, so if there is fear of the warranty being voided, third party insurance is a safe alternative.

iPhone