iPhone Jailbreak Applications

Jailbreak Your iPhone

Most people agree, the iPhone is the coolest gadget since the fork was invented. But plenty of people are unhappy that the iPhone was designed to run only the limited set of software apps provided by Apple. When the iPhone was first introduced, it was a closed platform, meaning that it would not run any third-party (non-Apple) software. You couldn't even download a custom ringtone. That's a bit like buying a computer that doesn't allow you to install any new programs. Definitely not cool.

But clever hackers soon found a way to tweak the iPhone, enabling it to run third-party apps. This technique is known as "jailbreaking" your iPhone. Doing so will allow you to download some very cool apps and ringtones that can make your iPhone a lot more fun and useful.

So how do you jailbreak your iPhone? There are various methods, depending on your iPhone firmware version. So the first step is to place your iPhone on the dock, fire up Itunes, and click on the Summary tab. This will show you what version of the firmware you have on your iPhone. Armed with that information, you're ready to begin the jailbreak process. The most concise and current info about jailbreaking iPhones that I've seen is LifeHacker's How to Install Third-Party Apps on Your New iPhone or iPod Touch.

If you encounter problems such as freezing, a reboot should fix it. And you should know that jailbreaking your iPhone will void your warranty with Apple. So if you have a problem with a jailbroken iPhone, don't expect any sympathy from Apple. However, you can undo the jailbreak by restoring the original iPhone settings through iTunes.

Some Cool Jailbreak Apps

Once you've completed the jailbreak process and kissed your iPhone warranty goodbye, you can start downloading some cool apps created by third-party developers. Use the Safari browser on your iPhone to check out these links:

• SummerBoard adds a variety of useful and fun features to your iPhone, including scrolling icons, wallpaper and themes.
• The Aquarium screensaver displays clown fish that you can feed. It was created by Jason Merchant, who previously released a Zune 2 game for the iPhone.
• Zune 2 itself is another basic time-killer. You become the iPhone and get a chance to shoot those nasty Zunes down with missiles. And if you feel the need to say "Take that Microsoft!" you can download iWhack, which gives you the chance to knock MS CEO Steve Ballmer on the head... often.
• Other popular iPhone games include Tetris, Mines, and Sudoku. Note that these will work in Safari, even without jailbreak.
• It doesn’t take a scientist to handle iphysics, which is based on Crayon Physics. You use your finger to create and toss around objects with its accelerometer. It’s not rocket science, but it is a nice diversion during a lunch hour.
• If you want to keep in touch with your buddies via instant messaging, Apollo IM is the way to go.
• Although most downloads are cost-free, I cannot omit Efiko’s iPhoneRingtones, a very simple and inexpensive app, which will automatically transfer your custom ringtones to your iPhone. It supports .MP3, .OGGs, and .WAVs. You can also add effects and edit your tones down to a hundredth of a second.

What About the iPhone SDK?

It's true that Apple recently released a beta version of the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK), which will enable independent programmers to develop software that runs on the iPhone, without the stigma, hassles and warranty problems that come with Jailbreak.

So why mess around with jailbreak, when Apple has decided to provide a sanctioned way to create software for iPhones? Well, there's the timing factor. Programs developed with Apple's SDK will not be available until late June 2008, at the earliest. All of the cool jailbreak apps are here now. There's some concern as to whether the jailbreak apps will still run alongside SDK apps, but my guess is that some clever programmer will find a hack to make them all play nice together.

Do you have a favorite iPhone jailbreak app, or something to say on this topic? Post your comments below...