There have already been two updates with Apple’s iOS – iOS 4.0.1 released last July, and iOS 4.0.2 released this August. With these two updates and with the fantastic features of the iPhone 4, is it still necessary for you to jailbreak or unlock your iPhones?Before the advent of jailbreaking, people who buy iDevices accept that their device’s fate will be dictated by Apple as to apps that will be installed, which of the hardware functions can be exploited to their full potential, and which carrier can be used with your iPhone.
Jailbreaking Defined
People who are not open to the “exclusivity” idea found ways to free their phones. That’s when Jailbreaking came to be. Jailbreaking is a process that enables a device to run code, meaning programs or system modification that hasn't been sanctioned by Apple. A jailbroken iPhone for example, will allow its user to download many extensions and themes previously unavailable through the App Store via unofficial installers such as Cydia.
Jailbreaking became so popular that the Copyright Office legalized it last July allowing all iPhone users to gain full and better control of their phones, reiterating that: “When one jailbreaks a smartphone in order to make the operating system on that phone interoperable with an independently created application that has not been approved by the maker of the smartphone or the maker of its operating system, the modifications that are made purely for the purpose of such interoperability are fair uses.”Features of iOS 4.0.1 and 4.0.2
The iOS 4.0.1 software update didn’t offer new features. Its main purpose was to address the flaw on the number of bars displayed by the iPhone 4 as a consequence of the “deathgrip” problem.
Apple said that an incorrect formula was used and this resulted to an incorrect display of the iPhone’s true signal strength. Due to this flaw, users in low reception areas see more 4 or 5 signal bars when it should be less.The iOS 4.0.2, on the other hand, was also released to address a security problem found on iOS 4.0 and 4.0.1 created by JailbreakMe, a web-based jailbreaking tool for iDevices that is downloaded into the iOS device through a PDF file. JailbreakMe attacks a hole in the iOS making your iDevices vulnerable to hacking and malware installation.
TheiOS 4.0.2 software update has now addressed and patched this vulnerability issue and has provided improvements to Multitasking and fast app switching. It also brought over 100 new features to the iPhone like folders, better mail, iBooks, Home screen wallpaper, and wireless keyboard support among others.
The iOS 4.0.2 works with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G although not all features are said to be compatible with all devices. Apple said multitasking is available only with iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS.
Reasons for Jailbreaking and Unlocking
Now, going back to the question of whether or not it is still necessary to jailbreak or unlock your iPhones, many believed this is still a necessity.
Apple mentioned that the iPhone 3GS and 3G are not capable of handling the full features of iOS 4.0.2. Many jailbreakers believe this is not the case. iPhone users of these two models who have jailbroken their phones saw that their units responded quite well to multitasking and to running several apps.
Access to applications is also another reason for jailbreaking because there are far more apps available in Cydia for jailbreakers than through iTunes.
It is also necessary to unlock the iPhone so people who want to be free from AT&T can switch to other carriers like T-Mobile.
Jailbreaking and Unlocking Tools
There are several tools that have already been released for unlocking iDevices. But before you use any of these jailbreaking and unlocking tools, please note that if you need to jailbreak or unlock your iPhone, don’t upgrade it to version 4.0.2 because once your iPhone is upgraded and patched, JailbreakMe will no longer work for your phone.
JailbreakMe
This is a web-based jailbreaking tool that was tagged as the simplest jailbreaking tool ever that works for all iDevices. JailbreakMe is browser-based and requires no downloads. It could jailbreak iPhone 4 iOS 4 and 4.0.1, including the original iPhone and older iPhone models 3G and 3GS. The tool is so flexible that it could also jailbreak iPad and iPod touch.
JailbreakMe can be accessed by going to the Apple’s Safari App. The jailbreaking tool is then downloaded into the iOS device through a PDF file.
JailbreakMe can be accessed by going to the Apple’s Safari App. The jailbreaking tool is then downloaded into the iOS device through a PDF file. The method allegedly attacks a flaw in the iOS PDF viewer in order to gain access to the device.
Redsn0w 0.9.5
This jailbreaking tool released by the iPhone dev team is for jailbreaking iPhone 3G & iPod Touch 2G for 4.0 iOS. The same can be used to jailbreak iOS 4.0.1 and 4.0.2.Ultrasn0w 1.0-1
This latest unlocking tool version has recently been released by the iPhone dev team. Ultrasn0w 1.0-1 can unlock iPhone units under different basebands namely:
1. iPhone 4 running iOS 4.0 / 4.0.1 with 01.59.00 baseband
2. iPhone 3G, 3GS with 04.26.08, 05.11.07, 05.12.01 or 05.13.04 baseband
Do not forget to backup your iPhone before jailbreaking or unlocking your phones just in case you would need to restore your phones later on. Jailbreaking your iPhone may also void its warranty.
0 comments:
Post a Comment