| Before discussing how to <a rel="nofollow" | | | | phone. They felt that holding a customer prisoner |
| onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(' | | | | to Apple’s apps was downright devious. |
| outgoing/article_exit_link');" href="jailbreak"> | | | | Why should customers who paid good money for |
| iPhone 3G</a>, remember, there’s a | | | | the iPhone be held to ransom? How could users |
| world of difference between jailbreaking and | | | | be restricted to Apple’s software? And the |
| unlocking a cell phone. Unlocking is a process | | | | fact that Apple was the only phone company that |
| whereby you bypass the SIM lock on the iPhone | | | | had these restrictions in place made people even |
| 3G, which allows the use only of SIM cards | | | | more angry. Some even called it a violation of a |
| allowed by pre-approved network providers. | | | | phone user’s fundamental rights! |
| These network providers have a deal with Apple | | | | But soon, hackers came to the rescue, suggesting |
| which bars the use of third-party SIM cards. | | | | ways to break into and modify the user interface |
| Jailbreaking, on the other hand, breaks into the | | | | that broke past software restrictions – or file |
| iPhone’s file system to modify the user | | | | system – that didn’t allow you to even |
| interface so that you can install third-party apps. | | | | add your own custom ringtone! |
| When the iPhone was launched in mid-2007, it was | | | | The most popular software developed to date to |
| a watershed in the history of cellular phones. In | | | | jailbreak the iPhone 3G is the Pwnage Tool. There |
| fact, all of Apple’s 1,800 stores in the US had | | | | are various versions and they were developed |
| sold out within the first 24 hours. | | | | soon after Apple released its first-generation |
| But there were issues. The quad-band phone with | | | | iPhone. |
| cutting-edge touch-screen technology, media | | | | But a word of caution. Many have found that |
| player, web browser and wi-fi technology also | | | | jailbreaking the iPhone 3G damaged the phone. |
| unleashed an undercurrent of resentment as it | | | | Others found quite the opposite. These users |
| locked users into network provider AT&T | | | | claim that a jailbroken iPhone can be restored to |
| and for the GSM version, Verizon and T-Mobile. | | | | factory using Apple’s iTunes. This also means |
| Moreover, it also meant that you could use only | | | | that you can retrieve all your data because its |
| Apple’s apps. | | | | backed up on iTunes. |
| Some even called Apple’s revolutionary baby | | | | But jailbreaking and hacking aside, the iPhone |
| a smartass, not a smartphone! | | | | remains the most coveted smartphone to date. |
| But hackers and software developer devised | | | | Imagine downloading music and videos via a |
| ways to bypass the lock and web forums were | | | | device that fits into your shirt pocket! |
| abuzz with every new development. Of course | | | | Just before it was launched Apple’s Steve |
| both unlocking and jailbreaking were both illegal | | | | Jobs called the iPhone a magical device that was |
| though unlocking is relatively easy and legal today. | | | | five years ahead of its time. Many would agree |
| For many, it didn’t matter that they owned | | | | that it still is. |
| what is arguably the world’s sexiest cell | | | | |