Post by trog @ 10:53am 30/06/09 | 64 Comments
If you're interested in getting the most out of your iPhone then make sure you check out our how to jailbreak for a step-by-step tutorial on getting it done.
Update: we recently received advice from various legal eagle types that indicated that publication of this article was probably not 'safe' from a legal perspective. As such, the parts of the article that explain how to jailbreak have been removed.
Heh, and you thought you could do whatever you wanted with your own property.
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Posted 11:05am 30/6/09
What worked for me was the following
1. right click on redsn0w and use the compatability settings to run it in winxp sp2 mode
2. Copy the IPSW file you intend to flash/patch into the redsn0w directory
3. Run redsn0w as Administrator (it's a right-click option)
I suspect the IPSW file location is probably not that relevant but i did all three just in case.
Posted 11:50am 30/6/09
no official software to do so yet, but theres videos of it being done and the command line etc
can't wait!@!@!@!@
Posted 11:55am 30/6/09
Posted 12:18pm 30/6/09
I dont know if this is actually true; while writing the article I tried stuff like unplugging the iPhone during the update. While its possible to get it into a state where the phone wont even visibly turn on, I was always able to recover it with iTunes.
Posted 12:35pm 30/6/09
Posted 12:54pm 30/6/09
Either way, you'll probably need to do one or all of those things to jailbreak with win7
Billy: it's the little things like numeric battery, 5-icon-dock and the convenience of SBSettings to toggle bluetooth, plane-mode (no phone allowed at work) etc. that make life easier.
Plus before Google allowed ActiveSync i used jailbroken apps to sync my calendar.
Posted 01:38pm 30/6/09
Posted 01:47pm 30/6/09
Posted 01:48pm 30/6/09
But you can write software and get it put on itunes ...
And now that most of the restrictions have been lifted on what you can write.
So the sole benefit is pirating ?
Posted 01:51pm 30/6/09
Posted 01:58pm 30/6/09
redsnow is purely a software based, barring actual hardware failure, it's nigh impossible to actually brick your phone. A simple restore in DFU mode will fix anything if it stuffs up.
The reasons for jailbreaking a phone for most average jos is dwindling with apple finally implementing a lot of stuff and applications being released with functionality it should have had at launch. The only real killer app for left is winterboard, being able to use fully customizable themes, sounds etc. Everything else is more aimed at lower level developers or 'power' users, or downloading cracked applications (which can be quite handy if they don't have a lite version and you dont want to shell over $ without trying it first).
EDIT:
No they haven't, you still can't use any native calls or functions afaik, anything not in the sdk is no-go (which is still quite a lot to whats actually available).
last edited by eXemplar at 13:58:24 30/Jun/09
Posted 01:55pm 30/6/09
Posted 01:57pm 30/6/09
Optus do it for free.
Winterboard kept crashing my iPhone and constantly re-organised my apps. Totally painful when all I wanted was 5 items in my dock. Not worth it in my experience.
Posted 02:11pm 30/6/09
Posted 02:12pm 30/6/09
Posted 02:16pm 30/6/09
if you are one of those people that run those custom theme apps on your pc you'll love it
Posted 02:20pm 30/6/09
I disagree, I'm pretty anti themes on desktop, but the iphone just feels bare compared to what you can do with winterboard. You can totally take it too far with gay looks, but even just setting a background picture behind your icons you can't even do by default.
This is what winterboard can let you do: http://imgur.com/PTNVh.jpg
That's an SGA theme, missing a few icons from 3.0.
last edited by eXemplar at 14:20:47 30/Jun/09
Posted 02:35pm 30/6/09
Posted 02:54pm 30/6/09
why would I want apple to approve software that I want to run on my iphone?
that I bought?
with my money?
Posted 02:58pm 30/6/09
Yep sorry, that was the one that kept crashing my iPhone.
Seems to be some confusion - I think pirating in this case refers to getting apps that are available in the app store but for free, which is dodgy. On the other hand, I think teq is refering to being able to put non-Apple approved apps onto his iPhone (because he owns it and therefore it shouldn't have restrictions).
Posted 03:05pm 30/6/09
I'm back to being a virgin iAwesome user and I'm proud of that.
Posted 03:12pm 30/6/09
Yeah you're not really selling it there buddy.... sorry but that theme is fugly.
Posted 03:22pm 30/6/09
are u talking about internet tethering at all?? because i thought that optus were charging extra for that for some of their plans. so i've just done it that other way
Posted 03:23pm 30/6/09
Nah Jabroney I was talking about actual carrier unlocking.
Posted 03:26pm 30/6/09
Posted 03:48pm 30/6/09
They haven't lifted any restrictions; what they've done is
1. Now provide their own tethering application - other tethering applications are still banned
2. Provide an API for pushing notifications to the phone - you still cant actually run applications in the background
Posted 04:17pm 30/6/09
Posted 04:29pm 30/6/09
From a normal user, theming is basically the only reason to jailbreak anymore, apart from older devices and the video recording app. Maybe the tethering overide stuff too, but I think that can be done without a jb.
One of the most handy things I've come across while developing on it is running an actual vnc server on the phone which allows full interacting from the computer. Saves a bit of manual fiddling and is so much better than d***ing around with the emulator which doesn't really give a good idea performance wise of how your app will work.
EDIT:
Ya, called backgrounder: http://code.google.com/p/iphone-backgrounder/wiki/Documentation
Basically works for almost all apps, however with both the data connections and app still running its a serious battery hog. I've actually had the battery still die when running apps in the background and plugged into power, using more power than it drew.
last edited by eXemplar at 16:28:15 30/Jun/09
last edited by eXemplar at 16:29:06 30/Jun/09
Posted 06:07pm 30/6/09
fcking regulators
/rant
ShodDy
Posted 09:43pm 30/6/09
Posted 09:43am 01/7/09
Posted 10:58am 01/7/09
Jailbreak = makes your phone exactly like it was before, only better imo
I can log onto cydia and download apps you can't, but if you don't care to use those apps or you can find something like it in app store (for free, or not) then you also likely wont care
Posted 12:07pm 01/7/09
yeah i dont think so.
Posted 12:09pm 01/7/09
Posted 12:42pm 01/7/09
Posted 03:03pm 01/7/09
Buying an iPhone outright is stoopid.
Posted 10:09am 02/7/09
Posted 10:20am 02/7/09
Posted 10:31am 02/7/09
There's a nifty application if you jailbreak called voipover3g which tricks applications into thinking a 3g connection is wifi.
Posted 10:51am 02/7/09
Not yet, no. There was an update released for Skype this morning, but it just looks to have been a 3.0 compatibility fix.
Posted 02:26pm 19/1/10
Posted 02:35pm 19/1/10
Posted 03:13pm 19/1/10
Shut up.
In related news, the Motorola Milestone just got root access today! Weee, custom Android ROMs ahoy!
Posted 03:17pm 19/1/10
Whether you buy it outright or subsidised on a plan you still pay either way.
Posted 06:08pm 19/1/10
Because buying a smartphone is really about calling people...
Posted 06:10pm 19/1/10
Depending on how much you use your phone, you typically pay FAR less on a plan compared to buying outright.
Posted 06:17pm 19/1/10
Posted 06:19pm 19/1/10
Posted 06:32pm 19/1/10
bow, back up
bow, back up
run away.
Posted 06:41pm 19/1/10
Posted 11:32pm 19/1/10
Mod chips are a massive grey area the mod chip technology allows circumvention of the copyright protection. And under DCMA and the FTA, that's a terrorist act.
However the ACCC fought for an won the right for our DVD players to be not region locked. So ... In a device that plays DVDs if it region locks DVD play back you can modify it so that it can play DVDs. If however the device is not region locked I think you will find that they are illegal. And beyond that if it enables people to break copy right it still may not be legal...
ie. a good laywer should be able to argue that if iinet can be done for people downloading, then a mod chip is equally as at fault.
And lets be honest the primary intent of jail breaking an iphone is copyright infringement.
Posted 12:12am 20/1/10
Huh? I haven't got a pirated app on my JB'd iPhone afaik. I did the JB for:
1. Status icon support (unread sms/text, missed call icons) that can be seen while inside most apps or on the "Slide to Unlock" screen (don't need to unlock to see if there's any activity).
2. Multi-task support. Can keep my paid-for GPS navigation software, etc running but being able to switch and browse or send/read an email without losing GPS lock and having to start over. Switch back when I'm done.
3. Full access to the filesystem via USB cable or SSH via WiFi. Can then FULLY customise phone/sms ring-tones or store files wherever I want.
4. iPhone feature shortcut menu (with some addons). With SBSettings, quick swipe at the top bar and I can toggle WiFi/3G, SSH, disable rotation, kill processes, see read WAN and WiFi IP addresses, etc. No need to navigate senseless menus.
5. Minor theming/modding of the iPhone GUI. I don't care about flashy stuff or animations/transitions. Just basic, static wallpaper and 5-icon-dock does wonders to the basic look.
And here I am, continuing to buy Apps from the iTunes store ...
Posted 12:26am 20/1/10
Posted 10:55am 20/1/10
Posted 11:01am 20/1/10
Parabol, you're in a minority I assume.
I don't disagree with the sentiment though. You buy the handset, and license the firmware. You shouldn't be restricted from using third party firmware on your handset (assuming said third party software doesnt infringe copyright in the underlying work itself).
Posted 11:33am 20/1/10
That may well be the primary reason for devices like game consoles, but a smartphone is basically a tiny PC and the iPhone has a ridiculous amount of potential functionality that is shackled by it's manufacturer.
Want to make Skype calls over 3G instead of wifi? Want to password protect individual apps? Want a lockscreen that shows more than just the clock?
That it enables piracy is just an unfortunate side-effect.
Posted 11:46am 20/1/10
Not really, Sony took it to the high court and lost. Mod chips are legal aslong as they are used to enable playing of legal media. Because we can legally buy overseas media (DVDs, games etc) the court ruled that we should be able to play them on a legally owned console. If that involved modifying that console then it was legal, the fact that the modchips also circumvented their copyprotection was deemed an issue for the Manufacturers to resolve, essentially they were told dump your region coding system and we'll ban modchips.
Posted 12:32pm 20/1/10
Are you talking about Sony v Stevens? If so, it's been over-ruled by legislation. See the 2006 amendments to the Copyright Act 1968 wrt Technological Protection Measures and Access Control Technological Protection Measures.
Posted 04:14pm 20/1/10
Doesn't usually stop you dan ...
You bought a device with a user agreement. Don't like the agreement ? ... you should have returned it immediately.
If I buy a semi automatic rifle, and I mod it be fully automatic .. illegal.
If I buy a care and rip off the doors ... illegal
Heck it's illegal to leave your keys in the car unattended.
If have money and burn it ... illegal
You are allowed to own an axe ... you are not allowed to cut peoples heads off with it.
There are lots of things you buy/own that come with conditions and usage guidelines.
I am yet to see a single jailbroken iphone that didn't have at least 1 pirated app if only for "testing". Maybe they exist ? I am just yet to see them.
So either the people claiming not have any pirated or copyright infringing material (eg. a free program to rip a dvd is still infringing copyright) are
1. unusually honest, yet to meet anyone that is this honest.
or
2. lying
Posted 05:07pm 20/1/10
We provided numerous reasons supporting the contrary and all you provided was pointless stuff about the legalities of use when it's already established that it's not technically legal in Australia - that was edited into the OP and it's the reason that this thread was bumped.
By no means are we denying that piracy occurs as a result of JB. What's being refuted is the ignorant statement that piracy is the primary motivator being jailbreaking. It's not, most would still be JB'ing regardless of pirated apps because there is a s***load of really useful functionality to be had.
It may well be the primary motivator for _some_ people, but it's not the reason the hacks were created and not the reason that most people choose to use them.
Posted 05:14pm 20/1/10
Once tethering was included by apple I went back to not being jailbroken.
* This post was to provide an example of a jailbroken iphone where it wasn't used to pirate software or breach copyright - not to suggest that the only reason for jailbreaking was tethering
Posted 05:24pm 20/1/10
Here's a photo I just took of his iPhone showing all the pirate software he has:
Posted 06:16pm 20/1/10
I just read all that and am yet to find a coherent argument.
Could you please provide solid evidence to back up your claims, without having to resort to severely broken analogies?
Posted 06:59pm 20/1/10