iPhone beta OS cracks before release
Freetards rejoice, but for how long?
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Those devoted to cracking Apple's iPhone have outdone themselves, breaking the latest beta release of version 3.0 of the OS within a couple of days and well before anyone outside the testing community is even using the software.
Version 3 of the iPhone OS offers distinct improvements, including the much-discussed cut-and-paste functionality, but is currently only (officially) available to developers who have paid their dues. The fact that such developers are banned by contract from working on jailbreaking software makes the swift crack all the more remarkable.
Apple keeps a strong hand on iPhones, only permitting users to install approved software purchased from Apple - with the (not unreasonable) claim that this improves security and simplicity. But those who rate freedom higher than those priorities have the option to "jailbreak" their handsets, allowing them to install any software they like without being beholden to the boys in Cupertino.
Apple has recently changed tack in dealing with the jailbreaking community - making developers agree not to create applications for jailbroken handsets, with the threat of being denied official channels if they are caught, and if Apple can dry up the available applications then users will have no reason to jailbreak their handsets, even if it becomes technically easy.
There will still be some developers prepared to annoy Apple in the name of freedom, but most need to put bread on the table and won't support a community whose primary motivation is the use of stolen software. So while jailbreaking may become technically easy the reasons to do so could quickly dry up. ®
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COMMENTS
@Mac Phreak
Not every iPhone user is tied into such a restrictive contract - perhaps you'd like to read the terms and conditions for the O2 iPhone Pay & Go tariff...
No stealing going on ?????
to Johan Martin
"No one is stealing software. They paid for their hardware and now want the freedom to choose which software they install. No different from buying a Windows machine and putting Linux on it. The manufacturer probably won't support it but it does not make it illegal."
While I recognize that there are reasons to jailbreak other than pirating software, one of the most important being unlocking in particular in the US (I own a first gen iphone paid without subsidies and used with a pay as you go card but now that I am about to move to France I won't be able to use it their unless I jailbreak as ATT won't unlock). There is no way you can say no stealing is going on. All iphone apps are available pirated to jailbroken phones and for all paid app, this is stealing.
Missleading
The final paragraph regarding "a community whose primary motivation is the use of stolen software" is entirely false. The iPhone hacking community has always been focussed on extending the use of the hardware and were freely releasing (quite often open source) applications they had written long before Apple even announced an App Store, let alone started selling software for people to steal.
You are correct that Apple have made good strides making Jailbreaking less appealing however it's not via their threats to developers but by including more features as standard in the OS (copy & paste) and removing some of the more annoying limitations on what can be distributed on the App Store (Turn by Turn).
For me there's still enough that's blocked by the App Store conditions (Winterboard for one) meaning I'll still Jailbreak.
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