Hackers release jailbreak for iPad and newer iPhones
'Spirit' points way to userland
Hackers have once again wrested a measure of control from Apple's iron-fisted grasp of iPads and newer iPhones with the release of jailbreaking software that allows hundreds of unapproved apps to be installed on the devices.
The package, called Spirit, was released over the weekend for devices running firmware versions 3.1.2, 3.1.3, and 3.2, which until now weren't easily freed from Steve Jobs' Howard-Hughesian control. The software allows users to customize homescreen images, tether the devices to a PC so they can be used as a modem and do other things that Apple considers verboten. It also allows users to install third-party apps from unapproved repositories such as Cydia and RockYourPhone.
Spirit works only on iPhones that have been activated and are already running an unmodified version of recent firmware. Devices that have been jailbroken by another program should be restored to 3.1.2, but users should ensure SHSH blobs have been backed up, the authors stress. It provides no support for unlocking carriers, so users will still be stuck with current mobile provider after running the software.
The untethered jailbreak allows devices to remain unlocked even after they are rebooted or plugged in to a computer. It exploits a vulnerability in the heavily locked-down "userland" section of a device, something the authors said hasn't been achieved since the early days of the iPhone. Spirit is available on both Mac OS X and Windows.
By most all accounts, installation is seamless, although the software authors report some errors for Windows users and say they can be overcome by setting the compatibility mode in Spirit to Windows 98 or 95.
They also warn that some of the apps offered by Cydia are "not designed for iPad, [and] might screw up your system and require you to restore." Step-by-step installation instructions from ReadWriteWeb are available here. ®
COMMENTS
Typical
Typical Steve Jobs fanboy, there is no trojan, it's completely legitimate and works fantastically.
Freedom! Horrible, horrible freedom!
It is a happy day in mobile land when yet another generation of downtrodden devices is emancipated from the iron-fisted grip of the jobsian cult. Oh hubris, Steve Jobs is thy name! How's your flawless pearl now, Dr Cocteau?
Okay, okay. I kid because i love.
I've used my ipod touch 3rd gen since before last xmas with no jailbreak and i did just fine.
That being said, i wholeheartedly welcome the added freedom and control. Some of the things that these shunned third party developers offer should have been integrated into the OS itself. Had apple given us these few knicknack items, there'd be no need for j-breaking (like the ability to use the touch as an external drive, etc.). I also hope that Cydia's (and other alt store's) paid-for apps do well and show that there's money to be made outside of apple's immediate circle of friends.
Keep up the fine work, lads and lasses!
Don't use RockYourPhone
RockYourPhone causes lots of problems with their version of mobilesubstrate which they edited, renamed to RockExtensions and the closed the source code. Most developers will refuse to support you until you stop using Rock.
much needed
Yay ! at last .
Jailbreaking ... makes the iphone far more desirable.
Hmmm
I've never need to jail-break any devices I own.
But then, I don't generally buy Apple products*
Lock me in?
Nah...
* apart from an iPod, which seems to work just as I expect it to.
