Some days, jailbreaking looks better and better

I don't know... the thing I tell all of my friends is that while there is some risk for jailbreaking your phone, it's minimal. The program QuickPwn makes it almost foolproof to break your iPhone. If I ever felt the need to go back to the default system, I have always been able to restore and go back to the original settings (usually when a new update comes along). My advice would be to not knock it before you try it. Sure, there's standards that Apple has set out for its product, but like you said for every Ocarina, there's always a fart app so their judgement calls can be at times a bit murky.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I agree with you, Danny. I'm not sure I would have always agreed with you, but I do now.

Actually, I'll give you the answer that I got from Apple back at WWDC, FWIW.

I have an idea for an application. Said application needs to read biometric data. Of course, the iPhone has no biometric sensors. Fortunately, there are a few companies that make biometric sensors which communicate over Bluetooth. So I asked about using Bluetooth with the iPhone.

As you said, the short answer was "No." The longer answer was a bit more interesting.

The Bluetooth stack can hang the whole machine if it is not used "correctly." Needless to say, since only Apple can be trusted to write an application "correctly," (my interpretation) and since the consequences are so dire, Apple won't let third-party developers at the Bluetooth stack.

As I was talking to the engineers in question, though, another Apple person kind of jumped in with the POV that the iPhone is a phone. I understand where he was coming from--to the consumer, the most important operation of the iPhone is that it work as a phone. Collecting biometric data, twittering, getting the high score in Crash Bandicoot, making fart noises--all those can fail. But the phone cannot. So if using Bluetooth can cause the whole kit and kaboodle to seize up and force a reset, that's not a great customer experience.

That said, I do get a bit snarky about Apple's mixed message. On the one hand, the iPhone is Apple's next big platform for third-party developers and we should be helping Apple sell more iPhones by increasing the usefulness of the device. On the other hand, "It's a phone" and it doesn't need to be anything more than that.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Well, at the end of the day, I agree that it is a phone and it needs to function as a phone first and foremost, but wouldn't you agree that Apple pushes the amazing features of the phone much more and makes us think that they look at it as much more than a phone. I mean it is obviously much more than a phone -- but what you stated right there is the perfect reason that Apple should -- and, in my opinion, ultimately will -- create a giant iPod Touch tablet that does farting, belching and biometric data.

That's a commercial right there!

Thanks for the great and informative comment.

I've jumped on the jb bandwagon a few times. I came back because I like the freedom to ssh/ftp into my device to backup app data or add a single file into FileMagnet (rather than recopy the whole folder).

Plus there a few gems that aren't available in the store, like:

PocketTouch - use the full screen to change ipod tracks or volume

IntelliScreen - cal/SMS/email/weather/rss/more on the lock screen - awesome!

qik- video streaming/upload. i don't use it much but it's a nice implementation

Apps to search your device (email, boomarks,sms)

QuickGold - like launchbar/quicksilver

As for the iPhone being a phone, it was probably a day or two before I actually made a call with it. :)

SCOTT'S REPLY: Yeah, who makes calls anymore, anyhow, right?

Hello Steve, about 3 weeks ago I sent you a screen shot of my phone after a jailbreak. I explained the mxtube app that let's u download YouTube videos to your phone. I explained the landscape key board in all applications(mail,SMS,safari, notes). I showed you my dock with 5 icons instead of 4 (the docks on the bottom: phone mail ineternet iPod). I told you the great features of having your calender displayed on your locked screen. MMS. Video recorder and upload to YouTube. If you're going to wait for Steve Jobs to give you this, then you should buy the 5th generation iPhone because by then he will give you this (maybe)

SCOTT'S REPLY: I remember the screenshot and it was really nice looking. Believe me, I noticed. 5th generation. Sigh.

Great article. It also sounds very familiar. I feel for you. Aggravation over these things is enough to push you towards the jailbreaking side. Like say getting tired of turning off Wunderadio every time an email or text comes. I know a lot of people don't mind, but many don't like doing it, but after the device has already cost over $1000 in 6 months, after you count costs and bills, Apple's refusal to add these things and shocking arrogance with refusing to add basic features and voila! People are forced to jailbreak. The ability to run multiple apps in the background, Copy/Paste, Sweep to toggle off Wifi, Video camera, better camera function, 5 things on the lock bar instead of 4, and an icon in the upper left to tell you that you have an email or it's on vibrate when on the lockscreen. It's actually maddening that you have to jailbreak to get this. If it were just one of the above then that's one thing, but there's just too much that this phone should have and doesn't. So while most people I know don't like having to do it, I have yet to meet a single person that regrets jailbreaking. The experience is so much better that it's not even a close call.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Each comment pushes me closer.

Ok, first may I mention, I am a 13 year old kid and I know a lot about the iphone. At first, I was on scott's side on jailbreaking. But now I'm on the fence. 13 year old's cant wait. I mean, my girlfriend's best friend wants to send us pictures and video's but we just say "We can't". And video is just too tempting to resist. I mean, what is the worst that could happen? U have to restore? So what? As long as u have got a good backup, ur fine. Unless there is something I'm not understanding

SCOTT'S REPLY: Nope, in most cases - most cases -- that's it. Although I still know a few people that have had their phone become completely non-functional - no restore ability - after a jailbreaking gone awry.

Apple aint stupid. Right? Absolutely not. Can we agree on that?

SCOTT'S REPLY: We most certainly can.

If there is no bluetooth than there must be a good reason . Maybe not good but certainly there is one. And the fact is that the priority of the iphone being a phone first is a good reason in my opinion.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I hope that's right.

A phone that doesnt work is a catastophe! A phone that doesnt work is more frustrating than if u cant use bluetooth headphones!!

SCOTT'S REPLY: No argument.

A phone must work at all times. Simple as that. :)Whatever the cost...

SCOTT'S REPLY: Indeed -- and if it's Bluetooth transfer vs. a phone that I can't rely on, I'll sacrifice the transfer in a heartbeat. Phone is first and foremost. That's the main reason it's in my pocket.

Thanks for the comment. Good points.

I have to disagree with your comment that being on the side of jailbreaking is being on the side of criminals, or that jailbreaking is in any way related to a crime.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I really didn't mean that in a serious way -- as in there's a crime. Cookie cop was my little mascot for a while for the whole jailbreaking thing. Sorry if it came across that way.

Personally, I see it as taking ownership of the phone I bought. I'm not renting it from Apple, so I don't see a problem with using it the way I see fit, whether I get permission from Steve Jobs or not. Quite frankly, I disagree with many of Apple's ideas of what is, and what's not important to have my phone do. I shouldn't have to unlock it to see what messages, e-mails, and calls I've received while away from my phone. I should be able to record video. I should be able to have background wallpapers or themes on the phone, and much more that every other free phone is able to do that I'm not.

I used to think I'd never jailbreak my iPhone. Since I tried it though...there's no way I'd choose to go back. Maybe once Apple stops being so restrictive with what they'll "allow" us to do to OUR phones, I'll change my mind. 'Til then, I see myself more as a cell phone liberator, than a criminal.

Those that jailbreak the phone to get apps that are available on the app store for free because they don't feel like paying for them ARE criminals, but I choose not to do that. You can jailbreak your iPhone without ripping developers off. It's all in what you choose to do.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I totally agree -- it should be entirely up to you and there's no right or wrong answer. Totally agree.

I gotta add my vote to the jailbreak side.

1. I absolutely love being able to turn 3g, bluetooth, edge, wifi and ssh on and off from within any application. It is an application called SBSettings. Look it up.

2. I also love NemusSync. It syncs my calendars with Google Calendar over the net. (It does *not* support complex recurring events properly, but that is a problem I'm willing to live with for the insane convenience.)

3. Backgrounder = keep listening to Pandora while looking up a contact = sweet.

4. Clippy Beta = copy/paste, and it works! (You can currently only select text to copy while you are in a text field: ie not a webpage, so far as I can tell.)

5. Five Icon Dock = 'nuff said.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I do understand the whole notion of you can do stuff that Apple doesn't let you do -- and that's also part of the allure - the whole breaking the rules kind of thing, you know?

iBluetooth is still a little ways away

http://www.hackint0sh.org/forum/f173/64295.htm

SCOTT'S REPLY: Yes, but just seeing it demonstrated is enough to get one excited. To me, it's mostly because I just think Bluetooth is underutilized, but apparently from what you have all told me there's good reason to underplay its role.

If the absence of features/functionality bothers anyone enough, then maybe this is not the phone they should be using. Plenty of other options out there and lots more on the horizon.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Excellent point, Brad.

I too wish it had a lot more stuff but this is old hat now. Either they address these shortcomings to your/our satisfaction or you vote with your wallet and patronize a different product that does. Palm is trying, Android is too etc. Maybe they will do it better in due time.... we'll see.

SCOTT'S REPLY: It's what I always say -- competition is good for everyone - and believe me.... Apple knows what is available via jailbreak. They know there's certain stuff that folks want to do. Whether or not we'll see it is another story, but I agree.

You know, I've jailbroken my iPhone for one single reason... there's an awesome application called "Categories", that allows you to put your iPhone apps into *folders* and overcome that stupid limit of nine pages!

Now I've installed more than 250 apps, I don't have to choose which application to delete whenever I want to install something new :-) and I'm much happier with my phone! :-)

SCOTT'S REPLY: Folders are loooonnnngggg overdue, Bruno.

I've had a jailbroken iPhone but currently, as a result of moving to 2.2, I do not. However, there are now enough compelling 'features' to attain via Cydia/Installer (like Clippy mentioned above) and options I had before (like those offered through SBSettings) that I'm thinking of going back to it again.

I won't go on about why it seems SO difficult to implement some of the cool things other non-app store developers seem to be able to do, as I feel there must be SOME reason, however 'Apple' in nature it may be.

One cool toy, Intelliscreen, comes to mind as something Apple should have already...perhaps a double (triple?)-click on the Home button could activate a Dashboard-like feature or HUD-like display for iCal events, new emails etc etc...

Come on, make it the PDA we know it can be...you know, not just a mobile phone, oh and iPod, mobile internet device, gaming platform...

SCOTT'S REPLY: I love intelliscreen, but a patent from a few months ago indicated Apple was working on something similar.

Well, here's my two cents that just may help to ease whatever fence-riding angst you might be feeling Scott.

Despite being one who first drank the Apple "Kool-Aid" decades ago and has gone back for refills time and time again... I have however, long come to the conclusion that one is damned if they do and damned if they don't with regard to most things from Cupertino.

While some may view such a reality as sad, disgusting, and/or disdainful... It's the reality of the situation nonetheless. The words "Apple" and "highly customizable" have never belonged in the same sentence with one another, yet for years I tried bucking the notion. Whether it be obsessively tinkering with the innards of desktops and laptops (while voiding many a warranty along the way)... or countless attempts at hacking the Mac OS and Newton OS to provide extra layers of functionality (all at the inevitable expense of stability). However, for me at least those days are over as it's just not worth it anymore. The inherent ease of use and peace of mind in knowing that my Mac or iPhone will just work as-is, far outweighs any desire to force said devices to do more than they were intended to do. As such, the same sentiment applies to any talk of "jailbreaking" an iPhone.

Perhaps my attitude stems from nothing more than age-related apathy, but it's far better than constantly wrestling with a company that always has and always will do what it wants, when it wants, regardless of what the unwashed masses cry out for.

Apple is unique in that it's products are, for the most part, a known quantity... In that one knows exactly what they're getting and more importantly - knows that it will generally work and work well. It's only when one tries to screw with that equation that things can go horribly awry.

Unlike years past when I would strongly recommend Apple products to anyone and everyone, these days I don't. If there is someone who clearly wants a device that will do X, Y, Z, etc. easily and without any fuss... then I say go Apple. Conversely... If I find that someone wants to this , that, and all of the others on top of what a device is designed to do... then there are far better alternatives out there and this definitely applies to the iPhone.

In the 18 months that I've owned my iPhone, it hasn't missed a single beat... Why? I feel it's largely because I haven't forced it to do anything that it wasn't explicitly designed to do. Furthermore, I bought it with full knowledge of what it could and could not do... Had I needed something more, I would have bought elsewhere.

I firmly believe that you knew exactly what you were buying with your iPhone Scott. If the phone did everything you wanted when you originally purchased it, then it's no less useful today than it was then... Not only that, with the advent of v2.0+ and the App Store, it's even more useful today than it was a year ago.

So... My vote is to stick with the devil you know rather than the devil you don't.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Adam, that was very well stated. Thank you for taking the time. I'm thinking I'm going to stay away of jailbreaking and use the phone as Apple intended for me to use it.