Why Jailbreak? (Short answer needed)

[dichertz]

I know this is a "mod" forum and I should look in this forum before I ask this question, but I am not a deeply computer savvy programmer/hacker and I don't understand much of what is here.

I understand that Jailbreaking my IPhone allows me to use other carriers and use apps that are not allowed on the IPhone.

Other than those two reasons, WHY should I unlock my phone?
What are the benefits to a non-hacker?
What are the most popular "things" to do to an unlocked phone, and how difficult are they to perform by a non-hacker?

I will continue to look through the posts, but if anyone has a quick answer I would appreciate it.

Thanks
Dana

[siantslil23]

well w/o jailbreaking the iphone, i thought it was very dull and boring...
but after jailbreaking it, its interesting how theres something to download on installerapp.
makes my iphone more fun...

[jaydoc1]

I know this is a "mod" forum and I should look in this forum before I ask this question, but I am not a deeply computer savvy programmer/hacker and I don't understand much of what is here.

I understand that Jailbreaking my IPhone allows me to use other carriers and use apps that are not allowed on the IPhone.

Other than those two reasons, WHY should I unlock my phone?
What are the benefits to a non-hacker?
What are the most popular "things" to do to an unlocked phone, and how difficult are they to perform by a non-hacker?

I will continue to look through the posts, but if anyone has a quick answer I would appreciate it.

Thanks
Dana

First off you are talking about two different things in your question.

Unlocking means to mod your phone so that it can be used on other carriers.

Jailbreaking allows you to add third party applications to your iPhone.

For myself the best thing on my jailbroken (not unlocked) 1.1.1 phone is the ability to customize the look of the screen (using Summerboard or Customize) and to play NES games. I also use a program called Lockbox to store all my credit card numbers, passwords, and other confidential information.

Other than that I like Mobilefinder because I can send full-resolution photos from the phone.

Hope this helps,

J

[Lincoln]

Unfortunately, explaining jailbreaking and unlocking does not go along with a short post. But here goes.

Unlocking - basically, this is for those people who either don't like AT&T (or whatever carrier they're stuck with), like a different carrier and want to switch, or like going against Apple's rules. While unlocking can be done with the click of the button, and requires only software, it can create issues.

Updating and restoring is a pain in the ass when you've unlocked, an I've heard numerous other issues being caused by it. Of course, there isn't a 100% chance that they'll happen to you - but it's possible.

Jailbreaking- Exactly what it says it is; it lets your iPhone out of "jail'. By jailbreaking, you can download hundreds of packages and applications right off your iPhone. But the applications are not supported by Apple; and not necessarily nade to work seamlessly with the iPhone.

It doesn't happen to everyone, but I've jailbroken and Restored 8 times now - each becuse the jailbreaking caused by phone to be extremely unstable, and caused fast loss of battery life.

But some people absolutely can not live with additional applications. It's a must for them. However, Apple is releasing an SDK (Software Development Kit) in February. This will allow you to download third-party applications from Apple, with Apple permission.

Hope this helps clear some things up.

[dichertz]

Thanks to all.

I do not want to unlock my phone. I may be alone on this one, but I have no major problems with ATT.

I have no aversion to jailbreaking my phone, but definitely cannot afford to have a phone go down (or become unstable).

Also, after looking through this forum , I noticed that I (unfortunately for me) updated my IPhone thorough I Tunes to version 1.1.2.

Now apparently I have to DOWNgrade my phone back to 1.1.1.
Is this a problem?

Dana

[meiphones_brill]

downgrading, jailbreaking upgrading and jailbreaking again is quite straightforward particularly on an activated locked phone, just a few things to download and you're set to go. You'd be backtogether in half an hour max. iTunes will restore your data for you.
hope this helps

[Hmind]

I know this is a "mod" forum and I should look in this forum before I ask this question, but I am not a deeply computer savvy programmer/hacker and I don't understand much of what is here.

I understand that Jailbreaking my IPhone allows me to use other carriers and use apps that are not allowed on the IPhone.

Other than those two reasons, WHY should I unlock my phone?
What are the benefits to a non-hacker?
What are the most popular "things" to do to an unlocked phone, and how difficult are they to perform by a non-hacker?

I will continue to look through the posts, but if anyone has a quick answer I would appreciate it.

Thanks
Dana


Why not?

(you said short answer :) )

[dichertz]

You know, Hmind.
That answer is how I live my life.

Dana