iPhone and iPod Users Can Now Download Jailbreak App

Jailbreakme 2.0, a free software utility that makes it possible for users to jailbreak any iPhone and iPod device, running on iOS4, has been released. As a result, people can now decide whether or not they want their iPhones or iPod touches to run non-Apple programs on their devices without fear of reprisals from Apple. While obtaining previous jailbreaking and cracking applications was only possible through an external computer, Jailbreakme 2.0 can be downloaded directly from the iPhone’s browser.

The news of the launch comes a week after American regulators announced that it was lawful to hack or jailbreak an iPhone. Although Apple argued that the use of Jailbreakers broke the United States copyright law, the country’s Copyright Office ruled that “the practice of removing restrictions on third-party applications fell under fair use guidelines” thus an iPhone can be unlocked to install unofficial applications.  The office further maintained that “the user is not engaging in any commercial exploitation of the firmware…at least not when the jailbreaking is done for the user’s own private use of the device.”

However, an Apple statement (last week) warned users against using jailbreaking applications – “.. As we’ve said before, the vast majority of customers do not jailbreak their iPhones as this can violate the warranty and can cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably“. Thus, users who jailbreak their devices, do so at their own risk. While demand for the Jailbreakme 2.0 app is increasing steadily, a few iPhone owners are already reporting the loss of FaceTime and multimedia messaging services.

Talking Point

Do you think that a similar rule should be applied to downloading movies, games and music on the Internet – as long as the user is not engaging in any commercial activity ?