14 DAY TRIAL // Softpedia was surprised to find that Apple had not moderated a Discussions thread entitled “Jailbreaking” where several iPhone and iPod touch owners were actively debating whether or not jailbreaking was good. We were also able to find evidence that at least some customers jailbreak for the sole purpose of getting App Store content free of charge. This is not legal; however, jailbreaking is.
Pulled minutes after we spotted it, the thread began with user Ap4l asking, “Pardon my ignorance in this respect but what exactly does ‘jail breaking’ the ip4 mean and what are the pros & cons?”
SavageRaven replied: “Themes music and other things, that apple is to stubborn to give us.”
Poster isoToxin added: “It allows you to install software which hasn't been approved by apple, and also make modifications to the software on the device that would normally be impossible. It basically makes the iphone a far more open platform, and allows programs to be installed from other sources besides apple's own app-store.”
Another forum user, Julian Wright, tried to show the cons of jailbreaking by pointing out to Apple's official support article on the subject: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3743
iMatt.co.tv goes as far as saying that “Jailbreaking, is a beautiful thing." He elaborates: "It allows one to install custom code which Apple does not like. This code could be anything from turning your home button into an app launcher, or your volume buttons into a way to change to the next song.” He goes to explain what he has on his iPod touch and what each function does, trying to convince Ap4l that jailbreaking comes with a lot of benefits.
Wright quickly steps in and replies to iMatt.co.tv, saying “You forgot to mention the most important thing - that Jailbreaking removes the protection Apple puts on their devices, and therefore makes your device more prone to security issues, malware and other nasties.”
The last reply belongs to MultiMediaWill, who explains: “It does temporarily void your warranty but you can restore as new and apple will never know so they will help you.” He then bluntly reveals “It is worth it for me because I got installous which lets me get all the App Store games for free.”
Remember, these answers were replies to Ap4l’s question: “what exactly does 'jail breaking' the ip4 mean and what are the pros & cons?” According to the thread’s status before getting pulled, the question was “not answered.” We’d say it pretty much is.