14 DAY TRIAL // A post referencing iOS jailbreaking has remained intact two days into its existence on the Apple Discussions official forums, in what is a surprising non-move on behalf of the Cupertino-based electronics vendor.
Historically, Apple has never tolerated forum topics on "jailbreaking", pulling such threads hours, or even minutes into their initiation.
Yet user roniligan’s post somehow managed to slip through, and stay online. Ironically, the topic title is entirely written with caps.
“I am a rookie with Iphone,” roniligan wrote on September 2. “Please help me in deciding wither should I jailbreak my Iphone 3G or not..?”
“Please tell me what is the up's and down's of doing it..?”, he asked fellow forum posters.
Discussions user itchen soon replied, telling roniligan “I strongly suggest you don't do it. Once done Apple will not repair,” he pointed out to the thread starter, referring to Apple’s policies.
“The only advantage I can see is that you are able to use or download apps from other sources,” itchen admitted.
However, “In the light of all the problems Apple are having with some of their products at the moment i would sit tight and not jailbreak it,” he said.
“I dare say you will get other advice from other people on this issue and ultimately it's down to you. Personaly [sic] i believe that Apple will sort out all these problems very soon,” itchen concluded, assuming roniligan was considering to jailbreak his iPhone 3G to rid his phone of the problems posed by iOS 4.
Poster n3nto chimed in to say “I wouldn't bother.”
“The advantages are not that great, multitasking does work if you jailbreak, you can install apps that otherwise you would not be able to and it become much more configurable but in my opinion just not worth the trouble,” he outlined.
“Dont [sic] forget you will have to install stuff that might not be that great or safe,” n3nto warned.
Others directed roniligan to Apple's official stance on jailbreaking.
We wonder - perhaps Apple let this thread be particularly because the users replying to roniligan advised against jailbreaking.
Jailbreaking the iOS, as the iPhone community refers to this hack, allows owners of an Apple handheld device to gain free access to otherwise paid apps, in addition to other benefits.
This practice is flagged by Apple in a knowledge base article on the company’s Support area, where it “strongly cautions against installing any software that hacks the iOS.”
“It is also important to note that unauthorized modification of the iOS is a violation of the iPhone end-user license agreement and because of this, Apple may deny service for an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that has installed any unauthorized software,” Apple outlines.