Jailbreak Me 2.0: Liberating the iPhone just got easier but is it for you?
August 2, 2010 - By Justin E. Gehrke
In case you missed last night’s buzz, the long-awaited jailbreak for iOS 4.0 has finally been released. For many iPhone 4 owners whose device came with the OS, as well as iPhone 3GS owners who upgraded to the OS, the jailbreak couldn’t come soon enough.
In a break from recent tradition, though, it isn’t Redsn0w or Blackra1n that is freeing the devices. No, this time around, the jailbreak is delivered via an all-new source, Jailbreak Me 2.0. To make what was previously a desktop-based process easier, users can complete the process directly from their device, via Mobile Safari.
That’s right. In what is being hailed by some as a technological miracle, iPhone owners can simply navigate to Jailbreakme.com and let the magic begin. The tool will work not only on the iPhone 4, with OS 4.0 but also on any previous iPhone and OS. Additionally, it will also jailbreak the Apple iPad if it is running OS 3.2.1 or below.
Of course, it is important to point out that, despite last week’s decision by the U.S. Library of Congress to loosen rules that previously included the protection of the Apple-controlled OS, jailbreaking still technically voids the device’s warranty with Apple, under their terms of use. Additionally, the process is not 100% fool-proof.
The question many people who have never jailbroken this or a previous generation iPhone have is why they would do it at all. While there are those who have done it to take advantage of less than honest sources that host cracked apps available only in the iTunes Store, many jailbreak simply to be able and download third-party apps from sources such as Cydia and Rock that Apple would never approve. One such app, called MyWi, allows users to share their device’s 3G internet connection, via Bluetooth to a device such as a WiFi iPad or their laptop, via USB cable. For some, the ability to install alternative themes that distinguish their iPhone from others is the only reason they jailbreak.
Of course, the possibility exists that something could go wrong during the simple process that renders their device unusable. Though we have yet to hear of any such cases, it doesn’t mean that it hasn’t happened. What has been confirmed is that many users report losing the ability to use FaceTime and MMS, after jailbreaking the iPhone 4.
Geek Shui Living spoke with several expert iPhone users who have extensive experience in using previous jailbreak tools. Each of them was able to recover the lost functionality. This doesn’t mean that the average user will be able to do it. If his happens to users who don’t have the required technical skill or, at a minimum, a willing friend who does, restoring the device to factory version in iTunes would be the only way to recover the functionality. For this reason, it’s imperative that anyone thinking of trying Jailbreak Me 2.0 backs up their device, by connecting it to iTunes on their computer. Ultimately, visiting the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store to ask for help with your jailbroken iPhone is not advisable.
For now, the hardest part in the jailbreak process may be establishing a successful connection to the Jailbreak Me 2.0 website. As of this morning, traffic to the website is still reported as heavy and can only be expected to increase as the news spreads further. For those brave enough to try it, there are numerous how-to’s posted around the web on how to fix MMS and FaceTime. Below is a reliable one of which we’ve been informed.
Sources:
Jailbreak Me 2.0 FAQ – Read before you jailbreak
Restoring FaceTime and MMs on a Jailbroken iPhone (Thanks to @branden3112 for his efforts in testing the jailbreak process, verifying/testing individual workarounds, and posting information for the benefit of others.)
