excellent point.

Just look at what the vast majority here say they want ー themes, settings, sounds, notifiers, tethering, catagories, background apps, file system, etc., etc.,

If Apple continues to (slowly) add these toys to their sandbox, the App Store's limitations begin looking a little less important... it would seem here, anyway.

"Further, those apps utilize functionality that Apple’s SDK doesn’t provide. In other words, those apps can’t be written with the official iPhone SDK."

So who is at fault here? I know who suffers in this equation, but who should I blame? Apple's limited SDK? The developers that can not work within the SDK?

I am not trying to be obtuse...I really can not fathom why software that has been proven to work on the iPhone can not officially be offered for the iPhone. For those who are much more tech saavy, this is something that can be corrected, one way or another...but as for me, I wouldn't even know where to begin when it comes to jailbreaking and I am very ignorant to the consequences/risks/benefits.

I want all the features everyone is talking about, but I don't feel I should have to jailbreak my phone to get it.

Apple should keep their phone locked it's the only way to keep us buying and buying and buying when little by little they release different features that a jailbroken phone can do already. The choice is yours. VIVA La Jailbreak.

i loved my jailbroken iphone when iphone os2.2 was the norm. it gave me the 2 biggest things i was missing: video recording and mms. better notifications, themes, backgrounding, and sms/e-mail tones were all a plus.

when 3.0 hit, my 2 biggest reasons for jailbreaking were gone. (used modified carrier file for mms.) the rest just weren't worth all the trouble when official updates gave a big enough head ache already.

but yeah apple should just let it go and leave "sideloading" as an option. they don't have to condone it but just leave it alone. let it be and concentrate on their own crippled app store first.

The odds of you causing harm is about as likely as getting struck by lighting five times while riding a pink horse in the Playboy mansion.

If something does happen just restore.

A stock Iphone is pretty worthless until it is jailbroken.

God knows how many million iPhones sold and SIX fricking SMS tones. PATHETIC!

That's why I need to jailbeak.

I liked not being limited to the App store though.

AT&T 3g is overrated and their plans are too expensive. The iPhone even jailbroken is crippled by an outdated os. So honestly I don't see any value in keeping it.

I'm still using the app store, and jailbreaking is just giving me the added tweaks I like.

@iDutch Agreed.

Go to http://help.benm.at on your iPhone Safari browser.

Download alternate carrier file, and presto! Cmon, get with the program!

"I’m not jailbroken, but wish I was. I really would like a true openssh, bash, cron, etc. I do have tethering enabled and it works like a champ over bluetooth."

How are you tethering without jailbreaking?

So, I went back to the original iPhone software (non-Jailbroken) last month.

A few days ago, I re-jailbroke because I couldn't stand going without SBSettings anymore. So, I jailbroke and now only have Cydia, SBSettings, and BiteSMS installed. Installing only these three hasn't killed the performance noticably, so I am happy there. However, it seems like the battery a bit drains faster.

I am currently rocking a 3G but am really tempted to go get a 3GS, as I think the extra memory will really be able to handle all the extra burden that these other programs add. There's supposedly better battery life too.

Thoughts on the Jailbreak 3G vs 3GS?

I also have GV but am waiting for it to be available in Canada.

I agree that for convenience of installing apps, the App Store can't be beat, and the inconvenience of losing your jailbreak after every firmware update is a big pain. However, I am more likely to hold off on firmware updates that are unnecessary in order to keep my jailbreak and my Cydia Apps that I find ARE necessary.

I also believe that some apps should not be allowed to be side loaded. I know everyone wants to use their 3G connection for certain things, but if it's against AT&T (or whoevers') TOS, I don't think it's right. If there was a way to have something like jailbreak, but a half way in between, I'd be happy with it. For example, allow apps that don't use 3G data connection for more than x MB a day of transfer that are via jailbreak, and all else is permitted and given the unofficial blessing of Apple. Then I'd be on board totally!

apple fixes these and I will not Break it.

They also don't need DMCA to oppose unlocking. If you bought a subsidized phone its breach of contract. If you paid full price, its nobody's business but yours what you do with the phone.

I also imagine that the EFF would shut up if Apple would.

@Charles Some jailbreak apps are very polished, some are not (qik, adblock, winterboard very polished, backgrounder not so much). Some are commercial, some are free. Exactly like the universe of apps you can get for your PC or Mac.

Jailbreaking is also likely targeted by Apple due to unlocking being an issue with carrier partners. If unlocking were distinct, I wonder if Apple would be indifferent to it like they seemingly are to the Apple TV jailbreak.

I recently jailbroke two months ago. There are some nice extensions in Cydia, but there is also a lot of junk apps. I now have video, backgrounder, SBSettings, and a status notifier - that's it (no nasty-looking themes for me, thank you). And the few decent apps, like GV, MMS, qTwitter, tethering, etc., etc... I just have no use for.

But even though I've had no problems at all so far, I don't  think I'll keep re-jailbreaking each time Apple puts out more updates. It's just not worth the hassle for me. I'm still using native apps and App Store apps FAR FAR more than anything from Cydia.

But, I don't advocate changing the app store. Instead I just want Apple to apply a policy of benign indifference toward jailbreaking/sideloading. Quit deliberately breaking jailbreak with each upgrade and give up calling jailbreaking illegal. If a company comes out with a slick commercial way to side load, don't block them, compete with them. I want Apple to compete on the basis of superior products/user experience, not technological lock out.

SBS Settings - tons of toggle options at your fingertips iRealQuickSMS - best sms available, once you try it, you can't live without it Stacks - a mac os staple, should already be an iphone os staple qtweeter - combined with your choice twitter client, it is unstoppable Cycorder - 3G users, lights, camera, action Qik - Stream anything, anywhere, anytime GV Mobile - nuff said Spot Bright - makes spotlight a little brighter Mobile Terminal - a hacking/programming necessity SSH - treat your phone as a wireless external drive, adding anything from custom wallpapers to homemade ringtones to .ipas iFile - navigate folders, rename, copy, .zip, transfer files, it is a computer after all Five Icon Dock - a better user experience Winterboard - customization - see above

In other words, Jailbreaking is your phone, your way, and the best of both worlds. Try it.

Apple could fix all this!