Hackers 'jailbreak' Apple's pre-release iPhone OS 4 beta
Less than 24 hours after Apple had revealed its preview of iPhone OS 4.0 and made it available to developers, hackers revealed they had successfully manage to run an unauthorized VNC client on the mobile operating system.
A hacker from the iPhone Dev Team who goes by the handle MuscleNerd uploaded on Friday a video of an iPhone 3GS running the iPhone OS 4 beta, as well as Veency, which is virtual network computing software available as an unauthorized application for the iPhone. To run software like Veency, an iPhone must be "jailbroken," which is the name given to a process that allows users to run unauthorized code on Apple's handset.
He noted via his Twitter account that Apple's pre-release betas are "very" buggy, and cautioned users not to test it on their own iPhone.
The hacker also took issue with Apple's claim made Thursday that hardware restrictions have prevented multitasking from being enabled on older iPhone hardware. In addition to existing unauthorized jailbreak solutions for multitasking, the hacking community has also released software to enable MMS functionality on the first-generation iPhone.
The latest development is by no means confirmation that any jailbreaking methods will work with iPhone OS 4.0 when it ships. It's likely that Apple will make changes to thwart those exploits before the software update is made available this summer.
It's also expected that Apple will build in new hardware security features in its next-generation iPhone, due to be announced this summer. Late last year, Apple became more aggressive against jailbreak attempts when it quietly updated the BootROM in the iPhone 3GS to thwart potential hackers. It marked the first time ever that the handset maker had modified its hardware in the middle of a product line, without a new model released.<
Earlier this week, MuscleNerd demoed a new jailbreak method that was said to work with Apple's iPad, iPhone 3GS and third-generation iPod touch. The software has not yet been released publicly, but could allow users of the latest hardware revision of the iPhone 3GS to unlock their handset for use on alternative carriers. There is no need to unlock the iPad, which does not ship with a carrier lock.
The warranty-voiding jailbreak process can also allow users to run software Apple does not allow. Hackers have created their own custom applications that Apple might not allow in the App Store. Jailbreaking can also be used to pirate App Store software, one major reason why Apple has fought the practice.
Apple currently has no plans to allow users to install third-party applications downloaded from outside it sanctioned App Store. On Thursday, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs cited an unsanctioned pornography store available for the Google Android platform as a reason to not support unsigned applications. "That's a place we don't want to go," Jobs said, "so we're not going to."
A hacker from the iPhone Dev Team who goes by the handle MuscleNerd uploaded on Friday a video of an iPhone 3GS running the iPhone OS 4 beta, as well as Veency, which is virtual network computing software available as an unauthorized application for the iPhone. To run software like Veency, an iPhone must be "jailbroken," which is the name given to a process that allows users to run unauthorized code on Apple's handset.
He noted via his Twitter account that Apple's pre-release betas are "very" buggy, and cautioned users not to test it on their own iPhone.
The hacker also took issue with Apple's claim made Thursday that hardware restrictions have prevented multitasking from being enabled on older iPhone hardware. In addition to existing unauthorized jailbreak solutions for multitasking, the hacking community has also released software to enable MMS functionality on the first-generation iPhone.
The latest development is by no means confirmation that any jailbreaking methods will work with iPhone OS 4.0 when it ships. It's likely that Apple will make changes to thwart those exploits before the software update is made available this summer.
It's also expected that Apple will build in new hardware security features in its next-generation iPhone, due to be announced this summer. Late last year, Apple became more aggressive against jailbreak attempts when it quietly updated the BootROM in the iPhone 3GS to thwart potential hackers. It marked the first time ever that the handset maker had modified its hardware in the middle of a product line, without a new model released.<
Earlier this week, MuscleNerd demoed a new jailbreak method that was said to work with Apple's iPad, iPhone 3GS and third-generation iPod touch. The software has not yet been released publicly, but could allow users of the latest hardware revision of the iPhone 3GS to unlock their handset for use on alternative carriers. There is no need to unlock the iPad, which does not ship with a carrier lock.
The warranty-voiding jailbreak process can also allow users to run software Apple does not allow. Hackers have created their own custom applications that Apple might not allow in the App Store. Jailbreaking can also be used to pirate App Store software, one major reason why Apple has fought the practice.
Apple currently has no plans to allow users to install third-party applications downloaded from outside it sanctioned App Store. On Thursday, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs cited an unsanctioned pornography store available for the Google Android platform as a reason to not support unsigned applications. "That's a place we don't want to go," Jobs said, "so we're not going to."
Comments
They do not belong to the Apple platform, because they're not needed there.
What's the point in trying to ruin a good solution several people have worked so hard on creating?
I don't care for hackers.
They do not belong to the Apple platform, because they're not needed there.
What's the point in trying to ruin a good solution several people have worked so hard on creating?
Most of them are too cheap to buy software.
I don't care for hackers.
They do not belong to the Apple platform, because they're not needed there.
What's the point in trying to ruin a good solution several people have worked so hard on creating?
They are not trying to ruin anything., They are trying to make it better.
I don't care for hackers.
They do not belong to the Apple platform, because they're not needed there.
What's the point in trying to ruin a good solution several people have worked so hard on creating?
There's a few great programs that require jailbreaking to be able to use. It's not just for people who want to pirate software. I use:
- 5 icon dock (lets you put 5 icons on your iPhone dock)
- MiWi (lets you share your 3G internet connection with other devices)
- Poof (lets you hide unwanted app icons, even where Apple won't let you, like the stocks app)
There's a few great programs that require jailbreaking to be able to use. It's not just for people who want to pirate software. I use:
- 5 icon dock (lets you put 5 icons on your iPhone dock)
- MiWi (lets you share your 3G internet connection with other devices)
- Poof (lets you hide unwanted app icons, even where Apple won't let you, like the stocks app)
Along with:
ProSwitch for on-the-fly app switching
Backgrounder - background tasks
iRealSMS - in-app texting
SBSettings - quick status bar access to most commonly used iPhone settings
And so many more apps that Apple won't approve but make using the iPhone so much easier and more efficient.
They are not trying to ruin anything., They are trying to make it better.
Bull. They're not trying to make squat better - they just want to "see if they can" because it's nothing but a challenge for them to try and prove themselves...
Lot of people are of the "Woz notion" that computers and devices should be open and obey the owner.
The "Jobs notion" is people are ignorant, their devices need to be closed and controlled by mother Apple.
I agree for some the Job's way is the right way, but for most others the Woz way is the better path as proven by the open nature of desktop PC's flooding the world.
My guess would be some sort of compromise, allowing advanced users more control over their devices, but not as detrimental as jail-breaking software and the risks it's entails.
Hackers like him like to spin it into some kind of conspiracy that Apple is doing something to screw their users.
Apple's first priority is to provide a seamless and pleasant user experience. That's first and foremost. The first moment that things start falling apart because the CPU cannot handle the load is the moment the anti-Apple fanboys will jump on the "crappy" Apple experience.
I would bet that Apple tried some kind of variation of 4.0 on a 2G iPhone and decided the experience was not up to Apple's high-standards. Good for them.
I'm an owner of a 2G phone. I'm not in the least bit upset that my phone will not support 4.0. I acknowledge that Apple went as far as they could go with my almost 3-year old hardware. That does not mean my phone has lost its usability. I will happily retire it to a development phone and eagerly wait for the next iPhone hardware.
Go and jailbreak your 2G iPhone and see how much of a hit multitasking takes on it. I've seen it in action on other friend's iPhones and frankly, it sucks.
I don't care for hackers.
They do not belong to the Apple platform, because they're not needed there.
What's the point in trying to ruin a good solution several people have worked so hard on creating?
In a way, Apple's deathgrip on the iPhone is why they exist.
Bull. They're not trying to make squat better - they just want to "see if they can" because it's nothing but a challenge for them to try and prove themselves...
In a way, this is true. I see them as combat engineers. They're the ones that break through the "defenses" Apple has thrown up to keep the iPhone looking the way they want. This opens the door for the others to come in and get apps, like the ones listed above, to better the user experience.
Of course, all of this is "do at your own risk".
The hacker also took issue with Apple's claim made Thursday that hardware restrictions have prevented multitasking from being enabled on older iPhone hardware. In addition to existing unauthorized jailbreak solutions for multitasking, the hacking community has also released software to enable MMS functionality on the first-generation iPhone.
Technically, you could probably program some primitive thing that, by the truest definition, was a kind of multitasking for the chip in your microwave oven.
What Apple really means by early iPhone OS devices not supporting multitasking is, “not supporting multitasking in a useful way.” In that case, “multitasking” doesn’t just mean anything, it means the new, efficient methods Apple is using to prevent the very real problems (freezes, sluggishness, reboots, manual process-management hassle) caused by multitasking on Android and others. And “useful” is subjective: jailbreakers may put up with a lot more grief than is acceptable to ship to the general public.
One bottleneck is definitely RAM: previous-gen devices have half the RAM. When an app suddenly exits on your “single-tasking” iPhone, that’s probably why. These devices are already pushing their RAM limits.
Jailbreakers get multitasking to work, yes. Sometimes. Depending on which apps you are using, and which way the groundhog’s shadow falls. That’s not good enough for Apple to call “supported,” and I tend to agree. I can imagine if RAM were made any MORE tight than it already is on my 3G iPhone, and it made me expect this limitation even before the announcement was made.
I’ve even heard from frustrated app developers that jailbreakers give their apps 1-star rating for crashing too much. The jailbreakers are seemingly unaware that they’ve done anything that uses RAM. But of course everything from home screen mods to expanded multitasking DOES use RAM. Some apps have RAM to spare, but some will just crash. YMMV. But one can’t just say “multitasking works” with jailbreaking and not qualify the statement with “sometimes."
I don't care for hackers.
They do not belong to the Apple platform, because they're not needed there.
What's the point in trying to ruin a good solution several people have worked so hard on creating?
Some people destroy just to destroy. They’re insecure and so they key a car or steal a password. But that applies to “crackers” to use the proper term. The term “hackers,” properly used, it not a bad thing. It means essentially “tinkerers.” People who fool around with things and see what they can be made to do. Sometimes that’s useful! At worst, it’s fun. But then the term often gets applied to crackers: the truly malicious people out to break and steal.
Does Steve Jobs have no balls, or what?
There is obviously a problem if so many people jailbreak their Apple devices.
Lot of people are of the "Woz notion" that computers and devices should be open and obey the owner.
The "Jobs notion" is people are ignorant, their devices need to be closed and controlled by mother Apple.
I agree for some the Job's way is the right way, but for most others the Woz way is the better path as proven by the open nature of desktop PC's flooding the world.
My guess would be some sort of compromise, allowing advanced users more control over their devices, but not as detrimental as jail-breaking software and the risks it's entails.
The sad reality is that most people ARE ignorant. If they were all power users, we would have no need for security, anti-viruses, and OSX. Windows would have no need for security since everyone would know what not to do. That's an idealistic viewpoint but it's valid. I think that's where Apple is leading the way because they recognize the ignorance of people and try everything they can to design their products that a kid in kindergarten can pick up and use.
Like it or not, I think that is the path in the long run.
There's a few great programs that require jailbreaking to be able to use. It's not just for people who want to pirate software. I use:
- 5 icon dock (lets you put 5 icons on your iPhone dock)
- MiWi (lets you share your 3G internet connection with other devices)
- Poof (lets you hide unwanted app icons, even where Apple won't let you, like the stocks app)
Have you seen LockInfo 2? PS: When you're making a case for jailbreaking not just being for pirates including MiWi doesn't really help considering that most carriers don't allow tethering without paying extra, or with AT&T, at all.
*eek!* Porn!
Does Steve Jobs have no balls, or what?
Like it or not, Apple is out to create a quality experience. And that has real downsides. Just don?t forget it also has real advantages.
Those who want balls have Safari to provide that anyway.
Along with:
ProSwitch for on-the-fly app switching
Backgrounder - background tasks
iRealSMS - in-app texting
SBSettings - quick status bar access to most commonly used iPhone settings
And so many more apps that Apple won't approve but make using the iPhone so much easier and more efficient.
Apple allows in-app texting with v4.0.
Along with:
ProSwitch for on-the-fly app switching
Backgrounder - background tasks
iRealSMS - in-app texting
SBSettings - quick status bar access to most commonly used iPhone settings
And so many more apps that Apple won't approve but make using the iPhone so much easier and more efficient.
GV Mobile+ - Let's not forget this one everyone. :-)
Some people destroy just to destroy. They?re insecure and so they key a car or steal a password. But that applies to ?crackers? to use the proper term. The term ?hackers,? properly used, it not a bad thing. It means essentially ?tinkerers.? People who fool around with things and see what they can be made to do. Sometimes that?s useful! At worst, it?s fun. But then the term often gets applied to crackers: the truly malicious people out to break and steal.
Actually I'm very aware of what the term "hacker" really mean.
And in my opinion, they should stay away from a very stable OS.
By jailbreaking your iPhone OS-device you are enabling unpredictable behavior
and you'll ruin the simplicity and stability that is Apples trademark.
In other words: don't fix what ain't broken.
I?ve even heard from frustrated app developers that jailbreakers give their apps 1-star rating for crashing too much. The jailbreakers are seemingly unaware that they?ve done anything that uses RAM. But of course everything from home screen mods to expanded multitasking DOES use RAM. Some apps have RAM to spare, but some will just crash. YMMV. But one can?t just say ?multitasking works? with jailbreaking and not qualify the statement with ?sometimes."
This is the guts of the jailbreaking issue I think. If you want to jailbreak your phone, by all means go right ahead. But the moment that is done, you've lost all rights to complain as to why application stability goes out the door.
Of course, Jailbreakers will never admit that their phone-cracking is the cause of apps blowing up. That would just be way too easy a reason for them to accept.