This insightful post explores the compelling reasons why iPhone and iPad users might want to jailbreak their devices, moving beyond the technical how-to and focusing on the practical benefits. Patrick Bisch presents a thoughtful analysis of what jailbreaking can offer users who want more control and features from their Apple devices, addressing common misconceptions along the way.
The author breaks down jailbreaking benefits into three key categories: Full Control, Customization, and Productivity. For full control, he highlights powerful tools like OpenSSH for file system access, MobileTerminal for command-line operations, and Veency for remote VNC control of your iPhone from a computer. The customization section showcases apps like Infinidock and Infiniboard for enhanced home screen layouts, plus extensive theming options available through Cydia. Most compelling is the productivity argument, featuring apps like QuickReply for responding to texts without leaving your current app, and SBSettings - which the author calls essential - for quick access to system toggles and settings.
What makes this piece specificly engaging is its balanced perspective on jailbreaking culture and the author's honest personal experiences. Rather than just listing features, Bisch explains real-world scenarios where these tools provide genuine value, like using Veency to reply to texts from your computer even when your phone is right next to you, acknowledging it's "pure laziness" but fun nonetheless.
Looking back 15 years later, the jailbreaking scene has dramatically changed. What was once a thriving community of iOS enthusiasts pushing the boundaries of Apple's locked-down ecosystem has largely diminished. Modern iOS versions have incorporated many features that jailbreakers once sought, while increased security measures have made jailbreaking increasingly difficult and less necessary for most users. This post serves as a fascinating time capsule of an era when modifying iOS devices was both more accessible and more essential for users seeking advanced features. Many of the specific apps mentioned here, like QuickReply and the original SBSettings, have either evolved importantly or become obsolete as Apple integrated similar features directly into iOS.
This summary was created by Dave Rogers. The original post was written by Patrick Bisch and published on September 1, 2010.
If you'd like to view the original post, you can find it here.