What does jail breaking an iPad give you?

abeaty · 07-09-2010, 02:04 AM

If you jailbreak it, can you unjailbreak it too?

Thanks.

toddos · 07-09-2010, 03:51 AM

Multi-tasking (proper, apps running in the background multitasking) is one of the biggest reasons to jailbreak. Also the ability to run apps that Apple doesn't want in the iTunes store (like wifi syncing with iTunes), tethering (for 3G iPads and iPhones) without having to pay an extra $30/mo, the ability to run iphone/ipod apps full-screen (doesn't work well for every iphone/ipod app, but works great with the facebook app), and much more. Essentially it lets you use your iPad the way you want to, not the way Apple wants you to.

Once jailbroken, there's no need to unjailbreak. iTunes store apps continue to work just fine. Jailbreaking only adds additional features. However if you do ever want to un-jailbreak, you can simply restore an older backup, or reset the iPad to factory, or install an OS upgrade that hasn't yet been jailbroken. If you're worried about warranty support, it's easy enough to take a backup and then reset your iPad to factory before taking it into the store.

Note: I don't have an iPad, but I've jailbroken my iPhone in the past. I upgraded to iOS 4 which undid the jailbreak, so I'm waiting for the new Spirit-style jailbreak to ship (should be right after Apple ships 4.0.1).

Bremen Cole · 07-09-2010, 07:39 AM

I find no reason to JB my iPad, but have a JB iPhone 3G. I did the iPhone simply because I wanted to tether it to the iPad.

If the multi-tasking is really important to you, the JB is what you need to do (at least until iOS 4 arrives). The downside to JB is there can be problems in the process and you have to restore your iPad.... there is little danger you would actually "brick" you iPad... Also, a JB iPad getting unauthorized apps is also open to virus/spyware, and very poorly written app issues, with zero quality control......

Here is a forum with lot's of info about JB/Hacking your iPad http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-hacking/

So you weigh the pluses and minuses and decide for yourself

I don't see the need for me, but I am not you.....

ForceMd · 07-09-2010, 09:05 AM

I have jailbroken my IPAD for the sole purpose of allowing multi-tasking. Now I do not believe that I could be able to use the IPAD without multitasking and not be annoyed at it. Simple things like being able to listen to NPR while surfing the net just make it seem like this is how it is supposed to work.

ForceMd · 07-09-2010, 09:07 AM

P.S. -I haven't noticed any dramatic impact on battery performance, but you do have to watch the RAM particularly if you backround any third party web browsers.

owl123 · 07-09-2010, 09:16 AM

These are the reasons I've jailbroken my iPad:

1. Fast wi-fi and bluetooth switch
2. Additional apps via Cydia
3. Ability to hide unneeded icons.
4. Ability to change brightness from within any app.
5. iPhone/iPod apps in full-screen high resolution.
6. Multitasking with Backgrounder and ProSwitcher.

Bremen Cole · 07-09-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owl123

These are the reasons I've jailbroken my iPad:

1. Fast wi-fi and bluetooth switch
2. Additional apps via Cydia
3. Ability to hide unneeded icons.
4. Ability to change brightness from within any app.
5. iPhone/iPod apps in full-screen high resolution.
6. Multitasking with Backgrounder and ProSwitcher.

Your number 1 is a gripe I have on the iPhone and iPad. I have noticed that with WIFI off the iPad's battery life is improved by quite a bit. A simple and quick way to switch WIFI on and off would be a big help. Not worth it to me to JB, but still a pain the way it is now... What I would really like is a programmable hardware switch or two. Like the orientation switch, which I don't use... if there was a simple way to program it to turn off WIFI instead..... anyway, sorry if I'm too far OT.....

Lotus Esprit · 07-09-2010, 11:51 AM

Basically you can thumb your nose at Apple's development policy.

Fotoman · 07-09-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owl123

2. Additional apps via Cydia

Anything notable?

I have my iPhone JB'd but just for using it as a wifi hotspot with MyWi and also use SBswitch but I've never poked around Cydia to see what worthwhile iPad apps may be there.

dhiru · 07-09-2010, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owl123

These are the reasons I've jailbroken my iPad:

1. Fast wi-fi and bluetooth switch
2. Additional apps via Cydia
3. Ability to hide unneeded icons.
4. Ability to change brightness from within any app.
5. iPhone/iPod apps in full-screen high resolution.
6. Multitasking with Backgrounder and ProSwitcher.

In addtition to above-
1. Root access to document folder of all apps. This helps in creating folders (if supported by app) and you can directly copy folders.
2. In kindle app u can tranfer your books as well as mobifeeds directly.
3. Now frash ( flash support)
4. Abilty run apps like byline in ipad rsolution with full force

Fat Abe · 08-10-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddos

However if you do ever want to un-jailbreak, you can simply restore an older backup, or reset the iPad to factory, or install an OS upgrade that hasn't yet been jailbroken. If you're worried about warranty support, it's easy enough to take a backup and then reset your iPad to factory before taking it into the store.

Are there foolproof data backup schemes? I've seen a lot of backup software in the $20 - $30 price range, some with good reviews on CNET, but who has dared to try them with a fully loaded iPad? A true backup should allow you to get everything (i.e., non-DRM'ed content) off of one iPad, transfer it to a PC, and then install it on a second iPad.

4-eyes · 08-17-2010, 06:56 PM

(I've got an iPhone not an iPad but the principle is the same)

The best thing about Jailbreaking for me is that you can use the Kindle books app to buy Kindle titles, then use scp/sftp to copy the files across to a PC (after you install OpenSSH through Cydia) and remove the DRM (python scripts for extracting PID and removing DRM) and convert to a format of your choice (via Calibre).

Obviously this takes a bit of work/tech savvy but Google is your friend here.

It's significantly increased my choice of titles for my Sony eBook readers. Worth it for that alone, IMO.

VictoriaP · 08-17-2010, 09:09 PM

I hadn't planned on jailbreaking my iPad, only my iPhone. But after using jailbreakme.com on the phone yesterday and seeing no real decrease in performance, I went ahead and did the same for the iPad.

All I'm running on the iPad at this point is SBSettings and Categories/CategoriesSB--but oh my word, I'm in love. To me, it's a BIG improvement over Apple's implementation of folders in iOS4. In fact, I like it so much better, I'm going to start using Categories on the iPhone 4 in place of Apple's folders! And SBSettings is how Apple should be doing their Settings instead--quick, easy access to the tools you use the most, without navigating through multiple menus just to switch Bluetooth on or off, for example.

I doubt I'll ever go back to stock firmware after this.

toddos · 08-18-2010, 04:56 AM

Try installing Backgrounder (proper multi-tasking) and FullForce (run iPhone apps full-screen, like Facebook). I think you'll be pretty happy with those.

dwharrison · 08-18-2010, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-eyes

The best thing about Jailbreaking for me is that you can use the Kindle books app to buy Kindle titles, then use scp/sftp to copy the files across to a PC (after you install OpenSSH through Cydia) and remove the DRM (python scripts for extracting PID and removing DRM) and convert to a format of your choice (via Calibre).

There are easier methods involving Kindle4PC.

07-09-2010, 02:04 AM	#1
abeaty Enthusiast Posts: 44 Karma: 14 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kindle Paperweight	What does jail breaking an iPad give you? If you jailbreak it, can you unjailbreak it too? Thanks.

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07-09-2010, 03:51 AM	#2
toddos Guru Posts: 695 Karma: 822675 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Kobo Aura, Nokia Lumia 920 (Freda)	Multi-tasking (proper, apps running in the background multitasking) is one of the biggest reasons to jailbreak. Also the ability to run apps that Apple doesn't want in the iTunes store (like wifi syncing with iTunes), tethering (for 3G iPads and iPhones) without having to pay an extra $30/mo, the ability to run iphone/ipod apps full-screen (doesn't work well for every iphone/ipod app, but works great with the facebook app), and much more. Essentially it lets you use your iPad the way you want to, not the way Apple wants you to. Once jailbroken, there's no need to unjailbreak. iTunes store apps continue to work just fine. Jailbreaking only adds additional features. However if you do ever want to un-jailbreak, you can simply restore an older backup, or reset the iPad to factory, or install an OS upgrade that hasn't yet been jailbroken. If you're worried about warranty support, it's easy enough to take a backup and then reset your iPad to factory before taking it into the store. Note: I don't have an iPad, but I've jailbroken my iPhone in the past. I upgraded to iOS 4 which undid the jailbreak, so I'm waiting for the new Spirit-style jailbreak to ship (should be right after Apple ships 4.0.1).

07-09-2010, 07:39 AM	#3
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	I find no reason to JB my iPad, but have a JB iPhone 3G. I did the iPhone simply because I wanted to tether it to the iPad. If the multi-tasking is really important to you, the JB is what you need to do (at least until iOS 4 arrives). The downside to JB is there can be problems in the process and you have to restore your iPad.... there is little danger you would actually "brick" you iPad... Also, a JB iPad getting unauthorized apps is also open to virus/spyware, and very poorly written app issues, with zero quality control...... Here is a forum with lot's of info about JB/Hacking your iPad http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-hacking/ So you weigh the pluses and minuses and decide for yourself I don't see the need for me, but I am not you.....

07-09-2010, 09:05 AM	#4
ForceMd Member Posts: 15 Karma: 58 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad: (Thinks to himself; Kindle or Nook; Hmmm...)	I have jailbroken my IPAD for the sole purpose of allowing multi-tasking. Now I do not believe that I could be able to use the IPAD without multitasking and not be annoyed at it. Simple things like being able to listen to NPR while surfing the net just make it seem like this is how it is supposed to work.

07-09-2010, 09:07 AM	#5
ForceMd Member Posts: 15 Karma: 58 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad: (Thinks to himself; Kindle or Nook; Hmmm...)	P.S. -I haven't noticed any dramatic impact on battery performance, but you do have to watch the RAM particularly if you backround any third party web browsers.

07-09-2010, 09:16 AM	#6
owl123 Addict Posts: 234 Karma: 214 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy NotePro 12.2, InkBook	These are the reasons I've jailbroken my iPad: 1. Fast wi-fi and bluetooth switch 2. Additional apps via Cydia 3. Ability to hide unneeded icons. 4. Ability to change brightness from within any app. 5. iPhone/iPod apps in full-screen high resolution. 6. Multitasking with Backgrounder and ProSwitcher.

07-09-2010, 11:51 AM	#8
Lotus Esprit Addict Posts: 214 Karma: 646 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: iPad	Basically you can thumb your nose at Apple's development policy.

08-17-2010, 06:56 PM	#12
4-eyes Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-300	(I've got an iPhone not an iPad but the principle is the same) The best thing about Jailbreaking for me is that you can use the Kindle books app to buy Kindle titles, then use scp/sftp to copy the files across to a PC (after you install OpenSSH through Cydia) and remove the DRM (python scripts for extracting PID and removing DRM) and convert to a format of your choice (via Calibre). Obviously this takes a bit of work/tech savvy but Google is your friend here. It's significantly increased my choice of titles for my Sony eBook readers. Worth it for that alone, IMO.

08-17-2010, 09:09 PM	#13
VictoriaP Addict Posts: 298 Karma: 491576 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle PW2; Kindle Touch; Kindle 2; iPad Mini; iPad1	I hadn't planned on jailbreaking my iPad, only my iPhone. But after using jailbreakme.com on the phone yesterday and seeing no real decrease in performance, I went ahead and did the same for the iPad. All I'm running on the iPad at this point is SBSettings and Categories/CategoriesSB--but oh my word, I'm in love. To me, it's a BIG improvement over Apple's implementation of folders in iOS4. In fact, I like it so much better, I'm going to start using Categories on the iPhone 4 in place of Apple's folders! And SBSettings is how Apple should be doing their Settings instead--quick, easy access to the tools you use the most, without navigating through multiple menus just to switch Bluetooth on or off, for example. I doubt I'll ever go back to stock firmware after this.

08-18-2010, 04:56 AM	#14
toddos Guru Posts: 695 Karma: 822675 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Kobo Aura, Nokia Lumia 920 (Freda)	Try installing Backgrounder (proper multi-tasking) and FullForce (run iPhone apps full-screen, like Facebook). I think you'll be pretty happy with those.

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