IOS 4.1 Jailbroken Already

mspohr writes "Just hours after Apple released iOS 4.1 to great fanfare, hardware hackers found a way to jailbreak devices that run the new operating system. More surprising still, there doesn't appear to be anything Steve Jobs can do to stop them in the near future. The exploit in the boot ROM of iOS devices was first announced by iPhone Dev-Team member pod2g. It was soon confirmed by other hackers, who said that because the exploit targets such a low-level part of the operating system, Apple won't be able to stop jailbreakers without making significant hardware changes."

Re:Why on earth...

[AmonTheMetalhead]

You know, you could, i don't know, buy a phone? I don't really know how it's in the States, but here in Belgium you can walk into any old store and buy a phone that comes from the manufacturer directly, no network lock-in, no crapware (other then what the manufacturer installed) and best of all, it's *yours*.

I own a HTC Legend, i don't need to jailbreak it to use it.

Re:Apple's security

[pankkake]

The last Apple jailbreak was a remote exploit, and it was left unpatched for weeks. This is very serious, yet most fanboys were just proud it was so "easy" to jailbreak their iPoos.

Re:Apple's security

[TheDarkMaster]

Never, never believe in propaganda.

Re:Come on guys

[TheRaven64]

MeeGo is the renamed version of Maemo, which is what the N900 runs already. It's Linux, X11, a custom window manager and a set of apps designed for mobile devices. Because, unlike Android, it runs X11, most desktop apps will work with just a recompile, although for best results you will want to tweak the UI for small screens.

Re:I don't like where this arms race is going...

[SpooForBrains]

They already ARE locked down at the hardware level, genius. Just try installing a custom firmware on an iphone or ipod.

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Re:I've never understood why they fight this...

[thasmudyan]

The fact that hacks keep coming out and left reasonably open for local user leads me to believe that Apple in reality don't care so much, but have an obligation to the big content producers to give "best effort" to keep the device secure.

No, Apple would like to sue jailbreakers for their last penny if they could:
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/07/feds-ok-iphone-jailbreaking/ [wired.com]

It's only after a protracted legal fight and sheer judicial coincidence that users are legally allowed to jailbreak their own devices. For the future, you can bet on two things:
1) Apple will put in a big effort to make jailbreaking more difficult even if it further undermines the usefulness of their devices for normal users
2) The courts will rule jailbreaking illegal in the long run. It escapes me how the recent ruling was even possible with the DMCA and all, rest assured they will "fix" this again.

Also, the distinction between Apple and big content producers is invalid. Apple has impossibly close ties to Disney, a content company famous for its hardcore litigation practices, shameless lobbying efforts, and unique in the way it seeks to infuse our culture with conservative religious "values".

Oh, and yeah, on a related note: I finally bought an iPad last week. I searched very hard for a real open alternative that had just the right features, there was none.

Re:the problem with these hacks

[PhilHibbs]

3.honestly? you think it's only semi-legal? You do realize it's -your- device, right? and you care that Apple wouldn't like you?

So, is it legal to saw off a shotgun, or to convert a replica gun to be functional? There are laws that govern our behaviour, and sadly the DMCA (and the ECD over here in Europe) [i]might[/i] make this kind of thing illegal, although I think there was a recent pro-jailbreaking ruling in the US that might put colonials in the clear.

Re:Apple's security

[joeyblades]

Apple never said that their products are secure, non-exploitable and virus free.

What Apple actually says is that their products come with "built-in defenses against viruses and other malware".