The lowdown on the latest from Cupertino including jailbreaking, overheating/cracked-screen issues, and the top five
paid and free apps
iPhone 3GS Jailbroken
The way it used to be said: For every
action there is an opposite and equal reaction
The way we say it today: For every iPhone
update there is an opposite and equal jailbreak
You can bet that as soon as the iPhone 3GS
became available studious hackers/bored programmers were delving into the sea
of code looking to break open the high-security prison that is the iPhone OS. Some
updates are as simple as sliding a credit card in between the latch and the
door jam. Others take drill presses and safe crackers. Either way the end
result is always the same, it’s just a matter of time. And the time is up on
the 3GS stronghold. This one goes to George Holtz, a developer who also
unlocked the original iPhone. This particular exploit is called purplera1n and
is available to Windows XP and Vista users only (though a Mac version is assuredly forthcoming). It is,
however, in the beta stage of development and so Holtz recommends a complete
backup of the phone prior to testing.
The purplera1n jailbreak can be found here.
Additional support is available via Holtz
blog here.
Too Hot to Handle?
Though iPhones have long been known to be a
hot commodity, they’ve also attained the more infamous reputation for over-heating. And the issue has only worsened with the release of the 3GS. Reports
coming into PCWorld even suggest that the heat is so immense that the back of
the phone is discolouring in reaction.
As for the official word, Apple has not
gone on record declaring this a ‘known issue.’ But they did recently release
the following warning:
“If the interior temperature of the device
exceeds normal operating temperatures, you may experience the following as it
attempts to regulate its temperature: the device stops charging, display dims,
and/or weak cellular signal.”
3GS Cracking Up
Another developing issue with the 3GS is
the increased possibility of the screen cracking. This is, however, a
mishandling issue more than a manufacturing defect as many of the cracked
screens being reported have come from accidental mistreatment. However, Apple
is making it easier to repair the unfortunate occurrence by adding in-store
repair for cracked screens. If your phone is under warranty and the crack is
deemed to have resulted from a defect the repair is free. However, if it is not
covered under the warranty, it’ll set you back $199. And despite what you might
think, iPod Touch’s are not eligible for in-store repair due to different
manufacturing methods between the two devices.
Top 5 Paid Apps
- Hero of Sparta
- Flight Control
- Sally’s Spa
- StoneLoops! Of Jurassica
- Tower Bloxx Deluxe 3D
Top 5 Free Apps
- Fast & Furious The Game Test Drive
- Top100Lite – Sexy Lingerie, Bikini and Swimwear Models
- Target Practice
- Room Escape
- iHandGun
