If you still need help, tell us what method you used to jailbreak, so we can locate the problem.

The iPhone isn’t simply a phone – it’s a computer. It even runs the same basic operating system as a Mac: Darwin. It has the capability of doing the same things as a normal computer, and yet it can’t as Apple has severely restricted it. I can’t SSH into it, I can’t write applications that integrate with the OS… I can’t even run my own code without paying Apple, and even then I can only do it with OS X/Xcode (I’m primarily a Linux user).

Jailbreaking is basically nothing more than a few patches to allow unsigned code (i.e. code that has not been stamped with a developer’s $100 a year certificate) to run on the device and to give full access to the file system. Jailbreaking won’t drain your battery, it won’t contact the authorities, it won’t beat up your grandmother.

Yes, not all jailbreak-software is 100% stable; even my projects have had (and still have) their fair share of bugs. But at least these developers are trying. There are still a *lot* of neat/useful things that could be done via jailbreaking – if only more developers would make the attempt instead of wasting time pumping out throw-away AppStore apps.

You could take a look at our list of 15 favorites:
http://tinyurl.com/yftr6qg

Yes, I am having a lot of fun… It's rediscovering my iPhone all over again. I was wondering if anyone could list some essential JB apps I should download. Thanks 🙂

Oh Yikes – that's awful Lesley. So sorry. Can't argue with ya on the 'doh – that's not clever' side of things 🙂

Great stuff Frank. Have fun playing and let us know how it goes and all your discoveries.

So I now have a new 3GS, but don't want to deal with the hassle of a tethered jailbreak. So stock it is for me!

Ok I am officially a rebel… I jailbroke my iPhone about 5 minutes ago & WOW!!! You guys were right it literally took like 5 minutes to complete the entire process. I downloaded Google Voice immediately and I could not be happier!!! This is exactly what I have been wanting on my iPhone…. Ok guys now I have to go and play… Thanks everyone for the advice 🙂

Frank the blackra1n method seems to be the easiest I've found. Takes just a moment and you don't have to build a custom OS image to install. Good luck! 🙂

Sorry Brian, I had typed up a nice, long comment (blog post) to this, and then something happened and it disappeared. If you got it via email notification, great, otherwise I'll have to type something back up when I have another chance. 🙂 Cheers!

You're right, as Patrick mentioned I have a 3G, not a 3GS. 🙂 My concerns are in regards to jailbreaking on a 3G, therefore I'm sure the 3GS experience is going to be better as the device is faster with more memory. I would love to try a JB on a 3GS if someone wants to send me one! 😀

Hahahahaha!!! I do want one, seriously, but don't want to spend the money now, then have to spend it again next summer if Verizon launches a 4G version (just rumors but I'm waiting to see)!

LOL I got a 3GS the day they came out, turned out to be defective, then the wait time for a replacement was so long because of the shortage, that i just went back to my 3G. I'm just waiting to see what happens next summer, with the rumors of a Verizon 4G device. I will drop AT&T the moment Verizon offers an iPhone. 🙂

If you're not jailbroken, you're not getting the full iPhone experience.

I am really thinking about jailbreaking tonight…. I would love to customize my iPhone & download Google Voice. I am looking online now to find the best way to do this….

Hey Shobizz – very glad to hear you like the team thoughts stuff. Promise the Talkcast will be good to go on 12/2 – AND we've got e helluva cool guest as well 🙂 (top secret for now)

Any chance you chose to also install the Icy app store when you jailbroke? If so, I know that has caused some people very severe issues. If you did, you could try removing it via the Blackra1n app if you kept it around, or just try re-jailbreaking and de-selecting it. If you did not jailbreak with blackra1n and / or did not choose to install Icy, then ignore this advice 🙂

1 : 1,000! Don't be afraid, come to the darkside!!! Don't you just wanna try out all these cool things the crew is always talking about on here?? I wished you lived near here, i'd do it for you. With the new firmware and blackra1n it LITERALLY takes 10 seconds to do. And voila!! Your beloved iphone becomes an iphone all jacked up on steroids ready to take on the world! Just give it a shot Frank, you'll be glad you did. 🙂

@Josh: If you've waited this long you might as well wait for the newest iphone this summer….that's still pretty unbelievable that u have a 3G! LOL

@All: Love the Team thoughts…I think it is a welcome and great addition. I'm a firm believer in the power of multiple minds together, so the more perspectives about a topic, the better! Keep it up!
And no more postponing the Talkcast!! LOL

No worries Brian – as usual you comment delivered quality as well as quantity. 🙂

Sorry. Guess comments longer than the article are a bit much. Didn't realize I typed so much!