Jailbreaking... What is it? Should I do it?

The biggest thing that you'll hear about when buying an iPhone or iPod Touch is the term "jailbreaking". In this post I'll do my best to try and explain exactly what jailbreaking is, why you should do it and I'll try to direct you to the easiest ways.

Jailbreaking. What it means and why you should do it:
When Apple ships out their iPhones/iPod they're basically in jail. You can't customize your device to your liking because Apple puts restrictions on what you can't and can do. Jailbreaking means you can restore to a custom firmware that takes Apples' lock off your device and allows you to add third party applications and add/create themes to your hearts content.

What's the difference between "jailbreaking" and "unlocking".
Jailbreaking allows you to add features to your device whether it be through the Appstore, through SSH or to customize it is you see fit. Unlocking is a term used when you remove a cellular carriers restriction on the phone so it can be used under a different carrier.

Will jailbreaking void my warranty?
Asolutely NOT. There isn't anything that you could do to a jailbroken device to void the warranty. Why? If anything happens to your device all you need to do is restore it to its factory settings through iTunes. It sets the device so that it's as if you just got it out of the box.

I heard jailbreaking bricks your phone...
First of all, lets define the term "brick" or "to brick your iPhone/iPod" means to completely break your device esentially causing it to become nothing but a brick. Anyone who tells you that a jailbreak can brick your phone is lying. The only times its ever bricked are if the battery has lost its charging ability, its gotten wet and fried itself or you physically break it. There isn't anything you can do to your device during a jailbreak that can't be fixed by either giving it a hard reset or placing it in DFU mode.

OK. I'm convinced. How/where do I jailbreak?
Jailbreaking is actually really easy and have seen 11 yr olds do it. I suggest searching the iPod Touch Fans forum for information and instructions pertaining to your device. Make sure you know which generation your device is and the current firmware installed on it. or from other developers. Unlocking is a term used when you unlock your iPhone from its designated carrier (e.g. removing Rogers' restrictions to use it on the Fido network).


**Disclaimer**
I do not recommend or endorse the ability to obtain illegal applications through the jailbreaking method.