Should I Jailbreak - Advice Needed

[Forestdeath]

Hi Guys,

I have just got my iPhone and purchased an unofficial composite cable which apparently only works if I'm running OS 2.0 ... I've been looking around Google and I have come to the conclusion that if I jailbreak my phone it will only me to use this cable without any issues.

Now before I go ahead I need some advice from you guys:

If I jailbreak will it let me use this cable?
Whats the worst that can happen?
Would it be easier to downgrade to OS 2.0, If so how would I go about this?
Will my homescreen look the same?

And are there any other benefits to jail-braking?

Thanks for you time guys, I look forward to you replies

P.s I'm currently running the latest OS version.

 

[thelatinist]

I do not know whether jailbreaking will allow you to use the cable you want to use, but there are certainly benefits and relatively few drawbacks. Ultimately, though, it is a decision only you can make.

One of the biggest advantages is the ability to install third-party applications. There are many useful applications which do not meet Apple's strict criteria for inclusion in the App Store. One of the best examples is Backgrounder, an application that allows you to run applications in the background. In this way you can, for instance, continue to listen to Pandora or LastFM while browsing the web. There are hundreds of other such apps and tweaks. Basically, you double the size of the application library you have access to.

Jailbreaking by itself will not change the appearance of your home screen, but it will give you increased control of your phone's appearance and allow you to theme your phone should you someday choose to. You can change everything from icons to wallpaper to display fonts. In other words, you can customize your phone the same way you take for granted with your PC.

As for OS 2.0, depending on the model of iPhone you have, it may or may not be easy (or even possible!) to downgrade your iPhone. The 3GS, for instance, cannot be downgraded. You should also be aware that there are many great features in 3.0 that you might take for granted now but would miss. Just one example is the ability to copy and paste text.

The worst that could happen is that you would might need to restore your iPhone, perhaps by putting it in DFU mode and restoring through iTunes. You may have heard you can "brick" your iPhone trying to jailbreak it; this is old news. Since the advent of DFU mode it has been virtually impossible to make your iPhone unrecoverable except through hardware failure. Just back everything up before you start, and you will be fine.

You should also be aware that jailbreaking technically voids your warranty. Should you need service, however, it is easy to restore your phone using iTunes and erase all traces of jailbreaking before taking your phone to the genius bar or sending it in to Apple.

In the end, only you can make the decision. I hope this may have helped!

 

[labman]

Simple

Google, search, read, learn then you will know if it's right for you. Don't let strangers tell you what or isn't in your best interest.

 

[Night Spring]

While there are many many benefits to jailbreaking, if it's just to use this composite cable, the hassle surely isn't worth it. And downgrading to 2.0 just to use this cable also seems wrongheaded. Just go out and buy a cable that works with the current firmware, and chalk it up as a lesson learned that you should research before you buy!

 

[dhlizard]

While there are many many benefits to jailbreaking, if it's just to use this composite cable, the hassle surely isn't worth it. And downgrading to 2.0 just to use this cable also seems wrongheaded. Just go out and buy a cable that works with the current firmware, and chalk it up as a lesson learned that you should research before you buy!

Absolutely agree !

 

[M87]

Just do a backup in iTunes and then install the jailbreak. If you don't like it you can restore and your phone will be exactly as it was before you jailbroke it.