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Last week was a hum-dinger for iPhone users. Not only is it now legal for you to jailbreak your iPhone and take it to any carrier you please. But aside from carrier portability, what else makes jailbreaking a worthwhile endeavor?
The Apps, dear reader. The Apps.
With Apple's legendarily stringent App Store submission guidlines, there are are countless developers out there who have chosen, or in some cases were forced, to offer their wares through other outlets besides the iTunes App Store. One of the best-known and most reliable alternate iPhone App Stores out there is called Cydia. If you've already jailbroken your phone, no doubt you'll have noticed that in most cases a Cydia icon has been added to your home screen. Clicking it is arguably the easiest and safest way to find and download great software for your jailbroken iPhone. With all of Cydia's transactions handled by either PayPal or Amazon, your personal information stays just as safe as it does with Apple or any other major online retailer. Also, as when you're buying from Apple's App Store, when you purchase an application from Cydia, the software is downloaded and installed on to your handset automatically--no fuss, no muss.
To start you off right, Mac|Life has listed ten of our favorite apps available via Cydia. Some are free and some will cost you. All of them will change the way you use your iPhone and make you love it just that much more.
Smartphones are supposed to be smart... aren't they? If that's the case, then Apple's got some explaining to do. After all, who wants to tap and swipe their way through multiple apps just to keep abreast of their appointments, new messages, weather and the lastest news. Intelliscreen is an app so ingenius, that it's a wonder that Apple hasn't implemented their own version of it. The application launches with a click of your iPhone's power button, giving you at-a-glance access to the information you need to keep your daily life in order. Better still, the infomation Intelliscreen can display is fully customizable. After using the application for a few days, you'll wonder how you ever did with out it.
If you're a hardcore road warrior, you'll want to pay attention to this one. MyWi is a wonder of an application that let's you set up your iPhone 3G, 3GS or iPhone 4 as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, and without paying your carrier a single penny more than you do for your current data plan. For killer productivity on the go, try this on for size: set up a MyWi hotspot, and use it to connect your iPad's Air Display app to your Macbook for an instant second screen. That trick alone is well worth the price of admission.
In a sea of iconic black and silver, is there no room for individuality? Of course there is! Simply install Winterboard (depending on your jailbreaking method, it may already be on your iPhone), a free mod that allows you to tweak the look of the iPhone's user interface and install a multitude of themes to give your handset that little bit of flair you've been craving. You can reimagine your home screen with small alterations, such as removing that unsightly dock, or opt for a complete overhaul using a theme so far away from what Apple had in mind, you'd swear you weren't using iOS anymore.
Oftentimes, you might find yourself asking around for a sync cable to get some photos off of your device. But through the Cydia App Store, WiFi sync can eliminate your need for ever having to scramble around for a cord. WiFi Sync allows you to sync your iPhone with your iTunes library over a wireless network, cable free! Seriously, why hasn't Apple implemented something like this yet?
If you've got a hankering for some on-the-go mobile old-school gaming but sold your Sega Game Gear years ago, emulation is the only way to go. SNES4iPhone is our contender for reigning champ of the iPhone-borne emulators, allowing you to get your Mario Kart or Mortal Kombat II fix from your where ever you might be. The controls are surprisingly responsive, and most games can be played in both portrait or landscape mode. Be warned: it's only legal to get that Super Mario World party started if you still own the physical game carts of the ROMs you're planning on playing.
Next page: 3G Unrestrictor, Make It Mine, and more >>
Stefe696
March 08, 2013 at 8:27am
Pretty good ! But i still have a question : what's the name of this theme in black and white when you talk about winterboard? Thank you !
galaxus1
December 29, 2012 at 12:58pm
Unlock your iphone at extremely cheap prices from unlockiphones.info . Such a great service they offer ! 100% satisfied!
lelebuonerba
June 06, 2011 at 5:34am
Wi-fi sync can also completely screw up iTunes and prevent you from updating/restoring all (also non-jailbroken) devices, be careful!
Is Intelliscreen compatible with Whited00r custom firmware (iOS 3.1.3 based)???
Ergolad
March 19, 2011 at 3:20pm
Umm, rbbloom, you shouldn't write off Cydia based on your "G2 iPhone." Assume you mean 2G, which refers to iPod Touch models. If you meant the original iPhone, then that would be quite antiquated running iOS 3.1.3 at best, assuming you've updated the OS. Have you? If older than 3.1.2 you may run into issues. Or maybe you meant a 3G iPhone?? There are many apps that DO work, regardless of what iOS you are running. iOS compatibility can be found for apps either on their page in Cydia or through a quick Google search. More information for compatibility with the Intelliborn family of apps can be found on their web site.
Honestly it IS a bit confusing. On their download webpage it does NOT show compatibility with the original iPhone, only 3G and above. But on another one of their apps, MyWi, it shows basically being compatible with all iPhone devices. BUT the caveat is regardless of the app, they clearly state you must be running iOS 3.1.2 or higher. Are you??
Oh, and your $10? Intelliscreen came with a free trial!
All said, I use LockInfo on a 3Gs running iOS 4.0, which also came with a free trial. Awesome app.
rbbloom
February 08, 2011 at 2:20pm
After reading your article I got really excited to install Intelliscreen on my G2 iphone. So I successfully jailbroke my iphone and shelled out the $9.95 for Intelliscreen (this was more than I paid for all of my other iphone apps combined). And... it won't install :(
So my first (and last) Cydia experience cost me $10 bucks...
mazda3issexy
August 03, 2010 at 9:33pm
Orbit doesn't work for me on my 3G s running iOS 4. It sends me into safemode every tome I click an app. I uninstalled it and it fixed it. I hope they fix it.... I loved Orbit when I had 3.1.3
mazda3issexy
August 03, 2010 at 5:05pm
The winterboard theames only work for my iPhone 2g running 3.1.3. I can't get it to work on my iPhone 3Gs. I also think y'all should included BiteSMS and Orbit( iPhone Exposé)
Bite SMS allows you to reply without going into the SMS app. On the lockscreen or homescreen. Www.bitesms.com
Also extended preferences.
