Jailbreak apps

By AppleVis, 4 August, 2010

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

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At the moment we only allow apps to be posted into the App Directory if they are available from the iTunes App Store.

My personal belief is that this will make it more likely that we will be treated seriously by mainstream app developers when we pressure themto improve accessibility.

However, I am aware that some people disagree with this. It can also be argued that my position has been weakened by recent changes to the legal standing of jailbreaking.

So, I would like to open up a discusion on this. Do people think that apps for jailbroken devices should be included on this site?  If so, how do you see this being implemented?

David

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Comments

By Andre Louis (not verified) on Monday, August 23, 2010 - 14:05

As someone that had to buy an iPHone from ebay, was told it was locked to his carrier only to find out that it wasn't, had to jail-break it to unlock it and now uses it, I'd sure like to know what apps fall under the accessible category as a blind person. as consumers, we have the right to, once bought, do in my opinion, what we desire with our equipment. If that means using apps not available by official channels, so long as it doesn't hurt anybody else, then really what is the problem? I came from a Nokia standpoint. I am going to miss playing oggs on my phone. I would like nothing more than to be able to play those oggs in any way I see fit, using my phone, as i could with my previous phone, and if Jailbreaking is the way that this has to be done, then so be it. Hopefully I am not the only person that feels this way either. I'm going to miss my mass-storage options too. If I can't have that, then other methods must be found. Jailbreaking will no doubt, turn up an app or two or twelve that helps with that. By all means don't allow a jailbreaking category on this site, but by doing so, you run the wrisk of cutting off a possibly large demographic. I hope you can take this comment in the spirit it was meant, and not as a demand for you to do your job in any given way. Everything expressed here is simply my opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of anybody else.

By Doug on Monday, August 23, 2010 - 14:05

I think it should also be noted that, currently the only way to unlock an IPhone, is to jail break it first. If a person wants to use an IPhone on a different carier and tether, jail breaking is the only option. So, how many blind consumers will unlock there phones, buy one of the tethering apps just to find out its inaccessible and not get a refund? Never mind, it could have all been avoided by a single review that says avoid this app because its not accessible. I would suggest the creation of a single category that's opt-in for registered users only and doesnt show up on the site unless your logged in. This will give the best of both worlds.

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Monday, August 23, 2010 - 14:05

I think that jailbroken apps should be allowed on here, with a tag marking them as only for jailbroken devices. After all, people will jailbreak to get increased functionality (especially iPad owners until iOS4 comes out, whenever that will be), and there is nothing illegal about it. Sending developers here, and having them see that jailbreak apps are reviewed, is not going to make them take you less seriously, IMHO. Besides, those that offer inaccessible jailbreak apps should have the same chance to improve their products by reading the info on this site as those who have signed up with the App Store. Since jailbreaking is legal, those who make apps outside of Apple's famous control are no less valid than those using an App Store account. Please understand that I am not saying you think this, as that is not at all my intention. All I am trying to say is that all devs should have the same chance to see that blind people really do use their products, and there is no longer a legal issue standing in the way.

By Darrell Hilliker on Monday, August 23, 2010 - 14:05

I've changed my opinion on this issue somewhat over the past couple of days, as I previously felt absolutely no jailbreak apps should be included on this site. I now think jailbreak apps should be allowed under a completely separate category in the app directory and that each post should include a disclaimer absolving applevis.com and the poster of the content from responsibility for anything bad that might happen resulting from use of the information. Keep in mind, folks, that jailbreaking your nice new iPhone 4 voids its warranty.

By Brandon B AKA … (not verified) on Monday, August 23, 2010 - 14:05

I submitted the cydia review because I thought the information should be out there. I kind of wish there was a jailbroken apps category. There's only really a small number of apps that people would want reviewed from the looking I've done in krypte, an accessible package manager. At least, in my opinion there's only a small number. I could be mistaken. It's your decision though. It would make sense if you didn't want anyone to submit jailbreak apps info.

By AppleVis on Monday, August 23, 2010 - 14:05

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

I have now added a category to the App Directory for Jailbreak Apps.

Is a single category adequate, or should there be subcategories along the lines of those for mainstraem apps?

David