6 Worthy Apps for Jailbreakers

Apple’s App Store approval process has left many developers frustrated, clueless, and even skeptical about publishing its applications on the iPhone/iPod touch’s flagship online store. 

While a majority of these developers merely modified their apps for approval on the App Store, a notable number of them publish their apps regardless. However, these applications are only available on Cydia, the extensive catalog of applications and modifications that did not (or will never) pass Apple’s seal of approval. The apps are allowed for jailbroken iPhones. To learn how to jailbreak your iPhone, please consult Google or your favorite search engine.

Without further ado, here are six applications Apple doesn’t want you to install, listed in no particular order:

1. Cycorder (http://cydia.saurik.com/info/cycorder)

I can probably say this on behalf of the iPhone 2G/3G jailbreakers: Cycorder is one of the biggest reasons why I continue to jailbreak. Developed by Jay Freeman (creator of Cydia), Cycorder is a decent quality video recorder for these devices (recording at a rate of 7-15 frames/sec), showing Apple that video recording on older devices is indeed possible. While the lack of integration to the Camera app and the video quality may not be as great or as smooth as the iPhone 3GS’s, it does provide an incentive not to upgrade to the latest and greatest iPhone at this time. 

2. iLocalis (http://www.ilocalis.com)

With reports of assault and theft being fairly common around my university campus, one must worry about belongings at all times. As much as I love my iPhone, I can’t shell out $99 a year for MobileMe and its “Find my iPhone” feature. What can I do to make sure my iPhone stays safe and trackable?

Enter iLocalis. Developed by Antonio Calatrava, iLocalis is MobileMe’s “Find my iPhone” and more, all for US$7.50 or US$25 a year depending on the package you select. On top of MobileMe’s features, it also supports remote backups, audio recordings, iPhone lock, and prevent its own uninstallation without a password.  

After hearing about robberies from my friends and being involved in an assault, I purchased this app immediately. While it may not guarantee that I will ever get my iPhone back in the event of a robbery, $25 is a good investment on priceless data and my phone, allowing me to carry my phone around at night with ease.

3. GV Mobile (http://www.seankovacs.com/index.php/gv-mobile/)

It’s been all over the blogosphere. Apple rejected the official Google Voice application several months ago, leaving users without an official Google Voice application on America’s best selling smartphone while the FCC undergoes investigation. 

However, Google Voice surfaced on Cydia several days later, in the form of GV Mobile. Developed by Sean Kovacs, GV Mobile essentially is the de facto Google Voice app on the iPhone, relieving users from accessing Google Voice from mobile Safari. I’ve used this application countless times, saving myself SMS and international calling charges.

4. iTextUploader (http://www.youarchive.it)

The iPhone can currently store up to 75,000 text messages. While many phone users delete their old text messages to conserve space or speed up the Messages app, some users would rather keep old messages for record keeping purposes while keeping the Messages app speedy. Who knows when a texting conversation will come into use down the road? Whether it’s to recall a fact, a conversation, or mere nostalgia, some text messages were meant to be kept. 

This is where iTextUploader comes into play. Developed by the people at YouArchive.It, iTextUploader uploads your entire Message database to their servers with a limit of 80,000 messages. It uploads your contacts as well, letting users able to identify phone numbers easily when viewing messages on their website. iTextUploader also provides restoration of messages as well, allowing iPhone users to restore selected messages back to their iPhone after a restore or for any other reason. By upgrading to their VIP plans for US$7.50, iTextUploader will automatically backup messages over a certain interval of time.

5. SBSettings

It currently takes a combination of four gestures to turn on Airplane Mode from the lock screen. Five for Wifi. Seven for Bluetooth. Turning these switches is a tedious and unnecessarily long task, and Apple should really consider shortening them.

With SBSettings, turning these switches on or off becomes an instant task, no matter which app you’re currently at. By sliding a finger across the status bar, SBSettings activates and slides down the screen, presenting you with toggles and basic information about your phone (IP address, free space, etc.). From there, you can select to toggle switches on or off.

Developers can also write their own toggles. One that I’ve used in particular is the Rotation Inhibitor, available for install on Cydia. This add-on blocks the code needed for the accelerometer to activate, allowing for a fixed position for sideways reading or permanent landscape mode. 

6. WinterBoard

No list of jailbroken apps is complete without WinterBoard. From customizing icons, wallpaper, ringtones, messaging alerts, and much more, WinterBoard allows full customization on the supposedly unalterable iPhone interface. Cydia currently holds thousands of WinterBoard themes, from Taylor Swift ringtones to Halo ODST wallpapers.

However, from reports and first hand experience, installing too many themes or graphic-intensive items slows down the iPhone significantly. Therefore, choose your themes wisely.

There are currently hundreds of different apps not listed here on Cydia. These apps provide jailbroken iPhone users complete freedom of their phone not available via the App Store. 

Are there any apps you believe are worth jailbreaking for? Sound off in the comments.