Legal Hack JailbreakMe Released For iPhone 4

JailbreakMe 2.0, by “comex et al,” is available at www.jailbreakme.com through the iPhone’s mobile Safari browser, according to the Web site. The jailbreak allows users to run apps and themes not necessarily approved by Apple.

Just last week, jailbreaking was one of six classes of works to receive a legal exemption to the Digital Millenmium Copyright Act by the Library of Congress. Specifically, the U.S. Copyright Office included: “Computer programs that enable wireless telephone handsets to execute software applications, where circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of enabling interoperability of such applications, when they have been lawfully obtained, with computer programs on the telephone handset.”

In addition, jailbreaking to allow phones to connect to other carrier networks was included: “Computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that enable used wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when circumvention is initiated by the owner of the copy of the computer program solely in order to connect to a wireless telecommunications network and access to the network is authorized by the operator of the network."

However, Apple has warned that hacking an iPhone would void the device’s warranty. According to the U.K.-based Telegraph, Apple released a statement that said “The vast majority of customers do not jailbreak their iPhones. This can violate the warranty, and can cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably.”

According to Jailbreakme.com, the hack is fully reversible through iTunes using the “restore” function. “Jailbreaking doesn’t slow down your device or use an extra battery,” according to Jailbreakme.com. “A jailbreak lets your device be how you want it.”

The iPhone 4.0 jailbreak is free but the developer accepts donations through the Web site.