Jailbreaking the Enterprise

Fredric Paul, Editor in Chief / Community Activist | 7/28/2010 | 28 comments
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Jailbreaking -- modifying the software of an iPhone or other device to run programs and utilities not approved by the vendor -- has always been considered the domain of hackers and hobbyists, not serious enterprise IT. One reason is that device vendors have done their best to cast the practice as dangerous or even illegal. But this week's decision by the Library of Congress (yes, the Library of Congress) to grant a jailbreaking exception to the DMCA could change all that.

Could it be time for enterprise IT to move beyond the arbitrary bonds imposed by mobile vendors to create the apps and tweaks that meet their needs, regardless of whether the vendors approve?

And make no mistake, vendor approval is every bit as arbitrary and proprietary as you've heard. Apple, for example, actually claimed that the practice of jailbreaking would provide aid to terrorists and drug dealers, and warned that it could crash cell towers! No, really, they actually said that!

At the same time, however, Apple has long maintained a program designed to let enterprises create their own apps and distribute them via private app stores not available to the public and -- just as important -- not subject to App Store approval. So the company knows the value of the concept.

But Apple has still strictly controlled what even enterprise apps can do, as its SDK does not give full and complete access to all aspects of the iPhone OS. Before iOS 4 for example, you could not have more than one Microsoft Exchange account at the same time. The estimated 10 percent of iPhones that have been jailbroken allowed users to avoid that restriction if they wished. Multitasking was also possible on jailbroken devices long before Apple decided to support that capability. Similarly, apps and utilities that tweak the interface to highlight your corporate apps aren't allowed, but could be very beneficial to your enterprise and its users.

Most of the time, your enterprise may not care about these things. But sometimes you will. And now that jailbreaking is expressly legal, there's no need to be afraid. If you need to change something to suit your company's needs, and you know how to make it happen, there's no legal reason NOT to do it. Enterprises are now free to modify the iPhone -- and other devices -- to their hearts' content.

It'll probably void your warranty of course, but that's a small price to pay for the freedom to create a smartphone that does EXACTLY what your enterprise wants it do, even as it leverages the latest and greatest mobile platforms. Just be careful that your development folks don't turn into hackers bent on subverting vendor controls at all costs instead of focusing on the business benefits to your enterprise. I've seen it happen!
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Fredric Paul   Jailbreaking the Enterprise   8/3/2010 11:21:38 PM
Re: If Everyone is Doing It Then It Must Be Okay
Apple Just Won't Give Up

Despite the ruling, Apple is still threatening its best customers with "bricking" their phones if they try to jailbreak them. Acccording to InformationWeek, Apple's support forum still states that:

"It is also important to note that unauthorized modification of the iOS is a violation of the Phone end-user license agreement and because of this, Apple may deny service for an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that has installed any unauthorized software."

http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/handheld/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=226500146

I sure would like to see Apple embrace this trend rather than keep trying to fight it, but uh, it doesn't seem like that's going to happen.

 
Technocrat   Jailbreaking the Enterprise   8/2/2010 8:49:55 PM
May Innovation Live Long and Prosper.......

Interesting discussion, and I was pleased to hear the court ruling that Jailbreaking was not illegal.  I understand Apple’s support arguments, but from an enterprise perspective Jailbreaking can, as Fred’s post mentions, bring many benefits if used constructively.   I personally know of one Apple enthusiast /developer who will be quite pleased by the ruling, as now he can create applications to meet his needs within the enterprise instead of hoping Apple will eventually recognize and fill the need.

Control is the real issue, by whatever excuse they (Apple) want to publish (Warranties, Support Costs…etc.)  Mr. Jobs seems to be a control freak, while I understand the need for some boundaries; it is unreasonable to continue a completely “draconian stance” as their consumer base continues to expand. 

I am certain there will be many applications developed that Apple would not have be able to create as fast just due to resource limitations.  If an application becomes popular enough, then they can do what Microsoft does and simply purchase the company.  It is nice to see free enterprise coming out of its industry-induced coma. 

Fredric Paul   Jailbreaking the Enterprise   8/2/2010 7:16:34 PM
Re: If Everyone is Doing It Then It Must Be Okay
Ironically, now that the Jailbreak for iOS4 is out -- www.jailbreakme.com -- it seems that the iPhones and iPods and iPads in the Apple stores are already being jailbroken right under Apple's nose. At least that's what folks are claiming on Twitter and in YouTube videos.

 
Fredric Paul   Jailbreaking the Enterprise   8/2/2010 7:09:05 PM
Re: If Everyone is Doing It Then It Must Be Okay
@ Matt   One reason Jailbreak apps can get good support is that the numbers of users are typically much smaller than for successful App Store apps. And they are often produced by passionate individuals instead of large companies, who are very concerned with maintaining their reputations.

If Jailbreaking goes mainstream, of course, those differences might very well erode.
Matthew McKenzie   Jailbreaking the Enterprise   8/2/2010 10:58:31 AM
Re: If Everyone is Doing It Then It Must Be Okay
@Jake: Agreed. There's no reason and no legal justification for confiscating a jailbroken phone. And as far as going "ballistic" on anyone, if I were Apple, I would make THAT a firing offense. Anything sterner than a smile and a friendly "we can't provide support. sorry!" would be counterproductive.

Really, the only folks at Apple who have to concern themselves, even indirectly, with jailbroken iPhones are the iOS dev team. As long as they complicate the jailbreak process, even once a year and even a little, that's all Apple needs to keep jailbreaking a niche occupation. Seriously.
Matthew McKenzie   Jailbreaking the Enterprise   8/2/2010 10:54:03 AM
Re: If Everyone is Doing It Then It Must Be Okay
...many jailbreak app makers go out of their way to support their apps.

That doesn't surprise me at all. And I bet the level of tech support users get is generally quite good.

Fredric Paul   Jailbreaking the Enterprise   8/1/2010 9:58:12 PM
Re: If Everyone is Doing It Then It Must Be Okay
Jake: "That would be a public relations nightmare, and Apple's not known for those."

Well, not until recently, anyway... ;-)

Seriously, I dunno if the genius bar folks actually confiscate jailbroken phones, but I have heard stories -- pretty directly -- that they do indeed freak out.

 

 
Jake   Jailbreaking the Enterprise   8/1/2010 9:44:49 PM
Re: If Everyone is Doing It Then It Must Be Okay
I should add, I wouldn't be surprised if it happened once. But that's a long way from suggesting it's actually Apple's policy to confiscate people's phones. That would be a public relations nightmare, and Apple's not known for those.
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Jake   Jailbreaking the Enterprise   8/1/2010 9:43:05 PM
Re: If Everyone is Doing It Then It Must Be Okay
@Fred, barring further evidence, I'm going to treat that as an urban legend. I've just done searches for "jailbroken iphone genius bar" and "apple confiscate jailbroken iphone," and I found just one report of that ever happening, from one person's Twitter account. At the same time, I found several accounts of people showing a Genius their jailbroken iPhones with no problem (except perhaps not getting help), and even one report of a Genius acknowledging that his phone was also jailbroken and going on to discuss various things you could to with a jailbroken phone.
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Fredric Paul   Jailbreaking the Enterprise   8/1/2010 9:02:19 PM
Re: I shouldn't be surprised
@ nasmison  It would make more sense for enterprises to insist on control of the smartphone platform the way they do desktops. It could be just a matter of time I suppose, but I haven't heard much about it  yet.
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