Fanboys Headed to Jail(break)…

Let me preface this with saying that I’m as much of an Apple junkie as the next fanboy. After all, I do find time to write, tweet, & discuss all things Apple, all for the satisfaction of it.

However, it has come to my attention through various forums, tweets, and other internet media, that many iPhone owners (and some not), plan to march into their nearest Apple store and jailbreak the displayed iPhones, iPads, etc. This of course is in lieu of the recently released jailbreak via Safari at Jailbreakme.com. Didn’t we learn at age 5 not to disturb other people’s property?

Without sounding holier than thou I ask, “What’s the freaking point?” This sort of pseudo rebellion is just the behavior that yields an unfavorable opinion of us, the Apple faithful. I say us because as I stated, I’m on the forefront of the Fanboy brigade, honking the horn of the Apple express. Taking the time to walk, drive, or bike to the Apple store, solely to disrupt the peace, is only more immature than it is rewardless.

The Apple employees are under some of the most critically tuned microscopes in all of sales. Their faithful patrons have been noted as being notoriously skeptical, and often times petty, concerning the products the company offers. I’m not here to say it’s unwarranted. After all, the devices that Apple releases are not what I’d call budget friendly but as with everything else you purchase, you’re getting what you pay for.

Let me use a simple sort of perspective realignment. Imagine the inner and utter excitement you had within when you went to obtain your first iPhone, iPad, etc. I know when I went for my first Apple hand-held I could hardly keep my hands to myself in regard to fondling the latest display. Now just imagine walking in, being greeted by the sales rep who takes you to the new iPhone, only to say, “Sorry, someone has altered this device and I must do a restore before you can use it”. Not a big deal if it’s an empty store, but on packed day with a store full of jailbroken display models, this would be quite irritating.

Aside from annoyance, how does this make the company look? Let’s face it Apple fans, this release was not what any imagine would call smooth. Adding further nuisances is not the way to woo public opinion.

If your beef is with AppleCare voiding its protection upon jailbreak, you have two choices: don’t jailbreak, and if you do, don’t call AppleCare for support. Sneakily altering the models in store doesn’t and won’t change any policy that is in order. Honestly, it will only add barriers between Apple and the jailbreak community.

Perhaps you are caught doing this, and believe me many will be caught. What would you as an Apple employee whose job it is to monitor customers think if a potential customer is jumping from device to device with a smug smile on his or her face? Now perhaps you are caught. I imagine the exchange to go a little like this.

Employee: “Hey there, what exactly are you doing”?

Jailbreaker: “Uhh, I’m just jailbreaking these devices you have on display”

Employee: “Why”?

What will your answer be? Believe me when I say that you will be at the minimum thrown out of said store. My guess is that a few of those busted will be banned from stores. Catch a Genius on a bad day, you just might be explaining your shenanigans to a local policeman. Is the anonymous gratification really worth all of this?

Uncle Sam has given you the right away as it concerns jailbreaking your iDevice. Let’s not have them regretting their ruling, just hours after it was ordered. Jailbreak as many of your Apple products as you own if that’s your thing. Just leave your mitts off and away from other peoples possessions. Your kindergarden teacher would be proud.