The big tech news of the day was regarding Apple and a Federal ruling that essentially legalizes jailbreaking.
To “jailbreak” an iphone means to alter the installed, Apple approved operating system by installing other, unapproved software.
The news comes as the Library of Congress clarified copyright law relative to Apple, Smartphones and Apple’s reputation.
Back in 2008 the Library of Congress was asked to authorize jailbreaking because it wouldn’t infringe copyright. The device is personally owned and therefore any changes to it are for personal use.
Naturally Apple didn’t like this idea.
Today, the U.S Copyright Office declared that Apple can’t object to jailbreaking iPhones or altering their software with the reasoning that earlier objections were related more to the reputation of Apple which doesn’t fall under Copyright.
Even bigger and possibly better news – the Library of Congress also ruled that the current iPhone software can be altered to break down barriers and attach to other providers’ networks – no longer tying the device to just AT&T. This is good on paper but don’t expect every carrier to pick the phone up just yet.
So, what will this mean for Apple, the iPhone and iPad?
Will we see other operating systems actually hit the market? will we have a choice of iPhone operating system?
Will Apple open their iOS code a little in an effort to maintain control over their devices some?
Will we see Android for the iPhone?!
Drop a comment – chime in.
