back to article Hackers jailbreak new iPad hours after it hits the shelves

Hardware enthusiasts managed to find multiple different ways to jailbreak the new iPad over the weekend, hours after the release of Apple's latest fondleslab. Hackers were quickly able to develop custom code that allowed them to escape Apple's walled garden and install unapproved apps on the new iPad with iOS 5.1. Three …

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  1. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    So that's iOS 5.1 not just the iPad

    Presumably that applies to iPod Touches and iPhones as well then. But put iPad in the title to get a few more page hits eh?

    No software is 100% secure, all you can do is fix it as these things are discovered.

    When Apple fixes these security holes, it will jumped on as "Apple patches jailbreaking because they want to control you and hate freedom" instead of "Apple closes security vulnerability".

    They can't win. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: So that's iOS 5.1 not just the iPad

      A security hole is something that allows other people to do things on your computer that you do not want them to do.

      A jailbreak is something that allows you to do something on your computer that you want to do but the manufacturer does not want you to do.

      So the next time Apple fixes these jailbreaks it will rightly be jumped on as "Apple patches jailbreaking because they want to control you and hate freedom".

      Alternatively, when Apple patches a security hole it will rightly be jumped on as "Apple closes security vulnerability".

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: So that's iOS 5.1 not just the iPad

        A bit like buying new windows for your house...... Then removing all the glass.

        1. admiraljkb
          Coat

          Re: So that's iOS 5.1 not just the iPad

          "A bit like buying new windows for your house...... Then removing all the glass."

          Well, if it's Windows 8 you got for the house, then its no wonder the glass was removed. It was replaced with tiles... badabing, and I'm soooooooooo outta here. :)

      2. asdf
        FAIL

        Re: So that's iOS 5.1 not just the iPad

        Silly users for thinking the hardware is theirs to run the machine code they want and have the rights too. Apple as a DRM peddler is at least able to pretend to take the neutral route and make beautiful bobbles that command top dollar. Sony on the other hand who can't take the neutral routes and openly thinks its customers are thieves, loses billions (and not to pirates as they claim) and has been in the red for the last five years straight.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      At least the apps on an iPad are sndboxed from the OS.

    3. This post has been deleted by its author

    4. andreas koch

      Re: So that's iOS 5.1 not just the iPad

      >>

      ...

      They can't win. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

      <<

      Good.

      1. admiraljkb

        Re: So that's iOS 5.1 not just the iPad

        "They can't win. Damned if they do, damned if they don't."

        Pretty much. Necessity being the mother of invention - there is a very good understanding now how to jailbreak and root these days. To slow folks down, Apple would have to bring in a new team of developers(with new ways of doing things), and build a new bootloader and OS from scratch with no code re-usage to slow things down again. As has been mentioned before, if they had offered the ability to run unauthorized applications, then the necessity to jailbreak wouldn't exist. Once the Genie is out of the bottle though, its near impossible to squeeze him back in.

        The other thing that gets forgotten, is that if someone has physical access to a device(phone, PC, server), you can't reliably secure it, at least not all of it. Like DVD's and BluRay. Both sides of the encryption are KNOWN, so there isn't any point. Same thing with bootloaders and such. Static keys means it will get hacked. The only thing you can secure is your own data with a random key (that you can't remember and have to write down on a postit note under the keyboard) and 256bit encryption or better. Although.. even that would get cracked eventually, especially if they turned over the keyboard. :)

    5. Old Handle

      Re: So that's iOS 5.1 not just the iPad

      But they *could* win. All they'd have to do is provide an intentional jailbreak feature at the same time they fix any exploitable bugs. Something like little "Allow Unsigned Software" slider in the Settings screen.

  2. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Unlike Amazon - Apple should not really care - they make money selling the hardware alone.

    1. banjomike
      Meh

      No, they cash in with Apps as well

      Apple want our money for Apps not just hardware.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      re: Unlike Amazon

      Yeah, but these days it's small fry compared to the slice of the app-pie revenue.

  3. Khaptain Silver badge
    Meh

    Same ol

    Couple of choices here

    1 : The hackers are damned good

    2 : Apple didn't really make any significant changes to security at this level.

    It appears to have become the defacto routine for all the big boys. Apple, MS, Adobe, Symantec don't seem to want to put any serious safeguards into their routines .. ( Adobe is a pain but not serious)

    It kinda makes you wonder why they even bother, is it just for the form...

  4. Paw Bokenfohr
    Black Helicopters

    Just curious.

    What is it that he's covering up with his hand each time he opens the Cydia store?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Just curious.

      The iPad's UUID...

      1. Paw Bokenfohr

        Re: Just curious.

        Cool, thanks!

  5. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Apple TV3

    Lets hope it works for the Apple TV 3 also, since I just ordered one with a view to putting XBMC on it.

    As it stands, without jailbreaking, it's a useless brick.

    1. sisk
      FAIL

      Re: Apple TV3

      "As it stands, without jailbreaking, it's a useless brick."

      Then why the hell did you spend money on it? There are other IPTV boxes out there, or failing that get a tiny computer and do as you will with it. What does the Apple TV offer that makes it worth buying if you feel that you have to jailbreak it to make it useful?

      1. Rodrigo Rollan

        Re: Apple TV3

        Sarcasm ?

      2. FrankAlphaXII

        Re: Apple TV3

        >>What does the Apple TV offer that makes it worth buying if you feel that you have to jailbreak it to make it useful?

        The Apple Logo to show off to your imbecile friends and possibly a shorter boot time than a Linux IPTV box.

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