Unleashing the Advanced Features of the Powerful Apple Tablet
Apple is known to be very restrictive about the use of their products such as the iPhone, the iPod, and the iPad. The main reason why they restrict access to uncontrolled software customization is to protect the Apple user experience, which they believe would be affected negatively by putting in unauthorized and unregulated customizations.
Although the incremental updates on their products incorporate more features every time, Apple product owners are almost always dissatisfied with the functionalities integrated into the product. A process known as jailbreaking will alleviate this issue.
Learning how to jailbreak the iPad 2 or other Apple devices adds more functions for the mobile device previously not found in the original iOS package.
The Power of the iPad 2
The iPad 2 is arguably the leading tablet computer in the market persistently challenged by other competitors such as Samsung and HP. Nonetheless, this Apple device remains to be the bestselling mobile computer in its category powered by the Apple A5 dual-core processor running at 1 GHz. This powerful CPU is backed by 512 MB of DDR2 RAM.
The second-generation iPad has a display measuring 9.7 inches with 4:3 aspect ratio at 132 pixels per inch capable of playing and recording 1080p videos. Available in one design, the model has varied storage capacities at 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB. The device also integrated a number of peripherals such as proximity and ambient light sensors, magnetometer, 3-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, and assisted GPS.
Why Perform a Jailbreak
The potential of the iPad 2 and other Apple devices is often limited by the restrictive functions of the iOS. With the power of the iPad 2, the device can perform useful functions which are not implemented by the original iOS. These modifications are carried out by hackers and computer enthusiasts who derive much joy and entertainment from decoding and cracking the Apple device.
Extra Features after Jailbreaking
- Better Customization
- Better Entertainment Options
- Bigger Selection of Apps to Choose From
- More Control Over the User Interface
How to Jailbreak iPad 2: The Process
Performing a jailbreak is a delicate process and may require some expertise or some serious reading before engaging into the activity. Foremost, the device must be plugged in since losing power while undergoing the process can potentially render the iPad 2 useless basically turning it into a brick.
Once connected, the version of the iOS currently installed in the system must be checked since the jailbreak processes could differ depending on the iOS version installed. For older versions, the process has been refined so that it becomes very straightforward. For more recent versions of the iOS, the process could require extra steps since some specialized software applications need to be downloaded first. In both cases your best option is to get a jailbreaking software that will walk you through these steps.
After all the basic preparations have been made, you can proceed to the first step of the actual jailbreak process. If you have the older iOS 4.3 version, then jailbreaking software should be downloaded. This piece of code will be used to crack the iOS. It acts as a precursor to the installation of the jailbreak firmware known as Cydia.
If the iOS version is not the same as the one indicated by the jailbreak software, then the iPad 2 must be downgraded or upgraded to match the required iOS version. This downgrade or upgrade can be accomplished in the computer through iTunes. The iOS versions can be downloaded from the Internet as *.ipsw files.
When the required version is installed, the jailbreaking software can then be launched. The user will then be prompted for options regarding the jailbreak. Checking on install Cydia performs the installation of the jailbreak software. Other enhancement options may also be checked but installing Cydia must be the main priority.
The application then prompts the user for the rest of the installation process. At some point, the user will be required to turn the device off to continue with the implementation of the software. Aside from turning the device off, other important instructions include putting the device in DFU mode.
This is an advanced mode that will require certain pressing combinations of the home and power buttons in a particular sequence. The process of putting the device into DFU mode is outlined on the jailbreak installation process. Once in DFU mode, the jailbreaking software performs the rest of the required setup. Once Cydia is installed, jailbreak features can now be implemented on the device by visiting the Apple Store-inspired downloading site of Cydia.
Jailbreaks Drive Apple Software Improvements
While Apple considers it illegal to jailbreak their devices, new updates on the iOS are sometimes based on the jailbreak feature first introduced by the hackers and enthusiasts who were able to implement their own codes into the firmware. The task manager tool that switches from one running application to another, for instance, was originally implemented in Cydia.
This particular feature was later included in the iOS version 4 update. Another instance was the recording feature of the still camera which was already implemented on a jailbroken phone long before it was officially implemented in an iOS update.
Extensions of the context menu were also first implemented on jailbreaks, in which Apple later adapted by providing other related items in the context menu such as define and speak. More recently, the much improved notifications bar which can be opened by dragging the topmost part of the screen downwards was actually based on Cydia’s sliding gestures on this same part of the screen.
The process on how to jailbreak iPad 2 becomes a lot easier with online exploits that automate the entire process. However, these improvements are available only after the manual jailbreak process is established. As a final word, jailbreaking could potentially brick the device; hence, using a professional tool like jailbreaking software that is specifically designed to do the job is recommended.
