I’ll be editing this post as soon as I gather most of my thoughts about the whole experience… be sure to check back if you’re interested in the iPhone and the new OS. Ok, here we go…# Clarifications/Introduction

First off, I did not get an iPhone 3G, what I did was simply upgrade to the newest version of the iPhone OS (which I will call v2 from here on out). I already was fiddling around with it on the iPod Touch (since there’s no “activation/unlock” issues with the Touch) and I have to say I like the direction where it’s headed in general.

Basically, the picture you see above hasn’t been “altered” apart from the regular level adjustments (and turning it to black and white). The nargalzius logo you see at the boot screen is real. That’s what you see instead of the apple logo 😉 As I said, my 1st gen iPhone on v2 has been jailbroken and unlocked… and the tool that allows that also allowed customization of the boot screen among other things.

AppStore

The Good

The AppStore is, for the most part, awesome. Finally, a legitimate way to get applications that sync well with iTunes. This means even in the event of a restore, you still can get the apps installed immediately to multiple devices.

I’d also have to admit that a simple thing like application icon standards; where the applications should follow a template of looking like a “certain kind of button” (e.g. like the icons/buttons used in the default iPhone interface) – is an extremely welcome thing as it gels the interface together. I have dabbled in customization software (e.g. Customize) and I have to say the really “good themes” are the ones that have a uniform look all around.

The Bad

The only gripe I have is that majority of apps seem to be charging a fee – which would be fine if there was some way of knowing first hand if the apps are any good.

99 cents per app (40-50 pesos as of this writing) is extremely cheap… but of course that can add up especially since there are so many applications that seem to do the same damn thing. For example, for some stupid reason, Apple never included a native ToDo application, so naturally one could find an “alternative” through the AppStore… I don’t mind paying $0.99 or even a premium (like around $14-20) for Things or Omnifocus – which are arguably the best productivity managers for the phone. But again, there’s no way to try them out – what if I find out that they aren’t exactly what I need?

We all know that the whole “the reason we crack software is so people can try the software long enough until they’re really comfortable with how the application works to decide if it’s worth shelling out money for.” is more of an exception than the rule when it comes to piracy… but in the AppStore’s case, it becomes a compelling argument. Paying up to try something that you might not be using ever again is a hard pill to swallow, and cannot be compensated by being dirt cheap because it will add up. Right now, I can guarantee you can find at least 10 ToDo managers that require payment. So imagine having to spend 10 dollars to try everything out knowing that you’ll only really be using one at the end of it all. Not fun.

The Ugly (Apps)

Continuing from the previous thought, you might say “well, maybe that one app you choose ultimately would be worth 10 dollars, so it just evens things out… that certainly may be the case for useful/good apps – but what about applications that are just cool but really useless?

I made a video demo of this free app I found.

So with that, you’re telling me that it’s in good taste to make an application that sets the screen to one friggin solid color – and call it a flashlight, and then charge for it!? Please!

I know that it’s unfair to expect people to do free stuff just because there are a few out there who can make excellent free apps, and I certainly wouldn’t want to deprive them for a chance of extra income… but seriously, besides having the right to do anything, at least have common courtesy and decency to decide with your own heart, if your app deserves monetary compensation.

The Jailbreaking Scene

Now this is the interesting part. I don’t think the AppStore, no matter how good it is, will ever eliminate this alternative method of installing applications. For one thing, some apps that are available there, you already know would never be approved by Apple to in included in the AppStore. Would Apple want a Mobile Finder/Terminal that will allow you navigate through the iPhones internal directories? Probably not.

In this scene, the apps that shine are usually system utilities/tweaks. Shell access, SSH, quick access and toggling of system services (e.g. WiFi, etc.) – you know, the apps that mess with things under the hood.

Cydia (vs. Installer)

Another good thing that came out of v2 is that Cydia seems to have gained so much traction due to the fact that as of the moment, it’s the only package manager that’s ready for v2. Installer.app seems to be “delayed” – but quite frankly, I just wish it dies a quiet, peaceful death.

Both NullRiver (Installer) and Saurik (Cydia) have done tremendous jobs and have contributed greatly to the community, but really, it’s much more practical to only have one standard avenue of distributing applications aside from the AppStore.

As it stands, Installer has got nothing on Cydia; whereas Cydia was created ¹ Or more accurately; PORTED specifically because of the weaknesses of Installer. It beats Installer hands down in every aspect (save for the queueing of regular app installations, ² Cydia usually only queues essential (system) upgrades and the easier adding of source repositories)

The drastic changes of v2 was a great “equalizer” in a sense that everyone in the scene pretty much had to start from scratch. After getting used to Cydia, I was under the impression the only reason Installer survived was because it was of developers’ fear of change. A lot of people were used to it didn’t want to switch over to any other distribution system – even if it was superior in every aspect.

Now that v2 “equalized” everything, only Cydia stands (as of the moment)… and hopefully, developers eager to roll out their apps for v2 will start using Cydia and not look back… there’s really no need for two distribution systems. They are of the same essence as far as the ultimate goal and function is concerned – the only difference is that Installer was, quite literally, a kludge; cobbled together out of necessity – whereas Cydia is a port of an industry standard distribution system that has 15 years of development behind it.

I really think that it would be best for the whole community that NullRiver simply concede and put Installer to sleep. While you can have both apps installed in your iPhone and work without issue, I see no point in diluting the community that way – seems like a whole chest-beating exercise to me.