The days of a phone being just a phone have been lost. In the 90’s you would rarely see a phone used anything more than simple, quick conversations. As the New Year rolled around, so did new technology. By creating “smart phones” (phones that are technologically advanced and innovated), multiple industries have monopolized on a niche convenience market. Ranging from the gossiping teenage girl to a seasoned veteran of business – there is no doubt that this new age era of phone madness will be anything short of historic. Unfortunately, with any great thing comes the inevitable, a catch. Commonly you will see a company, such as Apple, release a new phone but only for a set of service providers. This way, the service providers and company benefit off a symbiotic relationship and mark up prices accordingly. To the many thanks of tech savy smart phone supporters, your iPhone can now be unlocked, or “jail broken”.

Jail breaking a phone is simply a process of unlocking it to all service providers and making it widely versatile. Essential for anyone looking to continue with their current phone plan that is a comfortable price for them. Unlocking is almost as revolutionary as a smart phone itself, making them more affordable (since you don’t need to pay those ridiculous provider charges) and accessible. The world is beginning to grow wise to the tactics of vendors that cash in further by exploiting consumer need. While jail breaking a phone is a common practice and usually the initiation to getting a new iPhone, like everything else, you have pros and cons

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PRO- Unlocking the iPhone will allow you to pick a service provider of your choice. By being able to keep your current phone plan you can avoid costly start up charges and the non sense of companies that you may not trust. Also, you can look for other providers that would of otherwise been unavailable that are cheaper than what you currently are using. It keeps you free to make choices accordingly to your budget (which always fluctuates).

CON- You will need to receive updates on your own and figure out a way to install them. Most companies do not condone the practice of jail breaking and frown upon it. While it is currently legal to do so, this does not mean that they won’t make it difficult.

PRO- With the knowledge of unlocking and what it is under your belt you will be able to access other phones besides the iPhone. Not only that, you will be able to assist friends and family in joining the new smart phone sensation.

CON- Downloading and installing apps is a new demon. Without the support from major companies and if you aren’t very tech savvy, there may be hurdles in using that brand new app everyone has been talking about. For example, you can’t use Apple’s Video talk feature.

PRO- The use of other applications that AREN’T from Apple (or another company)that you can use only with jailbreak phones. These are useful little programs that make up for the loss of other features. An example of this would be Google Talk. Also, you can customize your phone much easier when it is unlocked.

Overall, you will find the benefits may outweigh the cons, or you may feel that the cons outweigh the benefits. It is all due to your situation and what is more viable. Unlocking your phone is due to wanting to keep service providers and certain key features you do not have access to with a non jail broken phone. Though, if you currently have a supported service provider (AT&T) and are not willing to lose functionality, then your best bet is to stick with the phone as is. Choosing to unlock or just front the cost is a double edged sword, stay close to this site and keep yourself informed to make a well-researched decision.

Congratulations, you own a brand new iPhone 4! What’s that? You unlocked your sparkling new iPhone 4? I commend you on your bravery, but I have to warn you about your possible stupidity. The iPhone is an amazing smart phone that is leaps and beyond any predecessor and with that you must know; when you unlock or “jail break” your iPhone 4, your warranty is now void. How void is your warranty? Let’s say you got robbed in a traumatic and frightening mugging, if the criminal were to steal your iPhone, you are NOT covered for a new one, considering it is unlocked. We all make mistakes; this article serves to protect you from those mistakes that are only human.

First, let’s discuss a little about technology and a good ol’ fashioned word called responsibility. You are now fully responsible for your iPhone, meaning you have to take ownership for any mistakes you make; your fault or not, minor or large, it’s all on you. This is one of the main cons to unlocking an iPhone, that warranty protects your investment and expensive product. Without this legal “shield”, you are ultimately alone in the jungle – to fend for yourself and protect your technological baby.

The best way to avoid human error is to avoid another human’s error. While the constant pleas from your friends to loan over your iPhone 4 may cause you to cave due to their incessant whining; this is not a smart move! Can you trust your friends with a car, a computer, money? If not, then your decision is even clearer, tell them to get their own! Nothing will kill off your iPhone 4 pleasures quicker than a friend dropping it into the sink, dropping it out of the car, or falling on it while it’s in their pocket. Be proactive, protect your product!

Absolutely no water, at all! Water is to an iPhone like milk is to that lactose intolerant kid that always stayed inside at school; they just do not get along, at all. Want to go to that new water park? Well, fork, it’s time to meet road! Yes, you do need to pick between a water park and an iPhone. Last I checked, a water park wasn’t over $500.

Don’t get angry when handling your phone! Want to throw something?  Want to break something? Want to just punch something right in the apps? Stay away from your iPhone! It has been nothing but good to you; it doesn’t deserve your physical abuse and misplaced violence.

The most important “Not to Do” with your iPhone 4 is to download a sketchy program or visit a shady site. Most viruses on the iPhone are statistically proven to be only on those that were unlocked. You do not have Apple’s protection from viruses. It is all about internet safety; use your head when browsing the internet. If a site seems too good to be true, if a program seems too great to be free; it more likely than not is. Don’t fall for tricks used by hackers and other internet crime committers.

Let’s pray that this article has led you on the path to a happy co existence with you and your iPhone. Ultimately it is your money and you can do whatever you want with it. You can even use it as a small dinner plate or stir mac & cheese while listening to music off it. But nobody wants to front this type of cash for nothing; they make “brick” phones for a reason. As always, for iPhone 4 information and latest news stay tuned to MyiPhoneBlog.net!

Let’s assume you just purchased a brand new iPhone 4. It is completely understandable to be ecstatic to the point of wetting the floor – but please keep your ears open (and pants dry) to calmly read this article on iPhone 4 apps. The apps in the proceeding list will be entirely free and the first you should even begin to think of. After you get a feel for the way apps work and how they make the iPhone 4 a better experience; you can start digging into your wallet for the $10/$20 applications. This list is an opinion and by no means a definitive top 5 – take this with a grain of salt.

Before I worsen your soon-to-be-severe case of app-mania, I will go over the basic types of apps you may investigate. These genres or categories, if you will, help divide apps into groups of what is needed by the iPhone consumer. Of course, not everything can be categorized, but you can save the bizarre after you’re a bit more app-savvy.

Game Apps

As the title states, these are games. Their purpose is to entertain and captivate attention. This can range from the quick gimic games that utilize iPhone 4 features for the highscore; other games can be complex and leave you sunken eyed for the next few days due to sleepless nights. Games on the iPhone 4 are an excellent way to get through long car trips, flights, or even a family reunion picnic. They are usually moderately priced if priced at all; you can find them for free.

Movie Apps

Movie lovers alike will love these applications. Instead of rushing to the newspaper stand or nearest computer for movie times, you can simply check your phone for what is playing in your local theatre. Some apps even give you in-depth movie information that shares cast, film date, reviews, etc.

Music Apps

Serving as a mini-radio or as an expensive iPod, music apps are needed for any multi-tasker that needs a great soundtrack to activities on the iPhone. These are more than simple “pick a genre and hope for the best” music apps, on the iPhone 4, they can find songs similar to what you just listened to that it assumes you’ll enjoy. The Pandora app is an example of this feature.

Social Network Apps

Avid Facebook and Twitter fans, rejoice! You will be able to update your followers and friends with every monotonous and bland daily ritual you are engaged in. Stay close with your friends, catch up on the latest gossip, and stay in tune with news! These apps are often a selling point for iPhones.

Enough stalling, you are reading this for one reason and one reason only, the apps! Here they are in all their glory, the My iPhone Blog’s top 5 free apps for the iPhone 4:

#5 Dropbox

The Dropbox app is for those with accounts to the popular file sharing and storage program. This is an absolutely wonderful way to view files from your computer that are within your Dropbox folder.

#4 Amazon Kindle

Reading on the iPhone 4’s high definition screen is a pleasure and easy on the eyes. No need to buy a Kindle from Amazon anymore if you have an iPhone!

#3 Bump

Hate meeting that cute girl or handsome man at the party and awkwardly listening to hear their phone number over loud music? With the free Bump app all you need to do is both have the program active and “bump” the phones together. That’s all there is to it!

#2 IMDb Movies & TV

Finally, you can now end debates over who starred in what and what movie was created when! Have the informational movie oriented IMDb at the palm of your hand.

#1 Facebook

A personal favorite free app of mine, Facebook lets you keep in contact with friends and family. It is certainly the most useful app without a ridiculous price tag (or lack thereof!)

As stated previously, this is purely opinion and your top 5 depends on your taste. In no way does this site claim to be the “know all end all” of that is iPhone 4. But please, stay tuned to our site for more iPhone information and fun!