Not only does every cell phone manufacturer seem to have an application store in the pipeline, but even the Jailbreak Community has gotten in on the action. The Cydia Store, developed by Jay Freeman, of both Cydia and Winterboard fame, has officially begun the selling of unofficial and unsanctioned applications via the Cydia Installer. I took this as a sign that it was time to un-Jailbreak my phone.

Don't get me wrong, I know I sound like a hypocrite here, and I know there are going to be things I miss about my Jailbroken iPhone, but there is just something out of whack with this move, and I am not sure I want to be a part of it. First, I think Apple is going to react with fire and brimstone, and I don't want my phone in the crossfire. Second, I am uncomfortable with the idea of a full fledged black market evolving.; It was one thing to donate to a few enterprising developers out there for helping me skin my iPhone and letting me toggle my 3G radio on and off, but it is another to support and sanction something that could very well damage and happen future iPhone development and support. Apple will not like this, and there is no limit to how they will react.

Cydia was fun to dabble in, and I viewed myself as a hobbyist. Now that the Cydia store is official, there is talk of a adult oriented app store, and even a Jailbreaking service. My hobby has gotten weired, and it is time for me to get out.

Via Wall Street Journal