Unofficial Software Incurs Apple's Wrath

Through the efforts of developers and hobbyists, the Web is teeming with unauthorized applications for the iPhone and the iPod Touch (which does everything that the iPhone does except make phone calls and incur a monthly bill from AT&T), and there are even some independent online application stores. However, in order to use these programs, iPhone owners have to "jailbreak" their device — downloading a bit of software that bypasses Apple's restrictions and allows the installation of unsanctioned third-party programs. The growing popularity of jailbreaking has set up a legal battle between Apple, which says it has the right to regulate what can go on an iPhone, and the users and developers who want to customize their phones as they see fit.