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Hack Enables Background Processes On Jailbroken iPhones

Submitted by Edward Kirk on October 2, 2008 - 4:06pm.
in

One of the most wanted features that Apple currently doesn't allow are background processes, or the ability for an app or part of an app to run in the background even after it's been closed or exited. Apple doesn't allow them because they drain battery life, but a lot of cool stuff doesn't work without them. Fortunately, the hacking community has created a temporary solution that could be a great reason to jailbreak that iPhone.

The hack is fittingly named iPhone-Backgrounder, and it's available for jailbroken iPhones through Cydia. Running the software, you can go to the app you want to keep open and hold down the home button until a prompt pops up. Then, if you let go and exit the app, it will continue to run in the background while you do other things. Best of all, the hack works both on jailbreak apps and apps downloaded from the App Store. (One user reported listening to Pandora while receiving background IMs and syncing at the same time!)

Unfortunately, iPhone-Backgrounder does require you to jailbreak your iPhone, so if you're really against doing that then you're out of luck (although this is probably one of the best reasons to jailbreak yet).

It is still a little bit buggy with duped IMs, but otherwise should run relatively well.

[via Gizmodo]

Submitted by vandy1997 on October 2, 2008 - 4:57pm.
It's called "Backgrounder" - not "iPhone-Backgrounder"!

insomnia vs backgrounder

Submitted by dimitrin on October 2, 2008 - 5:24pm.
what would be the difference?

Which do people like more?

thanx

Submitted by catfacts on October 2, 2008 - 5:44pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dimitrin View Post
what would be the difference?

Which do people like more?

thanx
There is actually a rather large difference. Insomian keeps the iphone's wifi running once the device is locked (it would usually run for a min or two otherwise, unless your running something like last.fm which requests a wifi keepalive). But this lets you stream last.fm, download a file in safari and check your email all at the same time. It keeps the process running while letting you switch to another app's UI. Much more than a wifi keepalive huh.

Submitted by Stephen007 on October 2, 2008 - 7:34pm.
Quote:
Apple doesn't allow them because they drain battery life
Is that really the reason? I had plenty of background processes running on my jailbroken 1st gen iPhone & my battery life then & now is very comparable. My feeling is they don't allow it in the interest of stability of the phone. After all, a phone with 10 background processes running, none of which was reviewed very long by Apple stands a much bigger chance of crashing or having the phone suddenly not work than stock software.

Submitted by kellygeorge on October 2, 2008 - 7:48pm.
also, using backgrounder, not only can you run instant messagers, but you can run cycorder (video recorder) without it being open on the screen, and even from the lock screen. you can take picture (with snapture) without everyone knowing. aside from the spy/perv stuff, there is a lot of stuff you can do with it. get creative.

Submitted by dimitrin on October 2, 2008 - 11:25pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by catfacts View Post
There is actually a rather large difference. Insomian keeps the iphone's wifi running once the device is locked (it would usually run for a min or two otherwise, unless your running something like last.fm which requests a wifi keepalive). But this lets you stream last.fm, download a file in safari and check your email all at the same time. It keeps the process running while letting you switch to another app's UI. Much more than a wifi keepalive huh.
i see

i have found serial stays alive with Insomnia so i assumed it would carry to other apps as well.

Submitted by vandy1997 on October 3, 2008 - 10:05am.
I understand the stability issue, but Apple should either increase the RAM amount or require that apps be written in a way in which the least amount of RAM space is used. Apple could allow an app to use background processes on a case-by-case basis and work with those apps that benefit from such use (such as internet radio apps and IM apps). But firmware 2.0 showed us that Apple can screw up stability on the iPhone on its own without the assistance of others! And MobileSafari still crashes. The key should be to allow certain apps to run in the background but to make sure that they are tweaked to work properly. The push notification service that Apple is going to include in the next update (I hope) will not allow users to play internet radio apps while sending an SMS or doing something else. So once again it will be necessary to have a jailbroken phone to use a service that should exist on the phone itself (like other features that are standard on other smartphones). Apple should realize at some point that it is not looking like an innovator when developers who don't have access to the underlying code on the iPhone are doing a better job than Apple's own developers. It's truly a shame.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen007 View Post
Is that really the reason? I had plenty of background processes running on my jailbroken 1st gen iPhone & my battery life then & now is very comparable. My feeling is they don't allow it in the interest of stability of the phone. After all, a phone with 10 background processes running, none of which was reviewed very long by Apple stands a much bigger chance of crashing or having the phone suddenly not work than stock software.

Submitted by LandShark on October 3, 2008 - 3:39pm.
it is BS that apple bans background app for stability or battery drain.
Safari crashes alot, and it is the owner's choice to use the battery for whatever they want.

do auto makers limit their cars' top speed to 80MPG because high speed consume more gas?


it is Apple, it cares about its customers unless the action reduces its profit.

i dont see how background app hurts Apple's profit, but that's the only logical reason for Apple to piss its customers off