Cydia creator looking to launch competitive paid app store

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Cupertino will be none too happy to hear the news but Cydia creator Jay Freeman is looking to turn Cydia into an all-out application store. Cydia, for those unaware, is one of two hubs iPhone and iPod Touch owners use to obtain unauthorized apps on jailbroken handsets. Think of it as a cross between the App Store and the Linux repository system. Currently, the overwhelming majority of apps that can be obtained via Cydia are free but there are some paid options. Payments mechanisms used however, are at the discretion of the developer. Freeman is looking to change all that by implementing a centralized payment system and offering developers an equal or better revenue split in comparison to Apple’s App Store. With a lawyer in tow, Freeman appears to welcome a response from Apple though when real money gets involved you can bank on the fact that Apple will begin to take jailbreaking much, MUCH more seriously. Beyond any legal action the company will inevitably take, expect anti-jailbreaking measures from Apple’s software developers to kick into overdrive. Forget all that though — the most important question of course, is what will Freeman name his new shop? Let’s see… Store, World and Market are all taken; Our vote is for App Shack.

[Via Giz]

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21 Comments
  • Zeke

    Good for him. He deserves to make some money after all he’s contributed to the jailbreaking community.

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: College Park United States

  • Ryan H

    When I had my iPhone I used Cydia and thought it was great and all, but I don’t think having a paid app store for jailbroken phones is going to take off like they think.

    Most people are cautious or just flat out not going to pay for something that may not work tomorrow. People typically jailbreak their iPhones to use stuff apple didn’t approve and get free stuff, not jailbreak to buy jailbroken stuff.

    It does also bring more attention to Cydia and Jay so they now have a much greater possible of Apple coming after them.

  • blur(p)s

    Ahhhhahahaha* “App shack!” haha* That’s so awesome!

    Good luck Mr. Jay-man!

  • Frankie

    If apple prohibits this then I would like to see some anti-monopoly laws here

  • jon

    Already bought Quicksms, Swirlly MMS and Intelliscreen from Cydia…will buy more with a good paying system and better organized store

    Of course, if you like fart apps, there“s no need for an alternative store

    I jaibreaked my phone to access functionality that should be on the iphone, not for “free” apps

  • Abhishek

    Jay Freeman!! I’m naming my first born after you <3

  • cbrines

    And thus, begins, the end of the iPhone hacking community.

  • jon

    LOL…listen, even if jaibreaking is declared illegal on the US, that means NOTHING in the rest of the world. People will keep doing what they want with the phones they BOUGHT

  • cwcanty

    lol @ app shack….classic

  • ns

    App Depot

  • Michael

    Drawing more attention from Apple? Hmmmm… Doesnt seem too smart to me. For me, jailbreaking is about getting that added functionality and personalization, and the pride that comes from seeing people appreciate your work, not making money

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Auburn United States

  • http://Davidthande.blogspot.com David Thande

    Great Reporting Zach……I’m not sure if Apple will let them get too far with this as more people will be more aware that jail broken i phones are in fact a possibility….no one likes At&t….and if you do…you voted for Palin 4 President….****Apple has gotten big if not greedy and if someone is cutting in to their profit….you will be assimilated…..

  • Marin

    I love App Shack and App Depot.
    Other names:
    Apps R Us. House of Apps. App Mall.

  • tj

    I wonder what apple will say

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

  • Valiantineus

    how ’bout “A-Mart”? :D

  • esto

    Great….let’s piss apple off so they make it even harder to own an unlocked iPhone…excellent idea! Why not stay under the radar? You know “you can’t fight city hall…”

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Taylorsville Utah, USA

  • Kevin

    Hasn’t money been involved for a while? Can’t you get any app store app for free after jailbreaking?

  • Janitor Bob

    David Thande…you’re an idiot.

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

  • Maximilian

    Im so glad I just sold my jailbroken iPhone on ebay. Apple is gonna sue this Freeman guy into the ground, and all jailbreakers are gonna be surprised when they wake up in the morning and their lovely iPhones stopped working cauz of one of Apple’s software updates.

  • http://davidthande.blogspot.com David Thande

    “Janitor Bob” you are proof that God has a made some mistakes along the way.

  • AppleIT

    LOVE the name App Shack, I think he should go with it as it’s very catchy. :-)

    Wish the best of luck to him and hope that things go well.

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