Do you have an iPhone or iPad with apps installed from sources other than iTunes? — now there’s a warranty for that.

Apple’s policy towards iOS jailbreaking is described in a Knowledge Base article posted to its site:

“Apple strongly cautions against installing any software that hacks the iOS. It is also important to note that unauthorized modification of the iOS is a violation of the iPhone end-user license agreement and because of this, Apple may deny service for an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that has installed any unauthorized software.”

iOS Jail braking – an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch – is the process of removing the limitations imposed by Apple on devices running the iOS operating system. A jailbroken iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch can still use the App Store, iTunes and other normal functions such as making telephone call. Apple generally encourages the iOS jail breaking, modifying the software and loading any apps from sources other than the app store. From Apple’s perspective the reason for this anti-jailbreaking policy was to ensure a uniform experience for the iOS users across all devices – and not to mention the 30% cut that Apple keeps from every app sold in the iTunes app stores.

The technical expertise required to jail break and iPhone or iPad has been a natural barrier to a mass jail breaking of the iOS devices: the other limiting factor was the fear of losing the Apple warranty. Not anymore, though. A third party warranty provider, Square Trade, has started offering warranties even on jail broken phones. At a starting cost of $60 for an iPhone they’ll fix or replace any iPhone, ipad, iPod Touch, or any smartphone for that matter. The company’s VP of Strategy, SquareTrade, acknowledges that this warranty is not meant for large group of users – but those who do modify thir iOS software are an  impactful demographic when it comes to the future of the platform.