Smashing Walled Gardens: Jailbreaking Old iOS Devices

Try hacking existing devices to extend their longevity and limit our own production of e-waste. Non iOS devices also possible to explore.

A workshop to jailbreak old Apple devices for reusability in modern livelihoods. Each participant will be requested to bring an old i-device to go through the process of “jailbreaking”. If participants do not have old Apple devices, they are welcome to bring other specific hardwares to experiment with modifications and tooling to get them up and running again (think old phones, media players, game consoles). We will be looking for ways to play around with the existing hardware and re-incorporating them back into serviceable devices. Potential avenues could include: extra screens for an art installation, modded gaming consoles to play lost media, or simply using your old iPod as a music player again.

This workshop will also have a discussion on the philosophy of perma-computing, or ways we can hack existing devices to extend their longevity and limit our own production of e-waste. Devices are planned to become obsolete, and it is our job as soft(ware) custodians to maintain, cultivate, and care for these old and forgotten tools.

Some sample materials may be provided to practice using these modding tools, but participants are encouraged to bring their own devices.