Apple Asks Toyota to Pull Jailbreak Ad Campaign

[MacRumors]

ModMyI reports that Apple has asked Toyota to remove a custom Scion theme pack they are offering to jailbroken iPhone users. The custom theme pack was part of a promotional effort by Toyota's advertising company Velti and was launched just a couple of days ago.

Scion, a brand of vehicles manufactured by Toyota, recently developed a custom iPhone theme specifically for jailbroken devices, submitting it to us for hosting in Cydia .

Many felt the move may help legitimize the jailbreak community and also place it in direct competition with Apple's own iAds network in some ways. Jailbreaking is the process by which users can gain complete control of their iOS device. It allows installation of applications outside the App Store as well as custom modifications. Jailbreaking has always been frowned upon by Apple and the process to jailbreak a device is a constantly changing cat-and-mouse game between the Jailbreak community and Apple's software updates.

Apple apparently heard about the campaign and has asked Toyota to pull it.

I received a call from our contact at Velti this evening as well as an email asking me to please take the theme out of Cydia. On the phone, he explained Apple had contacted Toyota and requested they remove the theme and stop the advertising campaign. They (Velti) in turn contacted me relaying the message. The reason Velti listed for the removal request of the theme emailed through our dev portal was "Toyota’s making us take it down…" Toyota had agreed to do so to "maintain their good relationship with Apple," our Velti contact told me on the phone.

Article Link: Apple Asks Toyota to Pull Jailbreak Ad Campaign

 

[toddybody]

Only thing more shaky than a JB iPhone is a POS Scion. They deserve each other.

 

[Dimwhit]

Honestly, I hope Toyota tells Apple to stuff it.

 

[HBOC]

this is interesting.

 

[depaulsunny]

Leave the jailbreak community alone Apple!! What is your ****ing problem??? Can't we just coexist???

 

[PecanEater]

Lame. You can be sure Toyota will capitulate to the Apple strong arm.

 

[TennisandMusic]

Kind of weird, Apple should not be meddling in that stuff. Way way too domineering.

 

[eastercat]

Damn, I was looking forward to the Prius theme.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Not surprised! Toyota should not take it!

 

[cere]

"Toyota had agreed to do so to "maintain their good relationship with Apple," "

Toyota has a relationship with Apple, good or bad? Why? I don't see the connection.

 

[mdlooker]

lol.. That's funny but it's the inevitable of how the iPhone is being used. If it's deemed legal, Apple shouldn't get involved in Toyota's marketing scheme. Maybe Jobs shouldn't have made a mockery of that CEO (I forget his name) in the unveil party of the iPad 2.

 

[Juventuz]

Honestly, I hope Toyota tells Apple to stuff it.

+++

I love Apple for many reasons, but I also have a hard time with some of their ideology.

 

[powers74]

Wow, didn't see that one coming.

 

[i.mac]

Honestly, I hope Toyota tells Apple to stuff it.

Jail break is legal for personal use. Corporate use of jail break may be another thing altogether.

 

[Small White Car]

Kind of weird, Apple should not be meddling in that stuff. Way way too domineering.

Apple should absolutely have asked for this.

Toyota should have said 'no,' but for Apple to not ask at all would have been irresponsible. They're being consistant, which is a good thing.

 

[mobi]

...Of course they did. Big brother is watching everyone.

 

[s8film40]

I can understand Apple's concern here it could give the impression to an uneducated user that it is OK to jailbreak their phone since they are being encouraged to by what would seem like a legitimate source. I don't think it's much of an issue for Scion owners though as they are probably used to sub-par performance.

 

[dccorona]

Leave the jailbreak community alone Apple!! What is your ****ing problem??? Can't we just coexist???

compared to sony, apple is damn near supporting the jailbreak community

 

[Full of Win]

Don't give in Toyota!

Its our devices, and if we want to modify them for our own use, so be it.

 

[SerenityInt]

The only thing uglier than a Scion is a Scion iPhone theme.

 

[0815]

lol.. That's funny but it's the inevitable of how the iPhone is being used. If it's deemed legal, Apple shouldn't get involved in Toyota's marketing scheme. Maybe Jobs shouldn't have made a mockery of that CEO (I forget his name) in the unveil party of the iPad 2.

I agree. While I thought it was an, lets say 'interesting' move by Toyota to do this - it is absolutely their decision to do so, since jailbreaking is not illegal.
Disclaimer: My iPhone is not jailbroken, did it a long time ago, toyed with it, didn't see the value for me and restored - but it is everyones decision to do what they want since it is not illegal. Of course there are apps that you could argue enable illegal stuff, but that is a different story.

 

[rdowns]

Honestly, I hope Toyota tells Apple to stuff it.

Lame. You can be sure Toyota will capitulate to the Apple strong arm.

Not surprised! Toyota should not take it!

+++

I love Apple for many reasons, but I also have a hard time with some of their ideology.

Don't give in Toyota!

Its our devices, and if we want to modify them for our own use, so be it.

Does anyone read the stories before commenting on them anymore?

You didn't even need to click to read the full story.

Toyota had agreed to do so to "maintain their good relationship with Apple," our Velti contact told me on the phone.

 

[Small White Car]

Don't give in Toyota!

Its our devices, and if we want to modify them for our own use, so be it.

How one big multinational company arguing with another affects your phone, I don't quite understand. Oh, wait...you're saying you WANT to make your homescreen a Toyota ad?

I tell you what, all you "I demand my freedom" folks confuse me more and more. The right to let Toyota advertise to you was never a big arguing point in the past for the radicals I used to read about.

 

[JeffLebowski41]

Don't give in Toyota!

Its our devices, and if we want to modify them for our own use, so be it.

That's not going to change. I'm fairly sure Apple wouldn't give a rip if some random Joe made a Scion theme. It's the fact that it's advertising that Apple won't get any part of. Certainly understandable that they would take this action. I really couldn't care less either way, though.

 

[avn]

bad