So, I have this old iPad1 laying around...

...And, Im not sure how to go about making it work. Its old, and none of the new apps on the Apple market work with its old IOS 5.## platform. I cant even log into Google for things like Gmail or Youtube because the old version of Safari browser I have is not capable of meeting the cookie criteria for Google security. Everything other smart device I have runs Android, and to be honest, I prefer that system. But, the problem is format. My phone, and Kindle Fire, are both built around a small screen (standard Samsung S8 and 7" Fire). I dont want to do much with the iPad - basically, I want it to be a media device. Its nice to have the bigger screen for watching Youtube and Netflix, and having a bigger screen for a browser would be great. I work out in the mornings in my basement, and having a tablet to watch some stuff while I workout is a must to avoid boredom. The basement is unfinished, so its not really a spot for a TV. And, I work out pretty early each day, before the missus is up. So, bluetooth headphones for audio is the only way to go for me.

So, I havent actually asked a question yet. My query is this: If I wanted to Jailbreak my iPad 1, whats the best route? Do I want to install an Android ROM? That makes things easier with regard to using my same Google account info. Do I want to install a custom Apple ROM that simulates a higher IOS platform? Ive read that the 1st gen iPad is not really up to the task of running higher IOS revisions. I believe Ive read that Android Marshmallow is pretty robust without using a ton of computing resource.

Also, I dont want to actually do the breaking, because...reasons. Im happy writing a check (or, swiping plastic) to have this done. Is this the kind of thing that reputable businesses are doing for people?

What says the hive?

The bad news is that there are few things with less potential than an out-of-date iPad, but you might just eke some usefulness out of it by jailbreaking it. You can't put Android on it unfortunately. Here's how to do the jailbreak:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/hello-ios-6-goodbye-ipad-1-inject-new-life-by-jailbreaking-it/

From there, try to get an up-to-date browser. See if YouTube or Netflix work. If not, see if you can get a YouTube or Netflix client app that works. Worst-case scenario, it could be useful as a remote desktop client.

Jailbreak it, install some game console emulators, play Super Mario 3.

I've been reading up on things to do with an old out of date kindle myself. Good luck.

Is there any way to do this that doesnt require Windows administrator privileges? I lost my PC to a house flood a few years back. Because we have tablets and such, and because I have a laptop through my job, I havent replaced it. But, due to out of control corporate paranoia, I dont have an admin login. So, if Im going to do this, I need to do it OTA.

Thats kinda why I was hoping that there were brick-&-mortar places where I could pay actual money for this to be done...preferably ones without eastern bloc roughnecks in the back room salivating over the prospect of getting their mitts on my personal information.

4cylndrfury wrote: Is there any way to do this that doesnt require Windows administrator privileges? I lost my PC to a house flood a few years back. Because we have tablets and such, and because I have a laptop through my job, I havent replaced it. But, due to out of control corporate paranoia, I dont have an admin login. So, if Im going to do this, I need to do it OTA. Thats kinda why I was hoping that there were brick-&-mortar places where I could pay actual money for this to be done...preferably ones without eastern bloc roughnecks in the back room salivating over the prospect of getting their mitts on my personal information.

You'll need administrator-level privileges in some kind of OS. Maybe if your work hasn't thought to lock down the boot selection (common oversight), you can boot to a Linux liveCD and then use Sn0wbreeze or Absinthe to do the jailbreak:

http://sn0wbreeze.ru/en/utilities/

Only the sketchier/more l33t gadget repair shops will do a jailbreak for you, it's not a common service.

As my wife and children have gotten new iPads, the old original iPad has become mine. The browser often crashes, so I don't use it for that unless there are no other good choices. Most of the apps installed when it was current still work, although some do not. Mostly I use it to play Sudoku.

Sell it for ~$20 and buy a used android Samsung tab 3 or some other promo tablet that cell companies gave out free with contracts

I should be down in Blue Ash the last week of this month for work and I can bring you an old laptop that you can use\have if you want to wait.

Oh, nice spit, very generous! My office is not far from Blue Ash. We could grab some lunch if youre interested. PM me if that sounds good...

In reply to 1988RedT2:

Which sudoku app? I have an old gen 1 ipad and love sudoku!

In reply to EastCoastMojo:

I'm very happy with my sudoku from Genina on my android tablet. I'm sure the iOS version is equally good.

In reply to Brian:

I do enjoy that one on my phone. Since there are so few apps that will work with the older, unupgradable iOS on the 1st gen ipad, I am excited to hear there is a sudoku that might work with it. I'm actually not an i-person, but someone gave me this ipad and I do like the bigger screen.

Apple is refurbishing old Iphones to be more modern so they can expand their market in India. Maybe this will trickle down to iPad's or American iPhones thanks to the internet in the not so distant future.

I'm not sure if it's hardware and software or what exactly they'd doing, I just caught an article the other day about it.

I still have an original iPad. It works well enough for just surfing around, but my biggest annoyance is it can't decipher Craigslist anymore. It will open the page, but none of the images come through.....which makes it pretty useless.

Yeah, Im finding a lot of web page functionality is compromised. Youtube playlists wont move to the next video, you have to manually select the next button or pick a different video. Web based email is even worse. Most of the popup menus on my webmail (for things like font size and indent etc, which arent native to the screen when it loads, they come up when you select the menu icon) dont show up. Its infuriating.

A jailbreak is definitely in the future. I have no fear about it bricking, it was sitting in a drawer for 6 months and I forgot i even owned it. Even if it ends up being only useful as a trivet for hot bowls on the kitchen table because the break fails, its still going to be an upgrade from its current useability...effing apple SMH

Life is short. Hardware that old isn't worth dorking with. I'd wipe it, donate it, take tax write off, Profit!

Im going to keep using it because berk apple, thats why. There's no reason that the hardware shouldnt be useable, except that the asshats at fruit-co are dickheads who want more money for no reason. The iPad has nothing wrong with it physically, and the processor and such is perfectly capable of being a media machine...which is all I want for it to be.

^^^ I'm there with you. I hate the disposable mindset. I'll use the damn thing until it's completely worthless. I may then smash it with a hammer, or use it as a "clay pigeon" for trap shooting----- at least I'd get some entertainment out of it.

You want a clear image of one of the lower levels of Hell looks and feels like? Go to the Apple store. I don't think I've ever had a worse retail shopping experience. I hate that place.......only hate may be to weak a word.

In reply to 4cylndrfury:

I sent you a PM but I am in Blue Ash the rest of the week with a laptop for you if you still want it.

Let me know what time you want to meet.

Just so everyone knows, Aaron is a pretty cool guy. Its always nice to meet up with a fellow GRMer, and an Ohioan to boot.

Great to meet you Aaron, best of luck with your "Saab Story"

Drudging this one back up.

Aaron was super cool, and provided me with a laptop to use. The thing is, its a little older, and so finding compatible software is somewhat challenging. I think Ive whittled it down to needing a iTunes setup for version 10.7 for 32bit windows (XP with SP3 installed).

Googling that, I get a ton of hits for downloadable files, but theyre from random websites that Im not familiar with. Apple Support site has an iTunes v10.7 for windows available for download, but its 64bit. No 32 bit available on their site.

Does anyone have a source they would trust? Should I just give it a shot and download from one of these rando's and toss chance to the wind?

Sorry man. It looks like this will get you 32bit iTunes: osxdaily

EastCoastMojo wrote: In reply to 1988RedT2: Which sudoku app? I have an old gen 1 ipad and love sudoku!

Missed this the first time around. Sorry!

It's called Finger Arts Sudoku 2 version 2.8.3