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Run App Store Apps in Background (Jailbreak Required)

Thursday October 2, 2008 3:39 pm PDT by Arnold Kim
A new tool called iPhone Backgrounder is now available for jailbroken phones which allows you to run official App Store apps in the background. The timely release comes just as Apple's missed the September deadline for background push notifications.

Backgrounder is a Mobile Substrate-based extension to Apple's SpringBoard application launcher that allows applications to run in the background (applications are normally terminated upon suspension).

To enable backgrounding for the app you are currently running, you simply press and hold the home button until a message pops up telling you that "Backgrounding Enabled".

Users can also set up an XML file that will enable backgrounding on specific applications by default. Detailed instructions are provided. Users must have a jailbroken iPhone to take advantage of this application.

Apple has restricted the use of background applications due to concerns about memory and battery life, so your experience could vary.
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svtguy08
Posted: 44 months ago
Well our concern, need, want has been answered. For all of you that are jailbroken, check out "Backgrounder".

GoogleCode

Totally sweet! :D :apple:
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Niiro13
Posted: 44 months ago
Jailbroken?

I thought most of the jailbreak applications that need it already have background running.
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svtguy08
Posted: 44 months ago
@ Niiro13

Not all jailbreak apps can run in the background after you exit them. The nice thing about Backgrounder is that it works for ANY app, appstore, installer or cydia!

I just installed it and had simplify, aol radio, tuner, pandora, and aim all running in the background (not all at the sametime, but one by one).

Sweetness if you ask me!
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ilfn143
Posted: 44 months ago
make me want to jailbreak...
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edka
Posted: 44 months ago
man it works so nice with beejive, it get notified instantly when i get a message sweeeettt no need for Email notification looool :D
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firewood
Posted: 44 months ago
If anyone remembers the original Mac (128k), it couldn't background regular apps either. Then, after the 512k came out, Hertzfeld created Switcher which could rotate 3 (or maybe 4) running apps in and out of view. He later sold the idea or technology to Apple for integration into Multifinder, and eventually MacOS System 7.

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cere
Posted: 44 months ago

If anyone remembers the original Mac (128k), it couldn't background regular apps either. Then, after the 512k came out, Hertzfeld created Switcher which could rotate 3 (or maybe 4) running apps in and out of view. He later sold the idea or technology to Apple for integration into Multifinder, and eventually MacOS System 7.

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I guess the biggest difference here is that the iPhone OS is already capable of multitasking. It was a conscious decision to not allow background apps, though not one I entirely agree with.
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firewood
Posted: 44 months ago

I guess the biggest difference here is that the iPhone OS is already capable of multitasking.


The OS might be capable, but the hardware limitations (single CPU, limited memory, no swap drive) could easily lead to bad user experiences.

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ajnicho
Posted: 44 months ago
Lets you run apps in the background, fantastic for IM clients such as Beejive, alerts you and displays updated badge whist doing other things or in standby. Also good for things like tracking gps position etc.

Available on Cydia now via BigBoss repo
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Doju
Posted: 44 months ago
How do I add this to my iPhone? Add a source via Installer.app? What's the source?

HALP!
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