iOS

Apple's iOS 4.3.4 jailbroken

Apple last week released its latest iOS update to fix a security flaw exploited by a jailbreaking tool, but the new version--4.3.4--has itself already been jailbroken.

Detailed by the folks at Redmond Pie, the custom PwnageTool now lets users jailbreak any iOS device running iOS 4.3.4 with the exception of the iPad 2. The jailbreak was created and launched Friday, not too long after 4.3.4 was released.

Offering a step-by-step guide for those either brave enough or foolhardy enough to jailbreak their device via the PwnageTool, Redmond Pie says it tested the jailbreak to … Read more

Castle Defense games for iOS

With the introduction of the touch screen on smartphones, game developers had to come up with new control schemes that would work intuitively on the iPhone. And as iOS games evolved over time, new genres of games started to crop up that were perfect for touch screens and on-screen buttons.

One of those game genres is the castle defense strategy game. Even though you could play desktop and browser-based versions of these games, the touch screen on the iPhone worked so well that they were incredibly easy to pick up and play.

This week's collection of iOS apps is all about castle defense games. The first has a World War I feel as you battle your enemies across a series of dug-in trenches. The second lets you play as a character from the popular Evil Dead franchise as you fight off skeletons and other ghoulish enemies. The third is a new game in which you'll choose from three races to fight your enemies in a humorous battle to create the ultimate barbecue sauce.… Read more

Apple delivers iOS 4.3.4 to patch PDF security hole

Apple rolled out a minor security update to iOS this morning that fixes a vulnerability with the software's PDF-reading capabilities.

iOS 4.3.4 (and 4.2.9 for those on Verizon) is available as a free update to iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad users. A description of the update says it "fixes (a) security vulnerability associated with viewing malicious PDF files." That's the same one used by JailbreakMe.com, a site that re-launched earlier this month to allow users to jailbreak their phones without using a computer or any special software, giving the owners a … Read more

Apple's Taiwanese App Store gets refund policy

To comply with local consumer-protection laws, Apple has rolled out a new refund policy in the Taiwanese versions of its App Store, Mac App Store, and iBookstore.

The changes, reported by IDG News this morning, give app buyers the option to get a refund on paid applications and e-books within seven days of buying them from one of Apple's digital storefronts. As part of the new policy, Apple is requiring that users delete all downloaded copies of the content.

Apple's updated terms and conditions document now spells out the change right up near the top:

You may cancel … Read more

More signs of an iPhone panorama tool emerge

The trail of code leading to a unannounced and unreleased iOS 5 panorama photo capture feature has gotten a bit stronger, suggesting its inclusion in an earlier beta of the software was not a fluke.

9to5mac has pulled up a new bit of code from the latest beta of iOS 5 (which was delivered to developers on Monday afternoon) that now offers directions on how to use the feature that would let users take superwide photos of their surroundings using iOS' built-in camera app.

The code instructs users to move their phone from left to right, as well as keeping … Read more

Apple pays $945 to settle iPhone tracking suit in Korea

Apple has paid up for inadvertently tracking a user's location in an iOS-based device.

The company was ordered by a South Korean District Court judge in June to pay 1 million won ($945) for tracking a man's location, according to court documents obtained by CNET. According to those documents, the man, an Apple iPhone user, filed his lawsuit against Apple on April 26, alleging that the company violated his privacy. Apple's Korea unit paid the sum on June 27.

Reuters was first to report on the story.

The kerfuffle over iOS tracking started in April when researchers discovered that Apple's mobile devices were tracking user movements. That location information included latitude, longitude, and time stamps. What's more, the researchers said that the information was "unencrypted and unprotected, and it's on any machine you've synched with your iOS device."

After that story broke, U.S. lawmakers called on Apple to answer questions they had about the location tracking.… Read more

Apple patent application hints at future FaceTime features

Swapping between the front- and rear-facing cameras on Apple's latest-generation iOS devices during a FaceTime call is currently a manual process, requiring users to tap an onscreen button. But that could become a thing of the past with a system Apple hopes to patent.

Patently Apple has unearthed a patent application Apple filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in January of last year titled "automatic video stream selection." In short, it's a system for automatically swapping between the two captured video streams depending on what's happening in front of each lens. … Read more

Apple delivers iOS 5 beta 3 to developers

Apple released the third beta version of iOS 5 to developers today, a sign the company is getting closer to readying the software for its public release later this year.

The new version replaces beta 2, which was delivered to developers on June 24. Unlike that version, which added the Wi-Fi sync feature, the new beta of the system software for iPhones, iPads, and the iPod Touch appears to contain bug fixes and slight tweaks.

Along with the iOS beta update, Apple also released beta versions of its Apple TV software, iTunes, and Xcode.

Apple has said it will release … Read more

Borders shelves store feature in iOS e-reader app

The first of the big name e-book reading apps has removed links to its external e-bookstore in order to conform with Apple's recently implemented App Store policy.

Borders, which has has had its e-book offering on the App Store for more than a year, today updated its application to completely remove the built-in Kobo bookstore browser, while noting that it had made the change to be "complaint with the new in app purchase rules."

The now-removed feature let users view content from Kobo's store within the app, then buy it in the Safari browser. Now the … Read more

Offbeat music apps for iOS

One of the greatest things about the iPhone (or any smartphone) is that it has music listening capabilities so you can bring your tunes with you anywhere. Also, with tons of music apps in the iTunes App Store, you have even more ways to listen to, edit, mix, and organize your music.

There are many apps in the app store for listening to music, like the popular Pandora Radio that's great for music discovery, or Djay for iPhone that lets you mix and scratch with your music. But there are also some music apps that are in a league by themselves--the ones that are admittedly quirky, but still quite useful to music lovers.

This week's collection of apps are all unique music tools. The first lets you stream your music to game consoles; the second auto-matches rhythms for beat synced mixes; and the third offers a gesture-based interface for easy control of your music.… Read more