iPhone News
New iPhone patch fixes secruity holes
Apple has released the iPhone OS 3.1.3, which fixes a series of major security vulnerabilities in the mobile platform - and is a must-have for iPhone and iPod Touch users.
According to a Knowledge Base article on Apple's website - via ComputerActive - the latest patch for the OS fixes five flaws, three of which could result in the device being remotely cracked.
While one of the other vulnerabilities - a flaw in the in-built recovery mode functionality, which allows for a certain section of memory to be forcibly corrupted on receipt of a certain USB control message and allow full access to data on the iPhone or iPod Touch without needing the pass code - requires physical access to the handset to exploit, the other critical issues can be remotely exploited.
The first is an issue with the handling of maliciously crafted MP4 files in the software's CoreAudio libraries - initially thought to merely represent a crash risk, but later discovered to allow third-party code execution. The MP4 file can be either attached to an e-mail or included in a web page for download, and potentially allows for full remote access to the data on the handset.
The second major issue fixed by the update lies in the ImageIO libraries, which have a similar issue with parsing malicious TIFF image files - again allowing for remote code execution in correctly exploited.
The third flaw allowing for remote code execution lies, rather more seriously, in the WebKit engine for the browser itself: when presented with a maliciously-crafted FTP directory listing, the browser can overflow and - again - potentially execute arbitrary code.
With these three flaws representing serious security concerns - especially with the potential to have all your contacts, e-mails, and photos sent off to a third party, or your handset being made to silently call a premium-rate chat line without your knowledge - all iPhone users are advised to upgrade at their earliest convenience.
Source - bit-tech.net
Could There be a iPhone 4g?ss
The rumours are rife on the internet with expectancy of the new iPhone 4G 2010 and new iPhone OS 4.0, and most if not all is simply speculation because we all know that Apple has a completely tight lid on anything Apple.
However, Apple does have an event on the horizon and it is expected Apple will dish the details on at least iPhone OS 4.0 and if we are extremely lucky some detail on the iPhone 4G 2010.
With the iPhone 4G 2010, rumour has it the next generation smartphone will have the much asked for removable battery, a larger camera at 5 megapixels, a touch sensitive casing much like the Magic Mouse, a front facing camera, OLED display, dual-core processor, and 64GB NAND Flash memory. There is also rumour that the iPhone 4G 2010 will be released before the traditional iPhone release date of June, with April and May being touted as options.
As for the rumours about iPhone OS 4.0, well according to an article over on iphone help, iPhone OS 4.0 is rumoured to deliver multi-tasking to the iPhone, which is apparently being called a new way of running apps in the background. iPhone OS 4.0 will drop the 2G iPhone and only work on the 3G and 3GS versions, and it isn’t sure whether iPhone OS 4.0 will be for the iPod Touch either, and lastly something new, a new way to sync contacts and calendar.
Of course without any confirmation from Apple it is all just speculation, but as that Apple event is on the 27th it won’t be too long before we hopefully find out.
Source - phonesreview.com
Apple iPhone Sales Lift Off at Vodafones
Vodafone delivered 50,000 iPhones to its customers on the first day of sales, as the UK's appetite for Apple's (AAPL) iconic device continues unabated. The group became the third UK operator to offer its customers the iPhone yesterday, four months after Orange announced it had broken O2's exclusive hold over the phone in Britain. Tesco, which operates its own brand mobile business in partnership with O2, also sells the iPhone.
Vodafone (VOD), whose chief executive Vittorio Colao has long coveted the device, announced it had won the right to offer customers the iPhone just a day after Orange (FTE), but it was forced to wait until after the lucrative Christmas period to start selling.
There had been fears the group would see customers move to rival operators as a result. However, one company insider said: "When we didn't get the iPhone initially, everyone predicted that customers would leave. These sales figures have proved that wrong."
This came despite Vodafone offering customers the device on a similar tariff to Orange and O2 (TEF), scotching talk that a bitter price war was set to break out. Both Orange and Vodafone have instead looked to sell the phone off the strength of their networks. Mr Laurence reiterated yesterday that the "exceptional demand" had been driven by the strength of the company's network.
This is part of a strategy by rivals to highlight perceived issues at O2. Yesterday's announcement comes just weeks after Ronan Dunne, the chief executive of O2, apologised for problems at the group's network in London last year. He said the service had suffered as the use of smartphones, such as the iPhone, increased strain on the network from the huge rise in internet usage. O2 said data traffic in the UK was doubling every four months.
O2 has sold more than a million iPhones since it secured exclusive rights in the UK in 2007. Orange, which started selling the iPhone in November, is understood to have sold 30,000 by 4 pm on the first day. Tesco (TSCDY) has not broken down the numbers.
This follows news this month that Vodafone had stolen a march on its rivals by being the first UK operator to offer customers Google's (GOOG) Nexus One phone. The group is expected to unveil the phone formally at next month's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Source - businessweek.com
iPhone gets physical Qwerty keyboard
The Apple iPhone has got a full size physical qwerty keyboard thanks to a new accessory from Ion.
ION, the company that normally makes LP turntables that let you digitize your record collection have turned their efforts to a new accessory that gives you the power to type considerably quicker than using the on-screen offering.
The catch, there is always a catch, is that you'll only be able to type into the accompanying (free) app that is downloadable from the App Store.
Once you've typed your prose you can then have it sent to email, or other applications. Annoyingly you aren't able to use it with applications directly due to the iPhone's inability to be able to multi-task.
According to iType, the rather ugly and cheap looking keyboard is designed to appeal to PC users who might not be ready for a "Chiclet" keyboard offering (where the keys have gaps between them) usually found on Apple's range of MacBook and MacBook Pro lineups.
"For years, travelers have wanted to find a way to get out of the office or away from home without having to carry a heavy laptop computer," said Gregg Stein, Managing Director, ION. "iTYPE converts iPhone into the first truly complete travel-computing solution."
The iTYPE will be available from Q2 2010 and cost around $60.
Source - pocket-lint.com
Apple iPhone war gets hotter
Staying in touch has never been easier - or more complicated - as a rash of new providers race to cash in on the iPhone phenomenon.
In eight days, Vodafone joins O2, Orange and Tesco providing a smart phone option - but as the market opens up it's becoming increasingly difficult to work out which contract offers the best value for money.
Tesco is the only operator which offers a 12-month contract but the shortterm deal means the handset price is sky-high at £320 for a 16GB iPhone 3G S or £407 for the 32GB version.
Orange and O2 offer 16GB handsets for £87 and £87.11 respectively on a two-year contract and charge £34.26 a month for 600 minutes of air time and 500 texts.
Vodafone is offering a 24-month contract with a free 16GB handset. Its monthly rate of £45 is dearer than its main rivals but it includes unlimited texts and 1,200 minutes of call time.
Source - mirror.co.uk
Vodafone goes with iPhone
Google has just released its sleek new smartphone, called the "Nexus One."
The touch-screen phone, which runs the Android operating system, isn't all that revolutionary in technology, but it's a step into new territory for the Web search giant.
But will it prove to be an "iPhone killer"? Will it dethrone the iPhone?
Nexus One's features are comparable to those of the iPhone, CBS News science and technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg observed on "The Early Show." However, features such as an enhanced voice search are what Google is trying to capitalize on, Sieberg said.
"Your mobile device is with you more and more," he said. "You use it for more than just a phone. It's a mini computer in your pocket all the time."
Seiberg compared the warring devices:
Google Nexus One
Price and Carrier(s) $179 with a T-Mobile contract
$529 without a contract (3G access on AT&T)
Hardware 5 MP camera, 7 hour 3G use time, 4 GB flash (up to 32 GB)
Pros: Maps, Searches, noise-cancelling, multiple carriers
Cons: Keyboard, no iTunes
Apple iPhone 3GS
Price and Carrier: $199 w/ AT&T contract
Hardware 3 MP camera, 5 hour 3G use time, 16 GB (or 32 GB)
Pros: iTunes, App Store, computer syncing
Cons: AT&T only carrier
Sieberg said in terms of price you will pay more with the Google Nexus One if you want to go with a carrier other than T-Mobile.
However, the option of an unlocked device, Sieberg said, is a benefit for some people who want to avoid being locked into one company, such as iPhone users who must use AT&T service.
As for the two phones' hardware, Sieberg said, the five megapixel camera with Nexus One is powerful.
"It has a flash," he said. "The iPhone has a three megapixel camera. People have complaints with it."
In addition, the Nexus One has a seven-hour battery, and a program that tells you what you're using with your battery power. Apple's iPhone has a five-hour battery.
As for drawbacks with the Nexus One, Sieberg said the keyboard is "finicky," and there isn't accessibility to iTunes -- just Amazon.com.
"Content can be king for these devices," he said. "You talk about the iPhone -- everyone loves getting music and movies from there. You can get music from Amazon, but not the same thing for a lot of people."
Sieberg predicted the two companies will ultimately be competing over consumers' attention.
"That's where this is going. They want to get mobile ad dollars between these two devices," he said. "They're going at it big time."
Source - CBSNews.com
