iOS Devices

Google CEO Eric Schmidt talked to reporters at yesterday’s Techonomy conference about all things Google. Of interest to Apple watchers specifically is his take on Android and how Apple’s iPhone led the way, especially in browsers. He also mentions that Google makes a fair amount of money on each iPhone through the ads on Safari (and Admob?)

Here’s a shortened, quieter (but better lit) version on Youtube.

Potential proof this morning that the next-generation iPod touch will — at last — host a camera, with French Apple website, HardMac, bringing us pictures of a new case design for the product.

As you can see in the image above, the camera is situated in the back top right of the device (when held from the front). There has been some speculation this will be a -megapixel camera, but most now agree a 3-megapixel camera will appear.

As you can see there’s also a spot for a small flash unit, suggesting the next-gen iPod touch won’t just take pictures, but may — as the iPhone 4 already doees — also take video.

This would imply the iPod touch will be able to run Apple’s iMovie app, pitting the product firmly against the Flip and further reinforcing notions the next-gen iPod touch will also run on an A4 processor.

“This source is very reliable since it is already thanks to it that we were able to predict the camera on the iPod Mini last year,” HardMac notes.

Apple has informed CNET that they have developed a complete fix for the PDF-based security flaw in iOS. The security vulnerability has been a topic of discussion since Jailbreakme.com was released to the public last weekend. The quick and easy jailbreak uses a flaw in iOS’s handling of PDFs to install the jailbreak files. The Apple spokeswomen said this, but declined to comment on a release date: 

“We’re aware of this reported issue, we have already developed a fix and it will be available to customers in an upcoming software update.”

Steve Jobs is known to skip security updates, but hopefully he chooses to update to this one. It also seems plausible that the fix will be coming in iOS 4.1 as the jailbreak does not work on that software version.   On the other hand, this fix will break the jailbreak as well as prevent it from being installed on devices rocking the new iOS update. If you still want the jailbreak you know what to do (or not to). 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kole_PzjxKo&w=700&h=400]

Thankfully he speaks slow enough for us to comprehend. via

Here’s iLounges new sourced info with some additions from us:

• They think that new 1.7 inch screen is coming to the iPod Shuffle (probably eliminating the ‘shuffle’ brand – good?)
• New iPods coming at some point between Tuesday and September (shocker – there wil be an event in September like the last 5 years).
• The big deal is that there will be a 7-inch iPad released at that point.  We’ve also heard this and can add that there will be a much higher density screen which will be labeled “Retina Display” and have something like an insane 1500×1920 type pixel display (think four iPhone 4 screens). We’re hearing front facing camera on this one too.
• They say the new iPhone 5 has been pushed up to a January release – seems sketchy however.
• Something about bumpers being updated or something.

iLounge has a pretty good record on these types of leaks and we’ve been hearing the same type of talk on the iPad so we’re putting it out there.  Thoughts?

The PayWall St. Journal has the story, Tech Gadgets Steal Sales From Appliances, Clothes, here.  Gist: Technology is getting more of our dollar than it ever has.  Where does that money come from?  All the other useless crap we used to buy.

Americans are spending more on electronics like iPads and flat-screen televisions and less on durable goods like furniture, washing machines and lawn mowers, according to government data released Tuesday…

Since September 2009, the 27-year-old has spent about $8,000 on new electronics. Among his buys are Apple’s iPhone 4, MacBook Pro, iPad and iPod. He also bought a Blu-ray video player and a $2,000 stereo system.

Apparel executives say the iPhone in particular has become an ornament in its own right. “It’s a new fashion accessory, there’s no doubt about it,” said Richard Dickson, CEO of branded businesses at Jones Apparel Group Inc., which includes Jones New York, Nine West and Anne Klein.

Besides, electronics, the other area gaining ground by 6.4% in June?  Savings.

U.S. savings rate ticked up to 6.4% in June from the previous month, its highest point in a year and far above its pre-recession level.

Best news I’ve heard all week.

We knew it was coming after we saw PDFs used as a jailbreak vehicle earlier this week, now it has begun: a German government agency has issued an official warning of potential security problems with iOS devices.

The Federal Office for Information Security said on Wednesday that the OS has ‘two critical weak points for which no patch exists.’

Naturally, this includes opening a manipulated website or PDF file, which could let criminals grab your passwords and emails.

While no attacks have been observed yet, the government warns they must be expected. Users are advised to avoid opening PDFs and not to visit websites they don’t trust.

iPhones using iOS versions 3.1.2-4.0.1., iPads using iOS 3.2-3.2.1 and iPod touch devices using iOS 3.1.2.-4.0 are affected, the FOIS warns.

As Seth Weintraub notes, “Your iOS device is insecure in such a big and obvious way right now.  You should be extremely careful of what sites you visit.”

Apple wants to get bumpers to iPhone 4 users as quickly as possible.  That’s perhaps one reason why bumpers are now showing up at customer doorsteps without retail packaging.

As an added bonus, free bumpers delivered in this fashion won’t fetch much of a premium on eBay. Bumpers with retail packaging when sold on eBay may interfere with the legitimate bumper marketplace (yeah, first one is free but what happens if you want another color or style?!)

Oh, and it is much greener.

Apple seems on course to launch the iPad in China as it has gained a key approval from Chinese authorities.

Apple’s iPad has received a safety certification mark from Chinese regulators. The company has made no announcements regarding future release of the iPad in China, but given the company’s massive increase in visibility there, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out.

On Monday, the device was given the China Compulsory Certification by the China Quality Certification Center according to the regulator’s Web site, as reported here.

iPad isn’t ready for release in China yet. 3G models will likely need China’s Telecommunications Equipment and Certification Center to approve the device also, said Liu Liang, an analyst with the consulting group iResearch. “This has been just the first step to get it into the Chinese market,” he said.

“The iPad is a top tier device and the Apple brand has a great deal of influence among consumers,” he added.

Apple’s star in China continues to rise, Mac sales are up 73% per cent in the Asia Pacific, the company revealed during its most recent financial call. In China and Korea, Mac sales are up nearly 200%.

While we’ve waited for Apple to introduce the much-vaunted cloud-based iTunes streaming music service, Apple has already quietly introduced cloud-based music streaming via iDisk using its MobileMe iDisk App — though this may land the company in trouble with the music labels.

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The very much anticipated Ultrasn0w carrier unlock is now available for the iPhone 4. Simply search for it in Cydia and get going!

We’ve heard that 3G is still not supported on T-Mobile USA so be sure to disable 3G in the network settings of your iPhone. If you don’t see it in Cydia try adding the repo: http://repo666.ultrasn0w.com. 

Chpwn, the developer of popular jailbreak-only apps such as ProSwitcher and Infinidock is back with another soon-to-be hit with “Infinifolders.” This tweak for jailbroken iOS devices takes Apple’s iOS 4 folders system and breaks the 12-app barrier to allow the placement of an unlimited amount of apps in a folder.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlrOOpPeoVE&w=480&h=385]

As you can see in the promotional video above, the user simply needs to flick up and down (like a list) to reveal more apps. Chpwn simply says the tweak will be available soon and we’ll be sure to let you know when it’s on Cydia. 

Update: The tweak is now available on Cydia for $1.99. 

The good old Walt Mosspuppet recently submitted his soundboard app, “Mossboard” to the App Store. Mossboard includes his usual kind words involving Ballmer, Jobs, Arrington, and the guy he’s mocking, Walt Mossberg. Mosspuppet claims on his Twitter profile that it was rejected due to references to Walt Mossberg and other figures. Check out the video below of the app in action, it’s quite funny.  

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JWZX-0bTQI&w=640&h=385]

It would appear that, at least in this particular build, Apple is no longer letting the iPhone 3G play along with the rest of us in Gamecenter.  Is this just a short term thing or are the iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2G (and previous products) being left out of the game?

We’re looking through the newest release looking for some security fixes. We’ll report back tonight with anything good.  Obviously, if you want to stay jailbroken, you might want to take a chill pill.

Yesterday we reported that Jailbreakme.com works because a of major PDF-based bug in iOS. This bug potentially allows hackers of all kinds to access your personal information stored on your iOS device. We also reported that a temporary solution is available via terminal command lines and working with your iOS device’s internal file system. This solution is not a fix, just a way to warn you every time Mobile Safari attempts to download a PDF file. 

Today, Will Strafach has released the same solution via a Cydia-based package called “PDF Loading Warner.” Simply download and install the package and the solution will be installed. Every time Mobile Safari attempts to download a PDF you will get the following message: 

This tweet may put it all in perspective for you. 

Ensuring a deep, deeply satisfying and deeply personal user experience will be critical to the huge battle between Apple and Google for the future of computing. Apple’s iOS continues to deliver what consumers want, while Android remains the budget-priced option. In this war, it may be quality, not quantity, which marks the difference between failure and success.

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Jailbreaking iPhones has been around for awhile but Comex’s 4.0 Jailbreakme.com is different in one huge way that shouldn’t sit well with you if you are on an iOS device.  The jailbreak happens without any user intervention because of a security hole in iOS that allows a website to write data to your iPhone.  Obviously if you can jailbreak an iPhone remotely, you can do just about anything else you want to it.

Your iOS device is insecure in such a big and obvious way right now.  You should be extremely careful of what sites you visit.

MacStories details how a FlateDecode vulnerability is used as a PDF File embedded within a Web page (believe us, hackers already know this and are working on this as quickly as Apple is readying a fix).  Basically iOS tries to parse the PDF file from the Web but, in doing so, it executes some code, that in this case allows you to jailbreak your device.  It isn’t rocket science to have it do something completely different and much much worse.  And there won’t be a slider that asks if it is OK.

Apple has to fix this almost immediately in an update.  I imagine this is one of those “no one sleeps until an update is ready” type of moments in the iOS security team.  Maybe not, but this is rather dangerous in the wild as it is.

Unfortunately, the reality is that not everyone updates their iPhone for every security risk.  Even Steve Jobs was shown to be months behind security vulnerabilities on his iPhone.  If Steve Jobs doesn’t keep his iPhone current, there are going to be lots of people out there who are susceptible for a long time. Corporate IT managers are going to have a great time rounding up mobile workforces and force updates.  That sales guy in Europe?  That’s just the beginning.

This has happened before without major incident:

The original iPhone jailbreak was a similar situation where a TIFF file format was exploited to gain control of the iPhone.  However, that was a long time ago and a lot of iPhones have been sold since then.  And iPods and iPads.  The iOS is a much bigger target now and the rewards are much greater for hackers.

Ironically, one of the only ways to make sure your device is immune from such an attack is to jailbreak it and install a little code that will bring up a pop-up window before allowing the PDF to run on your computer.  Pasted again from MacStories below.

Tweeted by @cdevwill earlier today, all you have to do is download this .deb file and open it on your device using either Terminal from your Mac, or iFile on the iPhone. Just download it and place it in /var/mobile.

– Using Terminal:

ssh root@your IP address

alpine

dpkg -i file.deb

Where

Many people are curious to know how much data FaceTime over 3G actually uses. We put two iPhone 4s to the test, one running FaceTime over 3G, and took before and after screenshots of the data. As you will see, if you do the math, a 5 minute FaceTime call with lots of movement used 14.7 MB of data. — That’s about 3 MB per minute. 

Before 3G FaceTime Call

After 3G FaceTime Call

As MuscleNerd called it, “killer-app.” — It truly is. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kq7Ckcgp0o&w=640&h=385]

Seth couldn’t tell the difference between the 3G FaceTime call and a WiFi FaceTime call; the quality is that good. 

Setup Instructions:

1) Jailbreak your iPhone 4 via www.jailbreakme.com.

2) Download and upgrade to the latest Cydia package.

3) Open Cydia, Go to Manage then Sources.

4) Click Sources, Edit then add: http://apt.modmyi.com

5) Search for “My3G” — download, and install it.

6) Go through the Rock setup process with a username and password. Open My3G and leave all settings on the default. 

7) FaceTime should now work over 3G! — Make sure to “Forget” the WiFi network you are on (via iOS settings) if you want to test it. 

Business Insider reports the iPad won’t be seeing any competition from Microsoft this year, as the Redmond company is waiting on Intel. Steve Ballmer states that making an iPad-competitor/killer/terminator… is “Job one” at Microsoft. This “Job one” won’t be done this year as they are waiting for the upcoming Intel “Oak Trail” processor chip.

This new chip is constructed for tablet-devices as it is very power efficient like Apple’s A4 chip. Microsoft is reportedly waiting on chip which will be released in early 2011 to move forward. From this knowledge, it’s pretty dead-on that a Microsoft tablet will be launching during iPad 2’s prime with that “blow-away” (Forstall) retina display, FaceTime integration, and some other juicy item. 

Thank you, Spencer for fixing up Wayne Ballmer!