News

Rumor Roundup: Features in iPhone Firmware 2.2 Beta

Thomas Estilow — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:51:35 -0500

Apple has seeded iPhone OS 2.2 beta 1 firmware to developers for "compatibility testing." Along with the new firmware they have also released iPhone SDK build 9M2611 beta. Most of the speculation circles around a few key features that were missed in the 2.1 upgrade. Of course, it seems Apple had its hands full with connectivity issues and a long list of usability problems that had to be addressed first.

Regardless of Apple's NDA it seems that one screenshot was leaked of definite improvements to the MobileSafari browser. The menu bar will more closely resemble the desktop version, placing the URL field and search field next to each other on the same line. The latest Webkits include JavaScript improvements that should also be released with 2.2. No word on whether or not the phishing vulnerabilities in MobileSafari and Mail will be addressed along with this cosmetic change.

iTunes 8.0 iPhone Jailbreak Detection Thwarted

Thomas Estilow — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:14:28 -0500

Apple is trying to get smart, however the iPhone DevTeam seems to have them beat. iTunes 8.0 has new features that prevent the Pwnage exploit on iPhones and iPod Touch models that have not already been jailbroken. iTunes 8.0 will not allow restores to a hacked IPSW archive on a factory firmware device. Syncing is possible, however, if the device has already been Pwned.

The problem for Apple is that PwnageTool works by exploiting a hardware bug. According to the iPhone DevTeam, this means that Apple can use software to prevent jailbreaking, but only until the DevTeam comes up with new countermeasures in the form of patches. DevTeam has already released a software patch to circumvent iTunes 8.0 when jailbreaking a clean iPod Touch.

iPhone Firmware 2.1 Release Coming Friday

Thomas Estilow — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:32:32 -0500

The next iPhone firmware update will be released this Friday, according to Steve Jobs at Apple's Let's Rock event in San Francisco. The new version will include fixes for many ongoing problems reported by users in version 2.0.1 and 2.0.2. On the list of fixes is a solution to the application crashing problem, battery life improvement, faster iTunes backup speeds, and other bug fixes.

In addition, firmware 2.1 is purported to solve many connectivity issues and reduce the number of dropped calls. The download will be free for iPhone users, although iPod Touch users who haven't already upgraded to 2.0 will have to shell out $9.95 for the upgrade. Along with the firmware, iTunes has been updated to version 8.0 and is already available for download.

Unhappy with iPhone 3G Service? AT&T Says Break Your Contract

Thomas Estilow — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 08:32:20 -0500

Would you pay your full cable bill if there was static on the screen all month? Buy a dozen eggs if three of them were broken? How about paying $30 a month for the same service that others get for $20 a month?

This is exactly what I pay for a service I can't use. I love the iPhone 3G, but I can only use the EDGE network. I leave the phone set to EDGE because it works. The moment I switch over to 3G, data latency times shoot through the roof, voice quality decreases noticably, and calls drop every five minutes.

Apple and AT&T both deserve kudos for pioneering such an outstanding new product. I am willing to be patient with their growing pains. The network is going to be a perpetual work in progress. But it's not right to force me to pay for something that doesn't work. See, if I had an original iPhone, my data plan would be $20 a month and limited to EDGE. As it is, I have an iPhone 3G with a $30 data plan limited to EDGE.

I continue to try and use 3G at least twice a week to check up on the network but there has been no improvement. Various customer service representatives at AT&T have listened to my story. Of course I've updated to 2.0.2. Yes, I've rebooted my phone. A million times. No, not just using the sleep button. Yes, I've held down the home button and sleep button to reset. Nothing works. Nothing works except for EDGE.

NextWorth Matches Used iPhone Buyers and Sellers

Thomas Estilow — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:48:04 -0500

Looking to upgrade to 3G but not sure what to do with your old iPhone? NextWorth offers a trade-in service or will buy your used Apple hardware for cash. The company inspects all incoming late model iPhones and iPods before cutting a check then offering the item for sale. Not only does this satisfy the demand for older generation iPhones, it allows owners to recoup value from their old phone while keeping used devices out of the waste stream.

True, one may fetch a higher price in an online auction, especially if the used iPhone is unlocked. NextWorth simplifies the process for those who don't have the time or inclination to deal with unknown bidders and shipping hassles. Prices offered depend on market conditions, however at the time of this writing a first-generation 8GB iPhone with 'normal wear' is netting $177.10. Almost enough for a brand new 3G.

iPhone DevTeam Releases Pwnage Jailbreaking Tool Version 2.0.3

Thomas Estilow — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:36:33 -0500

PwnageTool 2.0.3 for Mac OS X is now available from the iPhone DevTeam. According to their blog, this new version supports iPhone and iPod firmware 2.0.2 5C1. The latest version updates Installer.app to beta 6 and also contains a localization for Germany.

Along with the latest Pwnage tool for Mac, the iPhone DevTeam has also released the ‘150’ beta update to the Windows QuickPwn application. This update improves the user interface, provides bug fixes for YouTube, and the adds BootNeuter support for unlocking 2G iPhones.

iPhone Apps Crash and Music Disappears - A Workaround That Works

Thomas Estilow — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:53:09 -0500

So the downloaded apps on your iPhone stopped working. Rebooting or resetting all settings does nothing. Suddenly you notice your music is gone. What is an iPhone owner to do? Now that the dust has settled on this particular bug many workarounds have been suggested. According to Steve Jobs himself, Apple won't have a fix until September. If you can't wait that long to restore the full functionality of your iPhone, then continue to read.

Speculation about this bug is rampant in online forums. The workaround I've used with success has been described as extreme. I suffered with the app and music problem on my iPhone 3G (2.0.1) and decided I was going to deal with the issue once. So instead of trying many of the gentler methods I attacked the problem with gusto. My phone's performance has improved noticeably since the procedure, which included a 2.0.2 firmware upgrade.

Apple Removes $1,000 Scam Application from iPhone AppStore

Chad Shmukler — Fri, 8 Aug 2008 13:43:31 -0500

German software developer Armin Heinrich is perplexed why his application, "I am Rich", was removed from the iPhone AppStore without warning or communication from Apple. The application showed up recently in the AppStore's Lifestyle section, priced at $999.99 -- the highest price allowed by Apple for an iPhone application. Naturally, you're wondering what "I am Rich" does for nearly a thousand dollars, no? Well, once you've shelled out your grand, installed, and launched the application -- you get a picture of a ruby on your screen. That's it.

Somehow, 8 individuals were dumb/clumsy enough to have purchased the application before Apple could

DevTeam Issues Warning about Upgrading to iPhone OS 2.0.1

Chad Shmukler — Thu, 7 Aug 2008 14:53:32 -0500

The announcement regarding the new version (2.0.2) of the iPhone Pwnage tool, which is presumably just hours away, brought with it the news that it would not contain an unlock for the new iPhone 3G. The DevTeam, however, has indicated they are still hard at work on developing an unlock for the new iPhone's 3G/GSM baseband and given their long record of success, one can only assume it is only a matter of time before the 3G unlock arrives.

iPhone Pwnage Jailbreaking Tool Version 2.0.2 to be Released Today

Chad Shmukler — Thu, 7 Aug 2008 14:34:43 -0500

According to a post on the "unofficial, official" blog of the iPhone DevTeam, the latest version of their jailbreaking and unlock tool Pwnage is due to be released sometime today. Though the post did not specify when the release would occur, it did state that the new version of Pwnage is "undergoing final checks and will be packaged, signed and should be uploaded within the next few hours." The post also indicated that individuals could "count on it being released sometime on Thursday" (8/7).

The new version of the Pwnage tool will provide iPhone owners with the ability to jailbreak the latest release of iPhone firmware, a bug fix release made available earlier this week. Though the official stated reason for the iPhone OS 2.0.1 update was "bug fixes", it also rendered ineffective previously released tools that were able to effectively jailbreak phones running iPhone OS 2.0.

Unfortunately, the new version of Pwnage still does not offer