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Apple has finally responded to several reports that apps are accessing and storing user contact data without permission. The problem started when blogger Arun Thampi uncovered that the iOS app Path was storing people's contact info without their knowledge. Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr told AllThingsD that this behavior is a violation of their guidelines.

“Apps that collect or transmit a user’s contact data without their prior permission are in violation of our guidelines. We’re working to make this even better for our customers, and as we have done with location services, any app wishing to access contact data will require explicit user approval in a future software release.”

We've seen other iPhone alarms before, but the ZOMM Wireless Leash offers much more protection than the normal mobile phone safety net. The ZOMM leash not only keeps your iPhone safe, but it allows you to find the GPS coordinates of anything you snap a picture of, and it also functions as a Bluetooth speakerphone.

The Wireless leash vibrates, flashes or sounds an alarm whenever you separate 20-40 feet from your mobile phone. Combined with the free app, the ZOMM leash will give you directions to anything you tag like your car or favorite restaurant. It also allows you to share tagged items with your friends and works as a panic button. The speakerphone option notifies you of incoming calls and features a noise-canceling microphone for safe chatting while driving.

Several reports about Apple altering its requirements for Siri are causing people to wonder if the company is trying to block non-iPhone 4S devices from using the voice assistant. A new token is causing a problem for owners who are trying to connect using jailbreak tools like Spire.

Originally to get Siri to work on an non-iPhone 4S device you only needed a sever host and iPhone 4S certificate. However, according to several forums and Twitter, Apple has added a SetActivationToken which is causing issues with 3rd party servers. Thankfully their seems to be a temporary workaround.

ThinkGeek has announced their newest retro wireless game controller for the iPhone or iPad. The 8-Bitty is an NES inspired eight button controller that works with all iCade games. It requires two AAA batteries and is small enough to fit in your pocket. The controller will be available later this year for $24.99 exclusively at ThinkGeek.

The 8-Bitty is also compatible with the Atari Classics collection and other retro gaming apps. Check out a list of compatible games below.

Apple routinely describes the appearance and operation of its mobile products as "magical" for a reason. Ever since the first iPhone touch screen came on the market, the company has been refining its interface and raising the bar for intuitive interaction to a new level. A patent revealed by Patently Apple shows how Apple plans to add the illusion of 3D to future iOS devices.

Much like the head-tracking demo we've already seen that creates the illusion of 3D on the iPad, Apple's concept would track the movement of the iPhone user's eyes and alter the display accordingly. Finger position would also determine how the interface would move to provide "depth" to the iPhone screen.