News

If you're one of the many iPhone users who has created home screen shortcuts for individual Settings on your device, you might want to skip the iOS 5.1 update. The first beta of iOS 5.1 has been seeded to developers, and the loophole that allowed this shortcut trick is now closed.

This is unfortunate for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S users (and some 3GS owners) who are waiting patiently for an untethered jailbreak solution for their devices. Shortcuts to individual settings on the iPhone home screen saves time and effort scrolling through several menus to change one item, such as turning on Airplane Mode or switching off Location Settings.

Now that iOS 5.1 beta has been seeded to developers, new iPhone 5 hardware has been confirmed with a reference in the source code. iPhone5,1 refers to the next generation device, and by Apple's naming conventions points to a completely new design in the works. Other new device references including a possible Sprint iPad 2 (iPad2,4) and the iPad 3 have also been discovered.

Reports have indicated the iPhone 5 will feature a larger screen and a faster A6 processor. The concept above from ADR Studio shows a slimmer iPhone 5 with an aluminum back and edge to edge display.

Thanks to a built-in feature of iOS 5, the iPhone can easily take photos without ever touching the display screen. You may already be familiar with the fact that pictures can be taken by pressing the up volume button on the side of the iPhone, much like the shutter release on a compact camera. This improves the picture taking experience on the iPhone, but can still shake the device.

Photographers looking to stabilize their cameras during shooting look to use a remote control, or a cable shutter release to snap the photo without touching the camera. iPhones come with a modern version of the cable release in the Apple Remote Earphones.

The first beta of iOS 5.1 has been seeded to Apple developers, and includes several changes and improvements. First off, code has been uncovered pointing to support for a new piece of hardware, namely a Sprint iPad 2. Apple launched the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 on Sprint's network just recently, and it appears they are taking the next step.

Other changes spotted by 9to5Mac include a new setting in Location Services for geofencing. One source of battery drain is geofencing, when an app such as Reminders puts a virtual perimeter around a location. Notifications are sent when leaving or arriving the location, and in iOS 5.1 each app that uses the feature has a special icon in Location Services.

Tired of the dictionary restrictions on Words With Friends? Now you can play any word by installing a simple tweak on your jailbroken iPhone. MessWithWords is available on the Cydia app store for $4.99. Although it might sound pricey for the ability to cheat, there are other advantages to installing the package.

For instance, you receive notification when an opponent is circumventing the Words With Friends dictionary so you won't be caught off guard by a cheater. Playing words that are outside of the dictionary can also open up a whole new world of interesting games, provided your friends are willing to play.