Apple Fights Back Against JailbreakMe with iOS 4.3.4 Update

After JailbreakMe was recently updated for compatibility with all iOS devices running software version 4.3.3 and earlier, including onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.ipadngravy.com');" target="_blank" title="iPad" href="http://www.ipadngravy.com">iPad 2 for the first time, it did not take long for Apple to develop its own update in its fight against exploits that allow iOS to be jailbroken. This time around, Apple did not wait for anything notable, not even a bug fix, to release iOS 4.3.4. The update’s only purpose is to close the hole that allowed users to hack into their iOS devices with JailbreakMe.

The sole update note Apple provided with 4.3.4 is that it “Fixes security vulnerability associated with viewing malicious PDF file.” In other words, “your move, jailbreak community.”

With the latest version of JailbreakMe, clever hackers found that special PDF files with “malicious” code were the key to a PC-free jailbreak on iOS 4.3-4.3.3. Then all users had to do was point Safari to a PDF on the JailbreakMe site. Within minutes they were on their way to Cydia, the “app store” for apps that wouldn’t be allowed in the App Store, fun.

Nobody can blame Apple for wanting to get the update out so quickly for just this reason since harmful viruses could have utilized the same PDF exploit. That is unlikely though, seeing that there have been no widespread or even noteworthy iOS viruses. Apple was maintaing its anti-jailbreak stance more so than keeping iOS virus-free with the quick release.

Head over to iTunes and update to protect yourself from any potential viruses utilizing the PDF exploit. Jailbroken users need not apply. Actually, regular users have no reason to hurry and update anyway, especially since this is such an insignificant update and there is (currently) nothing dangerous surfacing as a result of not having the exploit patched.

PD convertor for the iPad

Sometimes the best apps are the simplest apps, which is true in the case of the PDF Convertor released by Readdle for the iPad. As the iPad becomes more mature and starts appealing to a wider consumer base, apps like this will become increasingly more important, if not essential for everyday use.
 

Since, its inception, the iPad has been snapped up lots of business type users and naturally the iPad is used to handle a variety of documents (perhaps, creating a paperless office someday) with different formats. Certainly, it is easy to share files directly from the iPad but one of the easiest types of files to deal with is the PDF format.
 
Thankfully, Readdle’s PDF Convertor allows users to convert files on the iPad to PDFs directly from the iPad itself. This means you do not have to transfer the files on to a computer or on-line website (security here can be questionable anyway) to convert your files to PDFs.
 
Once you have downloaded the app, you will be able to access it from the “Open In” menu. This basically allows users to convert a variety of different content into PDF files including web pages, photos, contacts, email attachments, etc. This saves people from the added hassle of maintaining and sharing multiple different file formats, which wastes time and can get very frustrating.
 
The app also supports MS Office and iWork document formats, while keeping the original formatting elements mostly intact.
 
You can purchase the PDF Converter for $6.99, which is compatible with iOS 4.3 or later. The price is quite high, but for the level of functionality and simplicity onboard, it is well worth the money. Certainly, not everyone will be interested in this app but if you are a writer or business user, then you will really find this useful for everyday use.

iDJ Live for the iPad

The genesis of the iPad and iPhone can be traced to the iPod. Thus, one could easily see how Apple’s entire product line has a very distinct musical gene. As a result, even the software is geared towards simple, effective and mind-blowing music experience courtesy of the iTunes music library, which is used across iOS, Linux and Microsoft platforms. With all this at the disposal of amateur music fanatics, professional DJ’s are facing some serious competition. Meanwhile, basement parties are getting a serious musical experience.
 

One of the latest products to empower the budding DJ is the iDJ live. While the system is basically a docking device for the iPod, iPhone and the iPad, it allows includes a very realistic turn-table mixing facsimile. The iPad is the best option because there is really nothing that can compete with its brilliant 10-inch screen and amazing performance.
 
The iDJ live allows users to have a dynamic mixing experience including the ability to mix, overlap, fade and scratch the music available on the iTunes library. The system also includes a set of headphone and a custom audio cable, which will allow you to connect it to other speakers as well. This allows you to customize virtually every element of the musical experience, which is great if you already have an awesome set of speakers.
 
Right now, there are numerous other products on the market as well including Bose and the iHome. Even Apple is developing its own home DJ system: Airtunes. However, the experience of the iDJ is far better in comparison to its rivals. Keep in mind that this is still very portable despite the fact that it is capable of providing an amazing performance. The product is available for download in the App Store for $19.99. In any case, this is one product that deserves the attention of every budding DJ.

iOS 4.3.4/4.2.9 also kills untethered exploit dead

While the hoopla surrounding the recently released iOS 4.3.4 (and iOS 4.2.9) focused on it killing the PDF exploit that allowed JailbreakMe.com to function — and could potentially allow bad guys to attack the iPhone and iPad as well — it looks like Apple also patched an exploit that had been used to achieve untethered Jailbreakers since iOS 4.1. According to @i0n1c:

For those that did not get it: iOS 4.3.4 does not only fix jbme3 as announced, but also silently kills the ndrv_setspec() integer overflow.

In addition to that iOS 4.3.4 also adds code to dyld to detect attacks with binaries using “incomplete code signing”.

“Incomplete codesigning attacks” were used for all untether exploits from at least iOS 4.1.0

Wonder if {Apple] only tried to stop my xploit from modifying LCs at runtime with the new check, or if they knew it would stop [incomplete codesigning] attacks.

That last tweet revives the debate about wether or not Apple is simply concerned about iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch security, or if they’re specifically targeting Jailbreak exploits to close down. Some, like JailbreakMe.com, are such a risk Apple closes them as soon as possible. Others, like ndrv_setspec() survived for months and several IOS updates.

Either way, we once again thank the Jailbreak developers for their time and tenacity in always looking for new exploits and new ways to Jailbreak.

[@i0n1c, thanks @sethclifford]

How to Watch Sunday’s FIFA Final from Your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad

There’s never a lack of iPhone applications for anything, so there are certainly a few essentials for iPhone users wanting to catch the Women’s FIFA Final tomorrow. The excitement has built up in the past few months, and the US Women’s National Team is at the peak of their wonderful game – there’s no reason to miss tomorrow’s big event.

target="_blank" href="http://www.iphonealley.com/blog/how-to-watch-sundays-fifa-final-from-your-iphone-ipod-touch-or-ipad/attachment/1475845_full-lnd" rel="attachment wp-att-20396">src="http://www.iphonealley.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/1475845_FULL-LND-300x162.jpg" alt="" title="FIFA Women's" width="300" height="162" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-20396" />The most important thing tomorrow is to actually watch the action. You can do so straight from your iPhone, and now even with your onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.ipadngravy.com');" title="iPad" href="http://www.ipadngravy.com">iPad, with onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/itunes.apple.com/us/app/watchespn/id429009175?mt=8');" target="_blank" href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/watchespn/id429009175?mt=8">WatchESPN. The application is a free download and is basically just a mobile version of ESPN3, which can also be used for watching the game. I’ve tried this method of watching for previous soccer matches, and it’s worked flawlessly without doubt. If you won’t be able to watch on TV tomorrow, and want to catch the action, then this is the perfect for you.

Additionally, there are a various number of iPhone applications that will let you check previous standings, if you desire to do so, which should all turn up with a simple search on iTunes or the App Store.

So, who is everyone rooting for? The #USWNT (onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23USWNT');" target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23USWNT">Twitter Trend) seems like they have a pretty good shot at the title, but the Japanese could assume the the unexpected underdog role – you never know. As a reminder, the game airs tomorrow, Sunday July 17th at 2:45 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

iPad as independent second screen

Over a year and a generation since Apple mainstreamed the tablet with iPad and many are still not certain there’s a place in their life for a device that’s in between the smartphone and the laptop. And that’s very much how I felt. Sure I used my iPad a lot when I first got it, but then iPhone 4 came around and I went back to using that more. Then the new MacBook Air took over a lot of what I’d been using my iPad for, and I started to wonder — is it really necessary? iPad 2 brought me back for a time but it was still hard to see exactly where the bigger, keyboard-less screen fit into my life.

Then I realized my problem. I’d been trying to use the iPad instead of my iPhone or MacBook, and there were seldom times when it was more convenient than the former or more powerful than the latter. But then I notice something. Slowly, step by step, little by little, I was starting to use my iPad in addition to my MacBook.

There would be a video a wanted to watch, an article I wanted to read, a web site I wanted to browse, and instead of bringing it up on my MacBook and interrupting whatever else I was doing, instead of bring it up on my iPhone and compromising with the small screen, I grabbed my iPad. Even when I plug my MacBook into a cinema display, I often fill both screens with web dev tools or have Photoshop and Illustrator/InDesign hogging a lot of screen real estate. I could use Spaces, but more and more I’m just grabbing my iPad.

Recently John Siracusa highlighted an article by TechInch that cast the iPad as the microwave to the PC’s traditional oven, and in my case that feels apt. For quick, simple tasks, it’s easier and faster.

So now I might be working on way on my MacBook, Netflix playing next to me on my iPad, or some articles queued up in Instapaper, or some feeds ready in Reeder, or a game I want to sneak a few minutes on while waiting for a render or a server. I sometimes even use it for my email, so I don’t have to switch back and forth while I’m working.

It’s a second screen, but an independent one, and that’s fitting in for me just fine.

Griffin announce the Helo TC iOS app controlled helicopter

Griffin is set to unleash a remote controlled helicopter called the Helo TC. The Helo TC will be controlled by an app which will be available for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. We have seen one of these before but where this helicopter differs to the already available Parrot AR Drone is in the price. The Helo TC will be available later this year for just £34.99 which is approximately $56.

To be fair, it is a totally different bit of technology compared to the Parrot AR Drone. The Helo TC is only suitable for indoor use, has a maximum flying time of just 8 minutes and has no on-board video capturing devices.

Control of the helicopter will be done by a dedicated app which will be available for free in the App Store. The app will utilize the built in accelerometer; which will allow any budding pilots to navigate by simply tilting the iPhone in the direction they want it to go. There is also the option to use an onscreen joystick too. The Helo TC app can record and store up to 3 flight plans, perfect for annoying friends and family!

Look for this one popping up in Apple Stores later in the year. I don’t know about you but I am all over this when it becomes available.

[T3]