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Apple plugs security holes with iOS 4.0.2. Owners of original iPhones out of luck

As expected, Apple released an update earlier today that closes the security holes in Safari which made jailbreaking iOS devices possible. iOS 4.0.2 for iPhone and iPod touch prevents PDF files from executing commands within Safari. While this means jailbreaking via jailbreakme.com is no longer possible after installing this update, it also prevents attackers from using the same vulnerability to take control over your device.

The file is nearly 600MB large as with any iOS versions because Apple always releases them as entire OS instead of just the updated component. iOS 4.0.2 is applicable to iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4 as well as the second and later generations of iPod touch. Owners of the original iPhone and iPod touch are out of luck.

If you own the first generation devices, ironically, a jailbreak is your only recourse to prevent your device from being remotely hacked. You may want to install this little app called PDF Loading Warner. It lets you know when Safari is loading a PDF file or a web page containing a PDF, so if you're not expecting one, you can stop it from being loaded.

Filed under  //  apple   ios   iphone   security  
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by Aulia Masna 
 

About the jailbreakme vulnerability

The United States Copyright Office in July have granted exception to modifying the operating system of a device to allow it to run software or applications that are not approved by the device maker. In short, according to US law, jailbreaking or rooting your phone is completely legal, although there's nothing stopping Apple or any other phone maker from refusing to provide service to a jailbroken device.

With regards to iPhone, the method to perform a jailbreak is very easy but at the same time it exposes a serious vulnerability that affects all iOS devices regardless of software version. If you have questions about jailbreaking and the security issues surrounding it, here's a handy list of Q & A that explains all the points that you need to know.

Apple is already aware of this issue and has prepared a patch although there's no word as to when it will be released. The jailbreak isn't malicious but now that the hole has been exposed, it becomes easier for a budding attacker to exploit this vulnerability to, for example, completely take over and control your device remotely.

Filed under  //  apple   ios   iphone   jailbreak  
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by Aulia Masna 
 

Twitter for iPhone 3.0.3 fixes crashing bug in iOS 3.1.x


If you've been bummed by the fact that Twitter for iPhone has been crashing on your iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 3.1.x, be bummed no more as Apple has approved Twitter for iPhone 3.0.3 which lets you use the app once again.

We previously suggested iOS 3.1.x users to downgrade to Twitter for iPhone 3.0.1 as version 3.0.2 was unusable on that system. iPhone 3G and 3GS users as well as owners of 2nd and 3rd generation iPod touch could have simply update their iOS to 4.0 or 4.0.1 but those on the original iPhone and iPod touch had little option but to downgrade, or *gasp* use another Twitter app!

Unfortunately we also found out a while later that you could no longer perform searches, see the tweets in the trending topics or invoke the mentions tab in 3.0.1 although everything else on the app works fine. Strangely enough searches and mentions still work on Tweetie 1. Regardless, if you're using Twitter for iPhone on iOS 3.1.x, update your Twitter app now.

If you're already on iOS 4, this update fixes some display bugs which sometimes cut off the top portion of the screen upon rotating the device.

Filed under  //  app   apple   iphone   twitter  
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by Aulia Masna 
 

20 thousand iPhones on XL Axiata already

I was at the Kompas Editor's Choice iPad app official launch event at XXI Plaza Senayan last week courtesy of Eddy Taslim who is in charge of Kompas.com, the Indonesian daily's online presence. In attendance were some of Kompas' agencies and other partners among which was mobile network provider, XL Axiata.

Sure, it was an iPad event but XL revealed some interesting numbers regarding iPhone usage on their networks. Yes, iPhone is still currently the sole domain of Telkomsel in Indonesia but since July 2009, the company has unlocked all of its iPhones via software update, this means the handsets can be used with any GSM network in the world without having to use Telkomsel's roaming service.

Telkomsel revealed at the Indonesian 3GS launch last February that they sold 30 thousand iPhone 3Gs in 2009. This year we estimate that they have sold upwards of 15 thousand 3GS models should the sell rate is maintained. Of course, there are also thousands (perhaps tens of thousands) of privately imported iPhones from various other countries.

What XL revealed at the event was that there were roughly 20 thousand iPhones actively using XL's network as of June 2010 and on average they use about 100 MB of data per month. 

Handono Warih, General Manager of Sales at XL Axiata proudly declared to the audience's amusement that even without going through the trouble of securing official iPhone distribution deal, the network managed to capture a significant portion of iPhone users in Indonesia

The chart they used to present the data is by no means fully representative, I mean they piled the original iPhone in one bar and the 3G in another but split the 3GS into two, but the numbers were there.

It is surprising that on average, XL iPhone customers only use 100MB per month. Many fellow iPhone users use upwards of 300MB per month and I personally use more than 400MB per month even with wireless internet at home. Most of my non-home use are on the road where almost every Jakartan spend at least 2 hours stuck in traffic every day.

It would be more interesting if they can profile who these iPhone users are and perhaps more importantly how they manage their data usage. XL offers a mobile internet package of 1GB with a throttled speed to 128Kbps if that limit has been reached and even further down to 64Kbps if it passes, if I recall correctly, 2GB in a single month.

Rumors flew several weeks ago that XL was in talks to distribute iPhone 4 in Indonesia but Mr. Warih said that, "It's all still in the dark."

Filed under  //  apple   broadband   indonesia   internet   iphone   xl  
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by Aulia Masna 
 

Free iPhone 4 bumpers as temporary fix

Apple CEO Steve Jobs took to the stage earlier today to talk about the hotly debated issue surrounding iPhone 4's antenna reception. He noted several things that may surprise not only those in attendance but also executives of other smart phone manufacturers. He showed in videos how other phones such as the BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC's Droid Eris and the Samsung Omnia 2 also show the same signal attenuation issue when their respective antennas are being covered by hand or gripped tightly. RIM and Nokia were quick to respond to the statements made by Jobs at the press conference.

In tackling the problem, Apple's temporary solution is to give away iPhone 4 bumpers and 3rd party cases to iPhone 4 owners. Those who have bought an iPhone 4 are eligible for a free bumper or case and those who have bought a bumper will have their money refunded in full. Anyone else who buys an iPhone 4 between now and September 30 is also entitled to a free bumper or case.

The third party cases are included in the offer because Jobs claimed that Apple can't make the bumpers fast enough to meet the demand. If you have bought a third party case for your iPhone 4 you are not eligible for a refund but you are still entitled to a free bumper from Apple. No doubt in a few days, there's very likely going to be more iPhone 4 bumpers on eBay from those who are looking to make a quick buck.

If you go to the Apple Online Store, you'll find that the bumpers are no longer available for sale but Apple will provide details on how to claim your free bumper soon.

After September 30 Apple will evaluate the situation and see whether they have managed to provide a more permanent solution.

Filed under  //  apple   iphone   iphone 4   signal  
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by Aulia Masna 
 

3 million iPhone 4s sold, 86 countries by September, down from 88?

 

During the press conference held earlier this morning, Apple CEO Steve Jobs took the opportunity to reveal some numbers regarding the iPhone 4. Since June 24 when it went on sale in the US, UK, France, Germany, and Japan, Apple has sold over three million iPhone 4s, that's 22 days. As previously announced, 1.7 million of which were sold in the first three days. iPhone 4 is Apple's most popular and fastest selling product to date.

By the numbers
Apple received around 5 calls in every thousand calls to AppleCare asking about antenna issue, thats roughly 15,000 calls. Out of more than three million iPhone 4 customers. So far only 1.7 percent of iPhone 4s were returned to AT&T in the US, much lower than 6 percent return rate for iPhone 3GS when it was released last year.

Countries
While initially Apple was planning to release the iPhone 4 in 18 more countries by the end of this month, Jobs said South Korea has been removed from the list due to government approval taking longer than expected. The rest of the 17 countries will start selling iPhone 4 on July 30. The countries are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
  
In addition, 24 more countries will get the phone in August (possibly 25 if South Korea gets pushed to August) and 40 in September which makes 86 countries by the end of September. Previously Apple claimed 88 countries will be selling iPhone 4s within that time period but the calculation only showed 87. Somebody made a mistake in either adding up the numbers or they forgot to include another country in there. Regardless, full distribution of iPhone 4 should be completed by September.

White iPhone 4
At the end of July Apple will also start selling white iPhone 4s in limited quanitities. It seems to be having manufacturing issues up to now but Apple is going to ramp up production as soon as possible.

The 30 minute presentation can be viewed online from Apple's newly published Antenna page. It's not yet available as a podcast from Apple's keynote feed in iTunes Store and there's no word on whether it will even be a podcast

Filed under  //  apple   iphone   iphone 4  
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by Aulia Masna 
 

Apple released iOS 4.0.1 for iPhone 3G and newer

Hot on the heels of announcing iOS 4.1 beta and ahead of the press conference to be held in less than 24 hours, Apple has released iOS 4.0.1 for owners of iPhone 3G, 3GS, and iPhone 4. There's not much in this update other than the change that Apple made in calculating network signal strength and how it displays them as bars. As Steve Jobs promised, the lower bars are significantly taller. While taller bars don't necessarily mean better reception (who's Apple kidding here, really?), the signal ranges that those bars represent actually changed. You can check out this post on AnandTech for a more technical and visual explanation as to the difference compared to the older method.

Posted above is how the signal strength is mapped according to iOS 4 and older versus iOS 4.0.1 and 4.1 beta as well as Android. You can see how Apple has greatly changed the representation of bars with respect to signal strength. Except for the fifth bar, the bars now represent much broader values. It also explains how the phone manages to maintain phone calls and data access even though there's only one bar thanks to the more sensitive antennas. AnandTech's Brian Klug found that he was still able to maintain phone calls at one bar at -121 dBm.

While signal attenuation cannot be addressed through a software update, at least now you don't get the shock of going from five bars right down to one.

Even though the update only takes care of one issue, you'll still have to download iOS 4.0.1 in its entirety which is about half a gigabyte for iPhone 4. Or you could wait for iOS 4.1 which should be coming in a few weeks or months.

Filed under  //  android   apple   ios   iphone   signal  
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iPhone 4 reception in Australia. Spoiler: It's awesome

Ed Dale has an iPhone 4 shipped from the UK to Australia. He lives in Beechworth in country Victoria, which as far as I'm concerned is middle of nowhere (sorry Ed) and I lived for almost ten years in Melbourne.

He had a chance at using the iPhone 4 at two very different locations, one at home and another at far north Queensland, a place where apparently phone signals go to die. Here's what he had to say about it:

I actually received my iPhone when I was having a break in Far North Queensland. We go up each year and being an iPhone tragic – know that once I get up in to the World Heritage Dainetree Rain Forrest – the cell coverage goes south…

Just for laughs, I pulled out my iPhone 4 at Thorton’s Beach (google it – it’s miles from anywhere)- and it had signal! My wife's iPhone 3gs – NADA.

As I’m sure scared out of their wits iPhone 4 owners the world over do as soon as they are faced with one or two bars signal – I immediately applied the death grip….

Did the call drop, did my twitter access die – NO!

This to me is the crux of the issue – the iPhone 4 has better day to day real world reception than the iPhone 3gs -

There you go.

Filed under  //  apple   australia   iphone 4   signal  
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by Aulia Masna 
 

Engadget crosses the continent and the Atlantic to test the iPhone 4

From the beginning I have been a sceptic over this whole antenna issue that the iPhone 4 seems to be having. iPhone 4 is the first massively popular phone that has the antennas located on the outside that I know of. As far as I can remember, there hasn't been a single mobile phone since the 90s that has this sort of design decision. 

Sure, there used to be phones with the antenna sticking out but they were encased in plastic or rubber. Not this time. iPhone 4's antennas are exposed to the elements and while it makes it more sensitive to signal reception (AnandTech proved that it actually boosted the reception), it also makes it prone to physical interference.

Some say it's the worst phone ever made, others say it's the most amazing phone ever produced. Numerous people have chimed in saying they have a hard time replicating the issue no matter how specific they try to follow the instruction. There are those who claim that the signal does drop when you place a finger over the black strip, and even more say while the signal does disappear when you do that, it really depends on where you're located, if your area has strong signal reception, you won't experience the problem.

Thankfuly Engadget has stepped up to the plate and done some more testing on this by crossing the continent and Atlantic ocean.

Across the United States, the problem exists mostly in areas with spotty AT&T coverage although it also happens indoors in areas with good coverage. In England, London to be precise, the problem only occurs in certain areas and even then there's little effect from the loss of signal bars.

Filed under  //  antenna   apple   engadget   iphone 4  
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by Aulia Masna 
 

The iOS is so simple and consistent, a two year old can use it well

Rene Ritchie on The iPhone Blog:

When speaking of the iPhone and the iPad, Apple SVP of design — and again, how many hardware/software companies have an executive level designer? — said he did everything possible to get the device itself out of the user’s way. It’s just a screen. Apple’s software designers have done a little of the same. But maintaining consistency to such a a consistent degree, a significant part of the OS gets out of the user’s way as well and only the content is left.

Just for fun I passed around a few non-iPhone devices to co-workers, all smart techies. It took them a while to do even basic things like turn them on, unlock them, find Wi-Fi and add the password… 

In stark contrast I’ve mention numerous time how I’ve given iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads to children as young as one and half and they’ve been able to unlock them and launch the apps they wanted to launch. At two and half they could use it well.

My own two and a half year old is adept at using the iPhone and the iPad, two devices in completely different classes. She knows how to power them on, unlock the screen, and find the app she wants. She's been using the iPhone since she was seven months old. By the time she stopped chewing on it and understood that it's not a teether, she began looking for games to play on it. After understanding how iOS 3 works, it took her seconds to figure out that I had hidden all her games in a specific folder once she got her hands on the iPhone 4.

Her favorite apps are Angry Birds, AniMatch, Let's Golf (she can't play it but is fascinated at the intro video), Flight Control, Creamy Ice, Harbor Master, Sky Babes, and the Toy Story book iPad app. Aside from Let's Golf, she's quick to figure out how to play those games.

Thanks to the consistency and simplicity of the iOS interface, there's very little learning curve beyond reading ability and motor skills. Apple has done very well to get the device out of the way and get the user to start using apps.

Filed under  //  apple   apps   interface   iOS   iphone  
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by Aulia Masna