Dutch hacker accesses jailbroken iPhones, requests €5

Filed under: Hardware, Hacks, iPhone

Running a jailbroken iPhone has its risks, as a Dutch hacker has demonstrated. Specifically, he used a bit of port scanning to find jailbroken phones with SSH running in his native Netherlands. From there, he sent unsuspecting users a message that reads, "Your iPhone's been hacked because it's really insecure! Please visit doiop.com/iHacked and secure your iPhone right now! Right now, I can access all your files."

The URL directs the users to Paypal and requests €5 in exchange for instructions that explain how to remove the hack. But how did he get in? By relying on users' forgetfulness. All iPhones have a default root password. Those who forget to change it are vulnerable to this very kind of attack.

Asking for money is kind of a bummer but much less obnoxious that other things he could have done. The moral of the story is pay attention and be thorough when jailbreaking your iPhone.

[Via Ars Technica]

Dutch hacker accesses jailbroken iPhones, requests €5 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Dutch hacker accesses jailbroken iPhones, requests €5 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paid iPhone apps deliver money, but only for the top few

About 30 percent of Apple's App Store downloads are paid applications, and about half of all iPhone and iPod touch users have downloaded at least one app.

Review: Battery Go for iPhone

This app won't tell you exactly how much battery life you have left on your iPhone or iPod touch, but then it doesn't claim to do that. Rather, Battery Go gives you a pretty good estimate for how much juice you'll need to perform tasks on your mobile device. Large icons and a slider make this simple app easy to use.

Geohot Releases BlackSn0w: Free Solution to Unlock iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G running iPhone OS 3.1.2 and Baseband 05.11.07

Blacksn0w unlock available now for iPhone 3G and 3GS

There's no stopping the eternal tug-of-war between the powers that be and the hackers that will, and for the time being it looks like things are back in the hands of the hackers. As of noon today giddy jailbreakers can take the next step and go full-on with blacksn0w, the unlock for the latest 05.11.07 baseband (with tethering enabled to boot). And if that weren't enough, it looks like blackra1n RC3 is alive as well, with Mac and Windows support. What are you waiting for? Hit the read link to get started, if that's your thing. And the battle for the iPhone's immortal soul continues...

[Via On The iPhone]

Filed under: Cellphones

Blacksn0w unlock available now for iPhone 3G and 3GS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Overview of Apple’s New iPod Touch-Based EasyPay Retail Store Checkout System

ifoAppleStore's Gary Allen posts a preview at AppleInsider of Apple's new iPod touch-based EasyPay checkout system for its retail stores. The preview comes after last week's news that Apple is beginning the process of rolling out the new de...

Orange to sell iPhone in U.K. starting Nov. 10

Orange on Monday announced that it will launch iPhone in the UK on November 10th , after numerous rumours pointing to that date.

iPhone 3G/3GS Unlock Tool blacksn0w is Now Live!

For those of you who have been patiently waiting to unlock your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS currently on the 3.1.2 software, today is your lucky sn0w day as blacksn0w has been released one day ahead of schedule. It was just 3 days ago that iPhone hacker, George Hotz, announced via his Twitter account that he had found an exploit to unlock any iPhone with the 5.11.77 radio baseband.

blacksn0w is the unlock for the latest 05.11.07 baseband, and will also enable official tethering. blackra1n, a jailbreak for 3.1.2, has been updated to RC3, with hacktivation support, 15 second speed improvement, Tiger+PPC support, and installation of the latest blackra1n.app.

For the full details and on how to gain access to blacksn0w be sure to check out GeoHot’s blog. Need more help? Visit our Jailbreak and Unlock forums.

If you are looking to unlock your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS and use blacksn0w, let us know how it goes!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPhone 3G/3GS Unlock Tool blacksn0w is Now Live!

New Sonos S5 — an iPhone synced all-in-one music system

Sonos, the home music system folks, just announced the forthcoming Sonos ZonePlayer S5, a wireless music system that works seamlessly with the iPhone via the free Sonos Controller App to bring all the music the Internet has to offer into the home. Unlike traditional docks, you don’t have to leave ...

Adobe points finger at Apple over Flash for iPhone

Filed under: Apple, iPhone, iPod touch

The lack of Flash of the iPhone has been an issue, complaint and breaking point for many current (and potential) iPhone users. It seems that Adobe is just as fed up as the rest of us and has started to more publicly blame Apple for the lack of this technology.

When a website requires a Flash plugin, it provides a link to a "Get Flash" page. From here and on most devices, you can download the appropriate version of Flash and be up and running in a few minutes. In the past, iPhone users have been greeted with a message that basically states that Flash is not available for their device.

A recent change, pointed out by GearDiary, shows Adobe getting a bit more snippy with Apple. The updated page now states that:

"Apple restricts use of technologies required by products like Flash Player. Until Apple eliminates these restrictions, Adobe cannot provide Flash Player for the iPhone or iPod Touch."

While this may not be "breaking news," it does say a number of things. For one, Adobe is clearly able to develop Flash for the iPhone and obviously wants to introduce it on the iPhone and iPod touch. This also shows that Adobe is very in tune of all the complaints and has redirected the blame to Apple.

Adobe points finger at Apple over Flash for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Adobe points finger at Apple over Flash for iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dutch Hacker Held Jailbroken iPhones Hostage Via Security Vulnerability

We’ve warned you previously about some of the security vulnerabilities that come with jailbreaking your iPhone. Turns out a Dutch hacker has gone and made a point to a countless number of jailbroken devices by using a port scanning technique along with some networking smarts. Then after he gained access to the jailbroken iPhones the rest was easy. All of the devices that were hacked had unchanged root passwords along with SSH enabled. You’d know if you were hacked if the following message popped up on your screen:

If you don’t pay, it’s fine by me, but remember, the way I got access to your iPhone can be used by thousands of others-they can send text messages from your number (like I did), use it to call or record your calls, and actually whatever they want, even use it for their hacking activities! I can assure you, I have no intention of harming you or whatever, but, some hackers do! It’s just my advice to secure your phone.

Like promised, no harm was done or will be done. It turns out the hacker just wanted to teach people a simple lesson – change your root passwords and disable SSH. He’s even been nice enough to post directions on how to make sure your jailbroken iPhone is not at risk.

[Via Gizmodo]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Dutch Hacker Held Jailbroken iPhones Hostage Via Security Vulnerability

Quick App: Doom Classic for iPhone

Id Software has released the Godfather of all first person shooters, Doom Classic. [$6.99 - iTunes Link] The game has been ported nicely while including a completely new episode not found in the original along with a few other extras sprinkled in for your gaming pleasure.

• Play the legendary first person shooter, DOOM, with an iPhone or iPod Touch. Fight through 36 missions in four action-packed episodes: Knee-Deep in the Dead, Shores of Hell, Inferno, and Thy Flesh Consumed.
• Experience DOOM multiplayer on your mobile device, including Deathmatch and Cooperative play for up to four players via wireless internet.
• Choose from three different control types and customize the interface to suit your style.
• Explore the depths of Mars while utilizing the topdown map to help you explore and save your game on the fly.
• Listen to the original soundtrack or disable it and use your own iPod music.

After spending some time with Doom Classic it’s safe to say that FPS fans should enjoy this classic action.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Quick App: Doom Classic for iPhone

Chinese Parts Distributor Offers Fourth-Generation iPhone ‘Midboard’?

Gizmodo reports that Chinese parts supplier China Ontrade is offering an "Apple iPhone 4 Generation Midboard", which the company claims it received from Apple manufacturing partner Foxconn on November 1st. The site also claims that it will b...

China Unicom Reports Only 5,000 New iPhone Users Since Launch

Reuters reports that China Unicom has signed up only 5,000 iPhone users since the device's official launch there late last week. Despite the apparent poor performance of the iPhone, China Unicom Chairman Chang Xiobing remains upbeat about the iPhone...

iPhone, video games and the Nintendo ripple effect

Game giant Nintendo is feeling the effects of the iPhone, as their latest profit report indicates a 50% decline in profits as its portable Nintendo DS system sales fell quite steeply as it fields new competition from the iPhone and iPod Touch. The sad statistics: Their 133 billion yen profit last year at this time [...]

Chorus for iPhone suggests apps based on pals’ advice

Chorus, a new free iPhone app, aims to recommend iPhone applications for you, based on your history—and your pals' suggestions.

Where in the World is iPhone 3.2?

So it’s November, have you seen the iPhone 3.2 beta? We’ve been over this before — iPhone 2.2 beta was released on September 25, 2008 and the final version was made available on November 21. So where’s 3.2?

Yes, Apple hasn’t announced iPhone 3.2, so we can’t really call it delayed, but then Apple never announces anything in advance — all we have are historical patterns and market realities.

Was Apple waiting to integrate iTunes LP and iTunes Extras? They’ve done that for Apple TV 3.0 already. Where’s the iPhone and iPod touch love?

We’ve already postulated what other features they could be exploring, including Google Maps updates with Latitude (and now, of course, Google Maps Navigation), but given the strained relations, rejection of the former, and brand-new beta status of the latter, 3.2 might be too early. Likewise, Zune HD competitive features like 720p video out.

With the onslaught of new Android software, like HTC Sense UI, MotoBlur, and Android 2.0, could Apple have decided to raise the level of this update? A few minor tweaks were certainly possible for a standard schedule iPhone 3.2, but would Apple delay their frequent update cycle in order to make a more impressive version?

We’re not going to get our hopes up, but if Apple is getting ambitious, if Scott Forstall and team are going to “blow us away”, we’re willing wait. If not, then where is it?

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Where in the World is iPhone 3.2?

Review: BuzzVoice Talks and Tick Talk for iPhone

We look at a pair of apps that read the news to you. BuzzVoice Talks is a thankfully-renamed update to PimpMyNews that adds more options for users. Tick Talk is more of an alarm clock that wakes you up with the morning's headlines.

Deutsche Bank says IT warms to iPhone

Filed under: Enterprise, iPhone

Deutsche Bank analyst Chris Whitmore says corporate IT is warming up to the iPhone. In a research note published yesterday das analyst says, "There is growing evidence that the iPhone is making inroads into the Enterprise."

Whitmore thinks Apple will sell 2 million iPhones to big business by the end of the year, some through reimbursements to employees and some through IT department purchases. If those numbers hold, the iPhone will own about 7% of the Enterprise smartphone market in 2009, up from the 2% it controlled in 2008.

What's up with the shift? Whitmore notes four reasons:

• User satisfaction - highlighted by the recent J.D. Power surveys of both consumer and business smartphone users
• Enterprise applications
• The iPhone's level of innovation
• The virtual keyboard - according to Whitmore, the thought that business users have to have a physical keyboard on a smartphone has turned out to be a 'fallacy.'

However, businesspeople might not agree that they don't need a physical keyboard if their first virtual keyboard isn't on an iPhone. UK researcher Canalys has taken a look at touchscreens and future smartphone purchases. The firm finds the ground shifting the touchscreen's way. Of the 3,000 survey respondents in the UK, Germany, and France, 38% say their next phone will have a finger-oriented touchscreen, while 16% say theirs will have a stylus-operated touchscreen.

But a lot of people who have virtual keyboard-only phones miss the physical keys. According to Canalys, 53% of people who own a touchscreen phone say they won't buy another one, though they may have bought the wrong one for them to start. A majority of iPhone and HTC users say they'll keep the virtual keys on their next phones, while less than a third of Sony Ericsson touchscreen phone owners say their next phone won't have buttons.

[via Fortune, The Register]

Deutsche Bank says IT warms to iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Deutsche Bank says IT warms to iPhone originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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blacksn0w iPhone Unlock Day Moved To — Today

iPhone hacker extraordinaire, Geohot, blaming successful initial testing, has moved up the release for blacksn0w, his new iPhone 05.11.07 unlock tool, to… today! More specifically, noon today (Eastern time). And it looks slick:

If you are a loyal blackra1n user who kept the blackra1n.app on your iPhone, run it. You will see Icy replaced by an option “ra1n”. Install this to upgrade your app. After upgrading, run blackra1n.app again. You will see “sn0w”. Install this, and enjoy your unlocked iPhone.

He has notes up for new jailbreakers, pwnagetool users, and iPhone 2G owners as well (who don’t need blacksn0w but rather BootNeuter, as always).

(If you’re a Twitter user, show him love by helping #blacksn0w trend.) Lastly, a warning:

Also, a note. This may be the best iPhone users ever have it. Be sure, if you have a 3GS or iPod Touch 3, to use Cydia’s “On File” or Firmware Umbrella in order to be able to restore to 3.1.2 in the future. And as always, the baseband cannot be downgraded, so be super careful with updates if you need the unlock.

For more, head on over to TiPb’s Jailbreak and Unlock Forums, and happy sn0w day!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

blacksn0w iPhone Unlock Day Moved To — Today