Default iOS hotspot passwords can be cracked in under a minute

You may want to reconsider using a default password iOS provides for hotspot functionality as researchers at a German university warn of the weaknesses that let attackers crack any default iOS hotspot password in under a minute. Although Windows Phone uses even weaker passwords and some Android vendors weaken their device's security by modifying the Wi-Fi-related components, Apple's problem is that iOS generates "random" hotspot passwords using a dictionary of only 1,842 different entries...

In a blow to Microsoft, Apple wins $30M LA school iPad contract

Apple again is flexing its muscle in classrooms. Every student in the Los Angeles Unified School District will receive an iPad, a contract worth $30 million. Apple has received the nod from the nation's second-largest school district as students and teachers overruled Microsoft, which argued its tablets better prepared school kids for the workplace.

In a unanimous vote, the LA school district board approved the contract to pay $678 per Apple tablet, one member telling The Los Angeles Times newspaper that the deal is "as big as they come." The contract is just the latest sign schools with tight budgets are opting for less-expensive tablets over traditional PCs for the classroom...

Apple TV update enables WatchESPN, HBO GO, Sky News, Crunchyroll and Qello

Apple on Tuesday announced that users can now stream ESPN and HBO to their television through the $99 Apple TV set-top box. Available as a free software update for the second and third-generation Apple TV, the just-released Apple TV software version 5.3 enables the popular iOS apps, WatchESPN and HBO GO, on your Apple TV, as well as an additional three content providers, UK's Sky News, anime site Crunchyroll and music concert streaming service Qello...

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour ‘Meltdown’ update explodes into the App Store

True to its promise, French developer Gameloft today unleashed a massive content update to the fourth installment of its popular wartime shooter franchise, Modern Combat. The 'Meltdown' content pack, as they're calling it, is of course free to players who've previously purchased the game.

The download brings with it three new maps, two new weapons - the portable 40mm Thor GLP grenade launcher and the SFS CTK-12 sniper rifle - two new game modes, a brand new Demolition specialization and a whole host of goodies aimed at balancing the gameplay...

How much is too much for mobile games?

I was going to write this post when everything was raw, soon after the news had developed and the internet was awash with people seemingly frothing at the mouth. Frothing, apparently, for one of two reasons.

Firstly, we had the people frothing because "ZOMG, 20 dollars for an iPad game!!!!." Apparently anything the wrong side of free is just about the developers trying to squeeze money out of their hard work. Because, well, it's their living.

Then secondly, there were the polar opposites. People screaming back, apparently oblivious to the fact they were wasting their time, claiming that developers deserve to be paid and that free to play games have ruined the App Store, caused world hunger and possibly even kicked a kitten once.

The truth though, as is so often the case, is somewhere in-between...

Capture and share short videos with Lightt

Micro video sharing has become a huge hit with the launch of Twitter’s popular video app Vine. While Twitter is not the first company to come up with such technology, it certainly made it famous.

Lightt is a video upload app that turns mini movies into a social experience. You can make stop motion animation shorts similar to the features of Vine, or you can make a one-minute unedited movie to share with others…

Apple testing system-wide integration of LinkedIn in iOS 7

Move over Twitter and Facebook, it looks like Apple is planning to add a third social network to the system-wide share sheet in iOS 7. According to code-based references found inside the first beta, the company is testing deep LinkedIn integration.

Similar to the setup with the two aforementioned networks, the code points to a single-sign-on system for LinkedIn accounts. This would allow users to easily post content, such as Web URLs, to LinkedIn from native and third party applications...

Video claims to show off iOS 7 running on iPad

A video is making rounds on the web claiming to depict iOS 7 running on an iPad. iDB was recently tipped of its existence and although we couldn't verify its authenticity, we've decided to post it for the sake of discussion. The clip runs one minute and 32 seconds long and looks genuine, showcasing what running the iOS 7 user interface and stock apps on a bigger canvas looks like (at least in the early stage of development).

We're unsure whether YouTube user Rozetked who posted video evidence has managed to hack iOS 7 to run on the device or if he got hold of an actual iPad build of the software. We'll let you be the judge, the clip is right after the break...

Social media roundup shows what people were talking about during WWDC

I follow quite a few developers, tech sites, tech writers and other worthwhile pundits on Twitter. So as you can imagine, my Twitter stream has been filled with talk of iOS 7, Jony Ive, and pretty much all things Apple over the past week.

And as it turns out, I'm not alone. According to a report from social media analytics firm Viral Heat, Apple was the talk of most major social networks last week. For example, over 400,000 tweets mentioned iOS 7. Infographic time!

DoubleTap: toggle brightness and volume with double tap gestures

Alan Yip, the creator of Tap to Widgets and Overview, is back with a brand new free tweak on Cydia. His tweak, Entitled DoubleTap, is a release that allows users to use three-finger double tap gestures to execute certain actions.

The included actions are a brightness toggle, volume up/down, and an orientation lock toggle. Although the under-the-hood mechanics are no-doubt deeper than what meets the eye, DoubleTap is a fairly simple tweak in usage. Full video walkthrough inside.

Vox: a minimalistic spin on the battery indicator

Looking for a minimalistic battery indicator, yet don't want to fool with any WinterBoard themes? If so, then you just got a brand new option. Vox is a recently released jailbreak tweak that reimagines the stock battery indicator for something a bit more subtle and minimalistic.

The tweak outright forgoes the numerical percentage, and eschews the skeuomorphic battery indicator for something a bit more abstract. Have a look at our video walkthrough for more details...

Apple seeking feedback on iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks from Cupertino locals

In a somewhat surprising move, Apple is allegedly asking select Cupertino locals for feedback on the interface changes in iOS 7. Specifically, the firm is thought to be holding campus sessions where they challenge cherry-picked Cupertino residents to weigh in on iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks.

Additionally, the company is said to be polling its retail store employees by seeding the initial preview of OS X Mavericks to Genius Bar and on-floor Apple Retail employees, the practice seemingly in line with Apple's previous major software updates...