PDF Patch Fixes the PDF Exploit in iOS

Sébastien Page ∙ August 12, 2010

In my previous post today I was telling you the Dev Team was working on a patch for the PDF exploit found in iOS and not fixed by Apple on older iPhones and iTouch. The PDF Patch has been released in Cydia for free and you can install it now.

PDF Patch will fix the security hole that was used by JailbreakMe and could potentially be used to inject malicious softwares on your device.

If you have updated your iDevice to 4.0.2, there is no point using this patch. However, if you're still on an older iPhone 2G or iPod Touch 1G, or if you don't want to update to 4.0.2, then this patch will be for you.

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Dev Team Fixes What Apple Didn’t

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated February 16, 2018

The Dev Team wrote a blog post this morning telling they are working on a fix for iPhone 2G and iPod Touch 1G who were left out of yesterday's iOS update. Apple released iOS 4.0.2 to fix a PDF security hole that was used by JailbreakMe to jailbreak the iPhone. This security glitch could have also been exploited by malicious softwares, which explains why Apple was so quick to release a fix for it.

The problem is Apple completely denied support for older models like the original iPhone and iPod Touch. Even though Apple acknowledges the severity of the holes, they didn't deem it necessary patching them on these older iDevices.

This is where the Dev Team steps in. The jailbreak community had already developed a quick fix (PDF Loading Warner) but it was more of a safety net than anything else. According to the Dev Team, "Saurik has been burning the midnight oil coding a Cydia package that will fix the holes for all devices and all firmware versions (even going back to version 2.x!)."

UPDATE: PDF Patch is available in Cydia for free.

The fix will go through a short testing period and will then be available for download in Cydia. As I said earlier, JailbreakMe highlights the irony of jailbreaking. Apple has always claimed jailbreaking could expose your iPhone to safety risks. Today it proves that jailbreaking your iPhone is the best way to keep your iPhone safer, as Apple won't do it if you're still using an older iPhone or iTouch.

What do you think?

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Linux Director Spouts Off About the AppStore (and Everything Else)

Guest Author ∙ August 12, 2010

In a recent interview with Wired, Jim Zemlin, the Executive Director for Linux (yes that Linux), gave his opinion on the present and future state of the App Store. Why anyone would ever look towards Linux to give you a mobile business opinion is beyond me. However, Zemlin had a few points I'll highlight for you.

Zemlin says that Apple's status with the App Store is "totally within reach". Then states that the top 10 pages are "the only ones that matter". Already it was hard to take him seriously with this sort of rhetoric. If the App Store is so reachable, let's have the competitor. As far as the top ten page being all the store has to offer, I won't insult your intelligence by even offering up a defense to this lunacy.

When asked how the App Store model will change, the exec claims that developers aren't going to pay 30% forever. Instead he claims that an "App Warehouse" will be used, servicing carrier stores. Of course he follows by saying that this will cost the dev 15-20%, and the warehouse will (conveniently) run Linux. Yes, I'm serious, he really thinks this.

Wired sort of set him straight throughout the exchange, noting that businesses want to be on the iPhone, etc. The word of mouth, and easy accessibility that is integrated into having your service or product in the App Store, is priceless. Even the Linux boss himself noted how well Apple has implemented a savvy UI into its selections.

There is much more in this piece than I cared to cover, mostly because it's not iPhone (or even Apple) related. I will say that it seems a bit presumptuous to think that the App Store can or will be overtaken as easily as it is to say such. Fact is, most people who don't even own a smart phone can tell you something about Apple's App Store, or the iPhone for that matter. And Linux? Many of those same people would probably have to Google it. Whattaya think?

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CDMA iPhone in Verification Process?

Guest Author ∙ August 11, 2010

The man with the Apple info, John Gruber, has posted a long entry concerning the latest information about a CDMA iPhone. As with all undisclosed releases, this particular product is codenamed N92. So what's different about this rumor than all the others? Well, Gruber states that the mysterious device has entered Engineering Verification Testing (EVT) status. This is said to be just below Designed Verification Testing.

What may or may not be important to mention, is that the ordering of CDMA parts doesn't necessarily equal a Verizon iPhone. Sprint uses the same technology, so as the "facts" stand, they could be getting the iPhone. While that is possible, I see this note as Gruber covering his butt, just in case nothing happens.

When would this mammoth of an announcement come? Some say at the CES, while others predict a special announcement. LTE, Verizon's next focused technology, is rumored to be their focus at CES, so unveiling a CDMA product at the same time wouldn't make any sense. Wherever (if ever) it happens, January 2011 is the popular timeframe... right now anyway.

Gruber then goes on to question the popularity such a device would attract. The 1.7 million units AT&T sold in the iPhone 4 opening weekend is a difficult number to match. There would no doubt be lines, and long lines at that. We would really see just how many of Verizon's loyal fan-base have been waiting for the beloved iPhone.

We at iDB will faithfully keep bringing you the details as they emerge. As the new year approaches, I expect this to be make or break concerning the validity behind the Verizon iPhone. It seems as if we've been hearing (and forgetting) about the possibility for years. One thing is for certain, a release this huge will be difficult to conceal, even for Apple. Unless of course they happen to "lose" another one in a "random" bar. Any thoughts?

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Jailbreak & Unlock iOS 4.0.2 on iPhone 3G

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated September 27, 2010

Those of you who own an iPhone 3G or an iPod Touch 2G (non-MC model) can jailbreak/unlock iOS 4.0.2. To jailbreak your iPhone 3G 4.0.2, you will have to use RedSn0w 0.9.5b5-5.

How to Jailbreak iPhone 3G iOS 4.0.2

Step 1: Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed (iTunes 9.2).

Step 2: Download iOS 4 (not iOS 4.0.2) for iPhone 3G to your desktop from our iPhone downloads section.

Step 3: Update your iPhone to iOS 4.0.2 via iTunes.

Step 4: Download the latest version of RedSn0w from here.

Step 5: Point RedSn0w to the iOS 4 (not 4.0.2) you downloaded in step 2.

Step 6: Select “Install Cydia”.

Step 7: Follow the onscreen instructions.

Step 8: Let RedSn0w do the hard work for you. Once jailbroken, your iPhone will reboot.

How to Unlock iPhone 3G iOS 4.0.2

Since iOS 4.0.2 didn't update the iPhone baseband, you can still use UltraSn0w to unlock your iPhone.

Step 1: Jailbreak your iPhone using the method described above.

Step 2: Go to Cydia and search for UltraSn0w. If it’s not there, you might have to add the following repo: repo666.ultrasn0w.com

Step 3: Install UltraSn0w.

Step 4: Reboot your iPhone.

Tell us how it goes for you by leaving a comment below.

[Thanks Bruce for the tip]

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Camera+ For iPhone Sneaks in Volume Button Shutter Hack (For Now)

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

First let me say that Camera+ is in my top 5 of amazing iPhone apps. On the iPhone 4, this application allows you to maximize your photography abilities to a whole new level, when it comes to taking pictures on a phone. The developers at Taptaptap have snuck in a feature via Safari, that allows you to shutter photos using the volume buttons. Quite handy when you're using a paid app designed to take stable snapshots.

Apple rejected their public attempt, saying “Your application cannot be added to the App Store because it uses iPhone volume buttons in a non-standard way, potentially resulting in user confusion. Changing the behavior of iPhone external hardware buttons is a violation of the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement. Applications must adhere to the iPhone Human Interface Guidelines as outlined in the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement section 3.3.7” Apparently Apple doesn't think we are smart enough to operate the camera via physical buttons.

Fear not though. Just type “camplus://enablevolumesnap” (don't use quotations), into your iPhone's Safari URL box, and Camera+ version 1.2.1 will enable the feature. Want it removed? Just type “camplus://disablevolumesnap”, and you're back to its original state.

Like always when it comes to a developer circumventing Apple's ultimate authority, this won't last long, I'm sure. So you better grab it now, before it's banished into the violators oblivion. I can't help but again think of how many other, less popular apps, have hidden features sneaked into their applications.

[Smoking Apples]

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Will You Upgrade Your iPhone to 4.0.2?

Guest Author ∙ Updated September 1, 2010

As Sebastien reported just a bit ago, Apple released software update 4.0.2. This "update" is said to have addressed to the PDF exploit that the Dev Team discovered, thus allowing JailbreakMe to function with ease. For those of you who aren't jailbroken (which includes me), do you really plan to update this time?

It would have been nice of Apple to include the various features such as Game Center in this round, but perhaps the Beta isn't quite perfected to release to the masses. It's clear that this update was specifically aimed to prevent JailbreakMe from enticing those who buy their phone from today on. I bet the Dev's get all fuzzy inside when Apple directly implements fixes aimed at their work. I give credit to them (devs), as they do work hard on these jailbreaks.

I think I will be sitting this update out. It may even have a counterproductive effect on me. Now that the hole is patched, I just may jailbreak for the heck of it. How about you? Will you update this go around, or wait for a real update? Let us know in the comments below.

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iOS 4.0.2 is Out. Jailbreakers Beware

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

iOS 4.0.2 is out and available for download. As expected, this update fixes the security hole that was uncovered by JailbreakMe. If you rely on your jailbreak/unlock, you should not update until a new jailbreak has been found.

You can find all the download links for every iPhone model in our iPhone downloads section.

[Image 9 to 5 Mac]

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Face Time Mod Improves Quality of FaceTime Video Calls

Sébastien Page ∙ August 11, 2010

Face Time Mod is a new jailbreak app that changes the FPS (Frames Per Second) during your FaceTime calls to optimize the video quality depending on your Internet connection. This allows for better quality video if your wifi connection can handle it. In the same way, it will lower the quality of the video if you're running FaceTime on Edge using My3G for example.

By default, the original FPS is a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 15 as well. Face Time Mod brings the minimum down to 6 FPS and the max to 30 FPS.

There is one big downside to this app though: both iPhones must have Face Time Mod installed for it to work.

Face Time Mod is available for free in Cydia under the http://repo.modyouri.com repo.

What do you think of it?

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The Wallpaper I’m Using on My iPhone These Days

Sébastien Page ∙ August 11, 2010

A few of you have asked me what wallpaper I use on my iPhone so I figured I'd post it here for you to download. I found it online a few weeks ago but I can't remember exactly where. If you know where it's from, please post the link so I can credit the designer of this wallpaper.

Update: Thanks Stan for the update. This wallpaper is from Effektive Design. They have more colors there.

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Add Contacts to Your iPhone Springboard with CallMe

Sébastien Page ∙ August 11, 2010

CallMe is a jailbreak app that adds contacts directly to your iPhone springboard allowing you to call/text them in just one tap. After installing the application, you can launch it and choose the contacts you want to add to the home screen. If the contact has several numbers tied to him, you can choose which one you want to use, and whether you want to use it for call or SMS.

Contacts added to the home screen can be put into folders. Pretty convenient!

CallMe is available in Cydia for free. You will have to add the following repo: http://ispaziorepository.com.

If you try CallMe, please let us know what you think of it.

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