Apple Has Already Developed A Fix for the PDF Exploit

An Apple spokeperson told CNET they are well aware of the security exploit found in iOS and they are apparently already working on it:

We're aware of this reported issue, we have already developed a fix and it will be available to customers in an upcoming software update.

This security glitch found in the way iOS handles PDF documents allowed the Dev Team to create JailbreakMe, which uses this exploit to inject the jailbreak code in your iPhone. Some security experts were quick to realize that this exploit could be used to inject malicious softwares in your iDevices and brought up this issue to the general public. The jailbreak community quickly developed a fix for it which can be downloaded directly from Cydia.

This morning I highlighted the irony of the situation. Apple has always claimed jailbreaking can put your iPhone at risk but it proved to be the other way around as so far, your iPhone is more secured once it is jailbroken and the exploit has been patched.

We don't know when Apple will release this software update, which will most likely come with 4.1. Apple usually isn't quick to fix things up so if I had a guess I'd say we won't see this update until the end of the month.

[9 to 5 Mac]

Vonage Offering Free Calls to Facebook Friends

So you've probably added all your old friends from your hometown via Facebook. While it's fun to "like" their latest pictures and status updates but you really don't want to waste your minutes on them, your problem is solved. Vonage has teamed up with Facebook, creating an app for your iPhone, (& Android), entitled Vonage Mobile for Facebook that allows free calls over Wi-Fi or 3G to anyone domestic or overseas, for free.

After you download the free app, just sign in with your Facebook account and you'll see a list of your friends who've done the same, and are ready to be called for free. You will also see whom you can chat with over IM. If you don't have unlimited 3G, or a Wi-Fi subscription, your first move should be checking with your carrier to figure out any charges that may apply to you.

Of course the program has its own Facebook page, which will allow you to invite your friends to the download the free app. This all sounds great, but I have one question. How many people are actually going to do this? Are you?

iTunes on Cloud Nine

Well I didn't see this coming after the supposed hangups with iTunes regarding "minimal" access through the cloud. Gizmodo reports that a fellow by the name of Michael Robertson has discovered streaming capabilities of your iTunes library through iDisk. Public sharing between devices with iDisk has been possible for a while, but never streaming in the background, until now. To those who aren't hip to the MobileMe features, iDisk is the online based storage that is included with the $99 annual fee.

Here's your formula:

Drag your songs, one by one, or folder by folder, into your iDisk. There is no playlist support as of now, though this writer thinks that feature is an inevitable reality. Right now iDisk has a 20GB maximum, so you big spenders, (or less than ethical gatherers), will have to be selective in the songs you want shared/streamed.

Having tested this myself, I'll say that it works flawlessly over Wi-Fi. Like I previously stated, the MobileMe service is $99 a year, which includes the apps it offers. Those of you with 3G service, let me know in the comment box how it works over the network. Enjoy!

How’s your APPetite?

I have a confession to make that might put my Fanboy status in jeopardy. I wasn't part of the iPhone click until the iPhone 3G veiled its beautiful body to us. It's a humbling revelation that I feel necessary to share. I have only been able to enjoy the iPhone with the App Store available. Having done my share of downloading and reviewing, (72 apps on my iPhone 4 today), I often wonder if I have maximized the potential that the App Store can cultivate.

It took me quite a while to break down and purchase paid applications. Probably too long. When I started adding iTunes credit to my account, it was if I was the conductor of entirely different ship. A much nicer ship.

I first hit apps which reflected the interests related to my lifestyle. Engadget, ESPN Radio, Echofon, Words with Friends, Tiger Woods, and those similar were the first to gain spots on my device. Then I gathered productivity enhancing apps like Docs 2 GO, Rowmote Pro, iStudiez, etc... Eventually I dabbled in games that already exist in "real life", then branched out to highly rated selections. I will admit I'm not much of a gamer, though I do enjoy a challenge as much as the next guy, (like eating 4 saltines in 60 seconds, minus water).

After a couple of years of wonderful, (and sometimes expensive) experiences, I noticed that the zealous downloading had subsided a bit. Don't get me wrong, the App Store is the single most important piece of the iPhone puzzle in my opinion. The ability to allow and include anybody with the ability and knowledge to develop, is a beautiful thing. My expectations are high, thus the reason behind the words you read. Does this leveling off of sorts include you?

I believe Apple has headed in the right direction with adding featured genres and categories now each week. I can honestly say it helps with both navigation, as well as keeping my wandering brain matter excited; believe me, this in itself can be a full-time job. Posting "Apps of the week" is another good utilization on Apple's part, though I might suggest adding a category-based App of the Week couldn't hurt.

All in all for the size of and population that App Store is, my concerns are very few. Let's not forget that most every credible source states that Apple's App Store is far ahead of any of its competitors. Perhaps my sometimes stagnant perception of the selection, is just simply the usual calming down effect that happens after a kid gets a new toy. Like that Tickle Me Elmo that has been sleeping under your kids bed for 2 years, untouched.

Let me know if you appetite is as intense as it once was. If not, there's always White Castle.

iPad Mini in the Works?

I love these rumors that are completely unfounded and created just for the sake of generating noise. The new iPad Mini rumor is no different than others.

According to iLounge:

A seven-inch-screened version of the iPad is substantially finished and will be ready for announcement either later this year or early in 2011. Apple has been prototyping devices with screens of this size for a long time—quite possibly predating the original iPhone.

It seems that every year around the same time we hear the same insane rumors. Before, it used to be about a potential iPhone Mini. Now that we have the iPad, of course the noise is about an iPad Mini.

This is not happening. And if it was, it would be in April, when Apple refreshes the iPad.

Woz Up?

Our favorite Apple walrus, Steve Wozniak, gave a mini sized press conference in Valencia, Spain last week. It's hard to imagine the big, cheerful fuzz king doing anything in small proportions, however the entire YouTube clip lasts just over 3 minutes. Of the topics "The Woz" was asked about and answered were, Apple & Google, the iPhone 4 antenna, Steve Jobs, and a feel-good recollection of his success as a young-spirited Apple enthusiast.

While there is nothing earth shattering revealed, (except maybe that beard ), it's nice seeing the big guy continuing to take his jolly approach to whatever comes his way. My favorite part of the clip comes at 2:10 when Wozniak states "While I do receive a small salary from Apple, I do virtually no real work". Well damn, that must be hard to get out of bed for each day. /sarcasm. No wonder he is always smiling.

The Irony of JailbreakMe

I was reading an article last night about how the vulnerability in iOS could be exploited by hackers to "enslave" the iPhone and how Apple is already looking into it. There sure is an exploit in iOS 4, which is used by JailbreakMe to inject the code to jailbreak your iPhone, but there is also a fix for that, once your iPhone is jailbroken.

Then the irony of the situation stroke me. Hard!

Apple has always been against jailbreaking, and even though it's now legal, they're certainly not going to help make the jailbreak process easier. In fact, here is an excerpt from a support document from Apple's website where they cite examples of issues caused by these unauthorized modifications to the iOS:

Compromised security: Security compromises have been introduced by these modifications that could allow hackers to steal personal information, damage the device, attack the wireless network, or introduce malware or viruses.

In this case the irony is that iOS is vulnerable out of the box and only jailbreaking and installing a patch makes your iPhone safer, at least until Apple updates iOS and fixes this issue.

So much for your safety net, Apple. It seems that unlike what you're telling me, my iPhone is actually safer once jailbroken.

What do you think?

iPhone Case Giveaway: 10 iVogue Cases to Win

We're not Apple so we won't be able to give free cases to every iPhone 4 owner out there, but the folks over at iVogue were kind enough to give us 10 cases to give away to our most loyal readers.

Here is what you have to do to enter the contest:

1. You must be in the US.

2. Look at the images after the jump and figure out what case you would like.

3. Go to our FaceBook page and under the entry titled "What Case Do You Want?", tell us what model and color you would want to receive.

4. Optional: you get extra points for retweeting this article on Twitter.

I will randomly pick 10 winners before the end of the week and I will send them an email via FaceBook to ask for their mailing address.

For more information about iVogue, I suggest you check out their website as they have a great selection of inexpensive iPhone cases.

Got an iPhone, Do I Need a Mac?

The last few days I have seen this very question posed around the web. PC owners who love their iPhone, now wondering if they are missing something by not coinciding their device with a Mac computer. The short answer is no, you don't need a Mac to utilize the features on the iPhone itself. That being said, you are missing out on some pretty convenient tools without the combination. Allow me to shed some light.

We can start with the basics, iTunes, the iPhone home base of sorts. As you now know, to set up and add items to your favorite handheld, you must use iTunes at some point. Don't think this is a coincidence. Some will go as far as to say it was designed so much with this in mind, that its purpose was to get the PC owners to switch. iTunes was created on and for Mac computers. The platform itself runs noticeably smoother on a Mac than any PC you can provide, I will guarantee you that. Once you're in Tunes, the ability to sync within the application is absolutely effortless.

There are other features that the Mac can sync that your PC just doesn't have. iCal, the calendar on your iPhone, has an identical twin that rests on the desktop of every Mac computer. Syncing your oh-so-important life events couldn't be any easier than if you designed it yourself. MobileMe, which is available for $99 a year, will also add much appreciated benefits with the combination of an Apple handheld and a Mac computer.

Mail, Contacts and your photo Gallery are all worthy features you will enjoy. The iPhoto application on a Mac is one of the biggest enhancements I have enjoyed after switching from PC to Mac. Again here, syncing is painless, and once the photos are moved on to your Mac, you can sync the iPhoto app with your MobileMe Gallery. Like I previously said, the coinciding of the devices is not a coincidence, it's designed to be like this to reward current owners, and lure those who aren't.

For the ambitious iPhone owners who are interested in contributing (and collecting) from the App Store mania, for you it's a must. XCode, which is the format used to develop apps for the iPhone, only works on a Mac machine. I don't suspect this will ever change, so if you're thinking of writing an app, stop waiting and make the purchase.

At the end of the day I've only given you a few of the compatibility enhancements of using your iPhone with a Mac. The neat part is the hands on workmanship and productivity that seems to come almost too easy. What you will like best will ultimately come down to the functions you most desire. So, do you need to buy a Mac to enjoy your iPhone? No, but Apple would sure appreciate it if you bought one, and so will you.

AppSync for iPhone

AppSync 4.1 is now available for download for iPhone iOS 4.1.

AppSync 4.1 will work with iOS 4.1, 4.0.1 and iOS 4.0. To download and install, you must first add http://cydia.hackulo.us as a new source in Cydia, then look for AppSync 4.1.

AppSync for iOS 4.2 is now available. Look it up on Cydia. It will work with iOS 4.2.1 on iPhone, iPad, and iTouch.

Disclaimer: This is for information purposes only. iDB condemns iPhone app piracy. If you want an application, please pay for it!

InfiniFolders Lets You Add Unlimited Icons to Your iPhone Folders

InfiniFolders is a new application that lets you add unlimited icons to your folders. Currently you are limited to 12 apps per folder but InfiniFolders will lift this restriction and allow you to have unlimited icons in each folder.

Very similar to InfiniBoard, you can access your apps inside folders through a flick up and down.

InfiniFolders is available in Cydia for $1.99. It was developed by Chpwn, one of my favorite jailbreak app developer, who previously brought us InfiniBoard and InfiniDock.

Let us know how you like InfiniFolders if you choose to download it.