iPod Touch

RedSn0w Might Be The iPod Touch Jailbreak We Were Waiting For

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated November 25, 2016

If you follow the Dev Team on Twitter, you prbably saw this tweet that points to a website named www.RedSn0w.com. You can't help but noticing how close this domain name is to YellowSn0w, the iPhone 3G soft unlock...

Looking at it a little closer and doing a "who is" search for the 2 domain names (YS - RS) show that both domains are hosted on the save servers, which makes it very likely that RedSn0w was registered by a member of the Dev Team and most importantly, that RedSn0w is a new product from our favorite Apple hackers.

It doesn't require you to be some kind of psychic to figure out that an iPod Touch jailbreak is the only thing right now. We have the iPhone 2G and 3G jailbreak and unlock. We have the iPod Touch 1st gen jailbreak. All we need now is an iPod Touch 2nd generation jailbreak.

So what do you think? Am I right? Am I wrong? I look forward to reading your thoughts...

UPDATE: It seems I am on something here. After asking MuscleNerd, Pumpkin, and the Dev Team on Twitter to comment on my post, they all gave the same answer within minutes (see 1, 2, 3).

Google Street View Enabler for iPod Touch

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 29, 2016

A couple of days ago, I wrote about a simple hack to allow iPod Touch users to get Google Street View on the iTouch. The hack is very simple but it does require some file editing, which can be scary to some.

A new application available in Cydia just makes it easier for iPod Touch users to enable Street View. The app, called Street View Enabler, is free, and it seems to work perfectly. I don't have an iPod Touch so I haven't been able to verify this but Street View Enabler is getting good reviews everywhere in forums.

So if you have an iPod Touch, launch Cydia and look for Street View Enabler. Install it and you should be good to go. Be careful though! You have to install this on an iPod Touch with firmware 2.2. Installing it on an iPhone (which would be pointless) or an iTouch on 2.1 can cause problems.

Photo Gizmodo

Hack To Get Google Street View On iPod Touch

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 23, 2017

If you're an iPod Touch owner and you feel that you've been left alone with the Google street view feature, I have some good news for you. iPodTouchFans.com user timmyj9 reveals a hack that will allow you to get Google street view on your iPod Touch.

To do so, you will need some very basic skills. Here it goes:

1. get this file via ssh: /System/Library/CoreServices/SpringBoard.app/N45AP.plist 2. convert to xml at http://iappcat.com/plist/bin2xml 3. add

<key>telephony</key> <dict> <key>maximumGeneration</key> <real>2.5</real> </dict>

underneath

<key>standAloneContacts</key> <true/>

4. save then using that website again reconvert to binary 5. rename original file N45AP.old 6. copy new N45AP.plist in (make sure permissions are 644) 7. reboot ipod all new Maps features work however you get a searching for service (replaces the word ipod in the top left) and waiting for activation message that pops up occassionally, music settings disappear also music slot in prefs disappears (hjrry)

I haven't tried this as I don't have an iPod Touch but I'd love to hear from you if you try this hack out. Share your experience in the comments.

iPhone Firmware 2.2 is Out. Jailbreakers Should Not Update!

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 29, 2016

The rumor was right... Apple did release firmware 2.2 last night and for once, it seems that we have some useful features added:

Enhancements to Maps:

Google Street View public transit and walking directions display address of dropped pins share location via email

Enhancements to Mail

resolve isolated issues with scheduled fetching of email improved formatting of wide HTML email

Other Enhancements

Improved stability and performance of Safari Podcasts are now available for download in the iTunes application (over Wi-Fi and cellular networks) Decrease in call set-up failures and call drops Improved sound quality of visual voicemail messages Pressing the Home button from any Home screen takes you the first Home screen Preference to turn on/off keyboard auto-correction

Apparently, iPod Touch users don't get the Google Maps upgrade that includes the addition of Street View as well as public transit and walking directions.

Like they did earlier this week, the Dev Team warns us about updating the iPhone using iTunes.

So, as anticipated our friends the misfits have recently released the long awaited 2.2 update. We can confirm that this update SHOULD NOT be applied using iTunes if you want the chance of a soft-unlock in the near future.

If you want to keep that option of a ‘soft-unlock in the near future’ available but you want the new features of 2.2, you will be able to update to 2.2 using a PwnageTool created custom ipsw file that disables the baseband update. You will be able to do this using an updated version of PwnageTool that will be released sometime soon.

Some facts -

The 2.2 firmware for 3G contains a baseband update for the 3G iPhone The 2.2 firmware for 2G (1st gen iPhones) doesn’t contain a baseband update and the baseband is still at 04.05.04 We believe that our Pwnage technique (and therefore the Jailbreak) isn’t affected, but PwnageTool and QuickPwn do not support this release as yet, so DO NOT install 2.2 using iTunes as you will lose your jailbreak If you apply this update and you previously relied on PwnageTool or QuickPwn to activate your phone, it may become temporarily deactivated and unusable (until we release the new version of PwnageTool or QuickPwn). PwnageTool and QuickPwn updates will be released as soon as possible that will allow a safe update path to 2.2 the release of these updates is inevitable but not imminent, we are creating the modifications right now and we need to put the new software through the usual testing process. If you apply this update and you have third-party (non AppStore) applications that you rely on they will stop working. 2G (1st gen) iPhone users who cannot wait for the new PwnageTool or QuickPwn can safely “Update” to 2.2 using iTunes, this will preserve the existing activation. However “restoring” to 2.2 using iTunes will return the iPhone to the unactivated state. If you are in any doubt just wait. NB: This works for 2G ONLY. The use of SIM-Proxies (small circuit boards/chips that sit underneath the SIM card) to provide GSM/UMTS service on your locked iPhone 3G is a method that we have always advised against. Early reports suggest that the 2.2 update disables the functionality of these devices. The techniques used were always unreliable and we are surprised that they have lasted this long. We are not working on the 2nd generation iPod touch at the moment, so we cannot comment on what the the 2.2 software update may do to this specific model

So, as always, if you are in any doubt whatsoever please delay the install of this firmware on any of your devices until we have investigated the release in more detail. Watch this space ;-)

Also, iTunes 8.0.2 is out now. I doubt this will make much difference either way, but ask yourself, why bother. Just because a new version is out doesn’t mean you want it. I would hold off on this also.

iPhone Firmware 2.2 and iTunes 8.0.2 are both available from the downloads section of our blog.

Controlling Cool Electronic Stuff with your iPhone

Guest Author ∙ Updated March 18, 2019

The new Sonos[iTunes Link] Controller for iPhone app has really got me thinking about all the cool things we are going to be able to do with the iPhone. I've compiled this list of things you can manipulate with your iPhone.

Controlling your Car

Delphi has come up with a really cool app that lets your lock and unlock your car, power automatic doors, and even remote start your car. Although it is just a concept, it was demo'd at CES 2008 working with a GMC Acadia vehicle. It works with a blue-tooth enabled key fob that can work from up to a mile a way. This software also allows users to monitor and control several aspect's of a vehicle's system, including temperature, tire pressure, gas levels, oil levels, and can detect break ins.

Controlling What You Watch on TV

I already wrote about controlling your DirecTV DVR to setup recordings, but you can also control Tivo interface.

Believe it or not, You Can Use Your iPhone to Fly an Aircraft

The clever folks at UC Berkeley have developed a system to issue commands to unmanned aerial vehicles using a device we all know and love: the iPhone.

While the iPhone is specifically restricted from piloting the drones themselves, the team uses Mobile Safari on the iPhone to enter coordinates and select tasks for its airborne fleet. A web server then relays the tasks to the aircraft mid-flight.

The video shows, in real time, an exercise where a remote-controlled airplane is instructed to photograph a particular area underneath it. The photo is then transmitted wirelessly back to a workstation at ground control.

Controlling Your Home

There have been several different home automation applications for the iPhone. iPhone Home Controller lets an iPhone User set up a home automation scheme using x10 automation hardware and a Safari/iPhone/iTouch optimized web interface controller. Crestons Home Automation iPhone Application elegantly enables wired home owners to control lighting, temperature and all sorts of other things via WiFi or 3G, at home or anywhere else in the world. Users can even program in settings for multiple houses, enabling them to turn the AC on in Orlando while blasting the heat in Jackson Hole. You can get the source code for a home grown X-10 iPhone app as well.

Controlling your Bathomatic Bubble Bath Tub

You can even regulate the bubbles in your whirlpool tub with an iPhone. Now that is luxury.

Controlling a Radio Controlled Car

A guy having fun figured out how to use the iPhone to control his RC Car. He set up an interface and leveraged the accelerometer to steer it.

Controlling your Music At Home

Sonos is a wireless digital music player that plays digital music files from your PC or networked hard drive anywhere in the home. The Sonos Controller for iPhone™ is a free application that turns your iPhone (or iPod® touch) into a full-fledged Sonos Controller. I am really excited because I have been eyeing their system for years but didn't want to spend the $900. Their new iPhone app will let me buy just the ZonePlayer Base and I can use our iPhones and iTouches to control it around the house.

Remote, the well known free Apple app that lets you control iTunes and pipe music throughout your house. I described how to do this here.

Controlling your Music Jam

There are iPhone Applications that use your iPhone / iTouch touch as new generation midi controller for your favorite audio DAW or VJ performance tool. iTM MCU [iTunes Link] is the latest iTM release Mackie Control Emulation for your iPhone or iPod touch ITMMidi [iTunes Link]. ProRemote [iTunes Link] is a product that runs on the iPhone and iPod Touch that uses your existing wireless network to control professional audio products such as Digidesign’s ProTools and Apple’s Logic Music production systems.These apps free you up so that you can sit at your instrument and make changes to your setup without stopping and walking across the room every few minutes.

Control Your Computer

There are several apps that let you remotely control your home or work computer with your iPhone. Jaadu VNC [iTunes Link], formerly known as Touchpad Pro, lets you wirelessly control your PC or Mac through your iPhone or iPod Touch. You can use it to advance slides in a presentation, control your media center, check e-mail -- whatever a regular touchpad and keyboard can do. It's got various features that you really have to see to believe. With ScreenView, you can now see what's happening on your screen and control your computer even if you're miles away. Watch the video to learn more! It is a bit pricey at $24.99 but a lot more expensive that one of these presentation remote controllers they sell in office supply shops. Also available in the App Store are Mocha VNC, and Mocha VNC lite. If you've jailbroken your phone, you can use Cydia to get Veency, a very robust useful VNC application to reverse this, i.e., control and view your iPhone from your computer.

Controlling your Digital Picture Frames

Now that Wifi digital picture frames are becoming more available, I expect to see more of this, but right now I could only find one company that let you do this: Control your digital picture frame with your iPhone. eStarling frames lets you use the application by SeeFrame [iTunes Link], to send photos from your iPhone to wifi connected picture frames.

iPhone Tips and Tricks: Safari

Guest Author ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Share your URL in an Email

If you want to send the URL of a Web page you’re viewing to a friend, tap the Address Bar, then tap Share. A new e-mail message, containing the URL, will open in Mail; just choose a recipient(s), add any comments you want to include, and tap Send.

Page Down

When not using a zoomed-in display, double-tap towards the bottom of the screen. The page will re-center around your tap. Make sure not to tap a link!

Jump to the top of the Page

Double-tap the very top of the screen, just below the time display to pop back to the top of the page. (Thanks John C)

Zoom onto a Single Picture

Double-tapping images in Safari zooms them to fit your iPhone display. If the picture is linked to a URL, this can prove a little tricky but it works great for non-linked images. Double-tap again to return to the unzoomed display. Using 2 fingers to double tap, and zoom a section of a web page will avoid the accidental clicking of links.

Zoom a Column

You can zoom text columns as well as pictures. Double-tap on the column to fit it to the display. Double-tap again to return out of the zoom. Not only does Safari zoom block-quoted text independently of regular text but if you move your finger after the first double-tap-to-fit, it interprets the next double-tap as a re-center page command rather than a return-to-previous-zoom. Smart.

Stopping a scroll

After flicking a page to get it to scroll, you can tap the page at any time to stop that movement. Don't forget, you can also manually drag the screen display to reset the part you're viewing.

Manual Zoom

This is probably one of the most-advertised Safari features (along with the flip-the-phone-on-its-side-trick) but it's worth mentioning again. To zoom into a Safari page, put your thumb and forefinger on the screen and move them apart. To zoom out, pinch the fingers together after starting with them apart.

Examining the URL

To peek at a link's destination, touch and hold the link for a few seconds. You can also do this with images to see if they are linked. If a link appears and you don't want to activate it, just slide your finger away until the destination text disappears.

Locking the Scroll to One Direction

The iPhone 'locks' your scroll to either vertical or horizontal only if the initial finger-slide is straight up/down or right/left enough. This can be very useful if you've got a skinny column of text with room on either side to get derailed. If not your initial scroll, using 2 fingers side by side will force vertical scrolling. Likewise 2 fingers stacked is horizontal.

Save Images

Save images in Safari by tapping and holding on the image and you will see a “Save Image” button. Great feature if you want to use images you find online as your wallpaper.

Press & Hold For Alternate Characters

Hold a letter for a popup of various versions of the character (i.e. to type España with the "ñ" simply hold "n" and simply slide/release to the appropriate character).

Click & Hold URL's

In Safari, hold a link to see the URL and site name.

Enter Special Characters in Safari Address Bar

When you have selected the number keypad (@123) while typing text in the Safari Address bar, pressing the Shift Key, changes the symbols you can select. In other keyboards (for example the Google search text box, the Shift key is replaced with a second symbol option key (#+=) but this doesn't appear in the address bar. To access these symbols, just press Shift key and pick the character.

Changing Search Engine to Yahoo

By default, Safari uses the Google search engine when you enter search text. However, you can change it to Yahoo but selecting the Safari Option in the Settings application. Pick this option and select the Search Engine option to change it to Yahoo.

MenuLizard

Guest Author ∙ Updated March 18, 2019

Menulizard is a Web App that lets you search for restaurants by name, by state, or by zipcode and displays the location, phone number, restaurant hours, and menu for each restaurant it returns. There are other apps that do some of this, but the menu feature just really hits it home for me.

It has a very simple, straightforward interface and works just like it should. The address links you to google maps, the phone number lets you dial it, etc.

But what I like most about it is that it let's your average Joe send them menus. This will help them grow their database organically. Too many restaurant guides on the web rely on restaurant owners or their staff to keep their database current and they just don't succeed. To upload a menu, simply mail it to them.

I live in Connecticut and currently there aren't any restaurants loaded for my state, but I have a whole drawer full of local menus that just take up valuable kitchen drawer space so I think I am going to pack them up this weekend and send them to MenuLizard.

They also have a trends menu that lets you see some top lists and metrics about their database. You can look up 20 biggest menus, 20 newest menus, etc. Very interesting.

The only suggestion I have for them is to let people email them menus. They explain why faxes are really hard for them to read and I get that, but their are really good quality scanners out there today and an email attachment would work pretty well for them too. Snail mail is so last decade :) It would also be great if they would let people upload pictures of food to associate with menu items.

For small changes to the menu, they request an email message.

Underestimating the Power of an iPhone/Netbook Combination

Guest Author ∙ Updated July 24, 2016

It's all over the web that OLO Computers is going to launch a netbook that allows the iPhone to be inserted into the keyboard to be used as a touch pad. I've seen some sites say that it will be iPhone powered and other sites say that the MAC OS on the display is confusing. There are all sorts of doomsday warning point to past integration efforts. But what if these expectations are making it too complicated? What if they are just creating a netbook that just leverages your iPhone. I mean that the computer is a Netbook in its own right, but just has a great iPhone docking mechanism that could trigger all sorts of automatic connections between the two.

Things that would be cool would be:

Allow me to automatically tether my netbook to my iPhone so I could use it to wireless connect to the internet anywhere. I can do this now, but what if they made it automatic upon docking? Use it as a plug and play drive so I can access the data on my iPhone. Use it sync my iPhone with iTunes. Use it as a secondary interface. Besides using it as a touch panel, I could have game controls or hot keys or specialty buttons on my iPhone screen that interact with the software on my Netbook. Use it with all sorts of client apps that allow you to expand the functionality of an iPhone App. For example, I use a health app to track my workouts, when I dock it, that app is available with visualization features (charting and reporting) and import/export functionality on the Netbook. Can you think of any other ideas?

How to Use an iPhone Without the Data Plan

Guest Author ∙ October 11, 2008

[digg-me]After playing with my kids iTouch's it became clear to me how much the iTouch is lacking in functionality. Before buying one I considered it just an iPhone without the ability to make calls. The lack of camera was the biggest surprise, because I can't figure out why they left it out. The GPS and Camera would have been really nice to have even if I can't use it as a phone.

So would it still be better to buy an iPhone and use it just like an iTouch but with camera and GPS? I found a thread on one of the iPhone forums where a guy, who was going to college and couldn't afford the $30.00 a month data plan, but wanted an iPhone anyway. He was on campus where they had a robust wifi connection all of the time and didn't really need the data plan. He already had an AT&T cell phone (a Razor), and just wanted to get a used iPhone and put his SIM card into it.

After giving the guy a hard time, a good samaritan responded with a way to do just that. He pointed out a cool service offered by unlockit. It is an APN Changer for 3G iPhones. It lets you turn off the Edge and 3G data service on your iPhone. This lets you use an AT&T SIM card with your iPhone but lets you use it without adding the iPhone data plan.

To use this service do the following:

Put the AT&T Sim card in the already activated iPhone. Make a wifi connection to a local wifi source. Navigate to this page. Click "Continue To The Next Page". Click Disable Data (Fake APN). The Install Profile window appears. Click Install. Another Install Profile window will popup warning you that authenticity of this profile cannot be verified. Click Install on this window too. You should now see a message stating "Could not activate Cellular Data Network; You are not subscribed to a cellular data service.

You should now be able to make phone calls and be able to use wifi to access the internet. When you aren't connected, you should get an error.

To remove the 3G/Edge block, simply go to your Network settings and removed the Fake APN profile.

This thread pointed out a really cool service.

iPod Touch 2.1 Jailbreak Update

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated February 5, 2016

I posted this morning about a new shady way to jailbreak your 2.1 iPod Touch. It seems many people are having issues with this method and the guy who first posted about this jailbreak technique posted a new way to do it through a GUI version of QuickPwn.

It is still very very shady and we still haven't heard from the DevTeam about that so again, if I were you, I would NOT attempt to jailbreak my iPod Touch 2.1 for the time being.