iOS 6.1.3 Found to Have Yet Another Lock Screen Passcode Bypass Glitch

iOS 6.1.3 was released yesterday to address numerous security holes, as well as improve the Maps application in Japan, and fix a lock screen vulnerability that could allow a user to bypass the lock screen passcode. 

Now it seems that the new iOS 6.1.3 release has just introduced yet another lock screen vulnerability allowing the user to bypass the lock screen passcode and have access to the victim's contacts, photos, call history, and more. The glitch involves using a tool to eject the SIM card, such as a SIM eject tool or paperclip, and using the voice dial feature:

Youtube Video 

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As soon as you eject the SIM card when the phone call is about to go through via voice dial, the iPhone won’t know what to do and the screen will go straight to the Phone application. From here, the victim’s personal information is freely available for viewing by the user.

As the video explains, disabling the voice dial feature from the Settings application can keep you protected from this glitch; alternatively, you can watch your iPhone like a hawk and make sure no one ever gets the chance to touch your iPhone except for you, but the former is definitely the most efficient way to keep yourself protected.

Apart from patching exploits used in the evasi0n iOS 6 untethered jailbreak, the additional lock screen vulnerability that came with a firmware update meant to fix another lock screen vulnerability is just yet another reason not to bother updating to the latest firmware.

AT&T Brings 4G LTE to Some New Locations

AT&T has announced Wednesday afternoon that the wireless carrier has made some adjustments to the coverage of its 4G LTE cellularnetwork.

According to the press release, AT&T has turned on 4G LTE cellular coverage for the first time in the following locations:

• Athens, Ohio
• Dyersburg, Tennessee
• Sebring, Florida

In addition to adding 4G LTE cellular coverage to these new locations, it was also announced that AT&T’s 4G LTE cellular coverage has been expanded in Mobile, Alabama. The expansion means that the coverage was already there, however they've fine-tuned the coverage to make it more widely available in the location where coverage may have been spotty.

4G LTE offers a theoretical download speed of 100Mb/s; however, due to the realities of network congestion and other inconveniences, users might realistically only experience about 20-60Mb/s of download speed on their 4G LTE devices when connected to the 4G LTE network.

Many of Apple's newer devices can take advantage of the ultra-fast 4G LTE speeds, such as the iPhone 5, iPad with retina display, and iPad Mini.

Are you in any of the new locations announced to have 4G LTE coverage?

Update for GarageBand for iOS Provides Support for Audiobus

Apple recently released version 1.4 of GarageBand for iOS bringing a few enhancements to the mobile music production app, the most notable of which being support for third party app Audiobus. With the additional support, GarageBand can record audio piped in from standalone apps supported by Audiobus standard. Audiobus is a third-party iOS app that touts “app-to-app” streaming of compatible digital instruments like synthesizers and drum kits to other editing apps.

The compatibility will be an added bonus to many music makers that seem to have invested in the Audiobus platform and want to use GarageBand’s flavor of multi-track recording. In recent memory, Apple hasn’t allowed such third-party integration with its mobile offerings. Along with Audiobus support, Wednesday’s update also brings the option to turn off grid snapping and fixes a feedback issue that occurred when a third-party accessory was plugged into an iOS device’s headphone jack.


The release notes state the following:

• Play and record music apps supported by Audiobus directly into GarageBand*
• Turn off grid snapping to get finer control over region and note editing
• Fixes an issue that resulted in feedback while connecting 3rd-party audio accessories into the headphone/microphone jack
• Requires iPhone 4S, iPod touch (5th generation), iPad 2 or later. Audiobus requires a separate purchase.

The latest iteration of GarageBand (version 1.4) weighs in at 588 MB and is available to download from the App Store for $4.99. Audiobus is a 3.9 MB download which comes priced at $9.99. 

The future is mobile, the future is Android: Google's Schmidt

Mobile is the next big thing and no company can ignore smartphones and technologies that drive mobile applications, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said Wednesday.

"In the near term, the next big thing is mobile. As it was last year and the year before that," Schmidt said New Delhi at a Nasscom event on the launch of an initiative on catalysing start-ups in India.

Emphasising on the growth in smartphone usage and mobile computing, he said businesses should have their best developers working on their mobile applications.

"As smartphones are growing, mobile apps are also going to be a big thing and no company can ignore that," he said.

Schmidt, who has previously worked with Novell and Sun Microsystems, said that Android will be a major player in the mobile phone market.

"Android is going to be the majority player in the market. It supports a lot of devices and is a great platform," he added.

Another thing which the Princeton University electrical engineering graduate feels is important for innovation is artificial intelligence. "I would want my computer to tell me what I have to do, who I have to meet, what I said and what wrong did I say. More artificial intelligence is going to drive innovation."

For a mobile app to become successful, he said that a better way is to develop a platform which other people can use to innovate.

"Another most important thing, which a start-up needs to know is DNROOC -- Do Not Run Out Of Cash," he advised.

On the most successful CEOs, Schmidt said that Apple founder Steve Jobs is the most impressive person.

"Steve is the most impressive CEO. He was a complicated person but he had a vision to change the world," he added.

For a successful business leader, he said one needs to see the future before anyone else does it.

"Entrepreneurs are born, they cannot be created. You cannot be trained, it has to come from within," Schmidt said.

On Google's success, he said, "We focus on hiring the smartest people and I would advise you to look for the smartest people around and convince them to join your company."

Evernote Food Updated with Slew of New Features

Evernote Food, an app that provides people a way to search and save recipes, locate restaurants close-by, and share food experience details has updated to version 2.1 today, following the release of version 2.0 back in December. Evernote Food is updated with more services allowing integration with popular restaurants and social apps. 

If you have the OpenTable app on your iOS device, you can go ahead and delete it because OpenTable’s reservation system is now built into the app itself. Not only can you make reservations on the updated version of Evernote, but you can also share saved recipes via Twitter, Facebook or e-mail. In addition to all the new features, Foursquare’s ratings for restaurants are available for viewing so you can see what others thought about the restaurant before going.

The update has other minor improvements and users located in Japan and China can now search for recipes from top regional publishers as well. The company is smartly partnering with other social apps and tying in activity experiences back to Evernote. Evernote had reported a security breach earlier this month, so today’s update reminds you to reset your password as well. 

Google's Eric Schmidt talks about cheap smartphones starting at Rs. 2,700 / $50

Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt says a basic smartphone with a web browser and web-client apps would be available in the market at a price of around $50.

A $50 smartphone with basic functionalities including a web browser and web-client apps will be soon a reality, says Google Inc.'s executive chairman Eric Schmidt.

Without revealing any details about the stage of development of such a smartphone, Schmidt said Google encourages mobile phone manufacturers to develop cheaper devices with the web-browsing capabilities as it helps increase 'mobile-based Internet penetration'.

Business Standard in its report points out the availability of an internet-enabled smartphone at this price point – approximately Rs. 2,700 (direct currency conversion) could have a huge impact in India. The report says usages of mobile-based Internet in India is as high as 25 percent as compared to 15 percent global. The figures could go up if such smartphones are made available to the Indian customers.

While talking to the media, Schmidt added the dealing with the local governments was among the biggest tasks in all market where Google has its operations. He expressed hope the Indian government does not go China's way and become regressive. “Outsourcing created one kind of boom and now more investment in internet can create a bigger boom,” he said.

Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt is currently in India as part of his mini-Asia tour and is slated to visit various countries in the continent. Schmidt is scheduled to address The Guardian's Big Tent Activate India event scheduled on March 21 in New Delhi.

Schmidt has already set the media abuzz with his critical views about India's stance on the Internet freedom. In an article published in Times of India, Schmidt said: “Now is the moment for India to decide what kind of internet it wants for them: an open internet that benefits all or a highly regulated one that inhibits innovation.”

“The past 10 years show that the safest economic, social and political bet is on openness. Where there is a free and open Web, where there is unbridled technological progress, where information can be disseminated and consumed freely, society flourishes.”

New App Released for Epic Rap Battles of History

                        

Have you ever seen Epic Rap Battles of History -a hit YouTube series that has over a million viewers per video? The creators Peter Shukoff and Lloyd Ahlquist did a Steve Jobs vs. Bill Gates battle to a catchy rap song where the two pretended to be titans of the computer industry. CreatorsShukoff and Ahlquist have been doing many videos and working on the series- now in season 2, including videos of Adam vs. Eve, Darth Vader vs. Hitler, Abe Lincoln vs. Chuck Norris, and many more. 

Due to all the success the series has received, you can now find it in the App store for free. The app called Epic Rap Battles by Maker Studios Entertainment allows you to watch all of the videos from the series so far. The app provides behind-the-scenes footage as well as news and insight about the series. 
Looks like iOS users will have another app to mess around when they have some free time to spare.