iOS 4.2

iOS 4.3.3 arrives, patches location database

Apple today released, as promised, an iOS update addressing location-tracking behavior, and the security of that information on its portable devices.

iOS 4.3.3, which is a free update delivered through Apple's iTunes software, reduces the size of the "crowdsourced" location cache, no longer backs up the cache to iTunes in the form of a device recovery image, and deletes the cache when a user turns Location Services off.

Two of those issues--the size of the database, and the failure to delete the cache from the device--Apple had called "bugs" when addressing the issue … Read more

Untethered iOS 4.2.1 jailbreak tool released

Although an iOS 4.2.1 jailbreak has been around for a couple months, it came with a catch: if you ever had to reboot your device, you'd have to connect (i.e. tether) it to your computer in order to start using it again.

That's a semi-major inconvenience; if your battery died while you were on the go, you wouldn't be able to use your iPhone, iPod, or iPad again (even if recharged) until you got back to your PC.

Needless to say, people have been itching to get their hands on an "untethered" … Read more

360 Panorama: iPhone 4 surfs the Web with gyroscopic support in Mobile Safari

App maker Occipital has provided a working demo of Apple's newly integrated gyroscope support in Mobile Safari using images created by 360 Panorama, Occipital's great panoramic photography App for iOS 4.2.

The site, when visited by an iOS device with a gyroscope and running iOS 4.2.1, allows you to view photographs taken with the 360 Panorama App by simply moving the device. Based on your iPhone's orientation the photograph will follow. I had to keep my iPhone fairly vertical in order for the gyroscope to read properly, but the experience was pretty fun considering … Read more

Quick Note: HP Updates six printers for use with AirPrint

When Apple released iOS 4.2, among the features it touted were the AirPrint capabilities, which allow for quick printing to a nearby printer over wireless. While this feature was warmly welcomed, its initial implementation was limited, and a number of wireless capable printers that should have worked with AirPrint did not. Today HP released firmware updates to enable AirPrint for six of its printers.

The printer models are the following:

Officejet 6500A e-AiO Officejet 6500A Plus e-AiO Officejet 7500A Wide Format e-AiO Officejet Pro 8500A e-AiO Officejet Pro 8500A Plus e-AiO Officejet Pro 8500A Premium e-AiO

Since its debut, … Read more

Untethered iOS 4.2.1 jailbreaking workaround

Though this isn't the official untethered jailbreaking solution for iOS 4.2.1, the iPhone Dev Team has produced a short demo video showing off a workaround method for getting it done now.

Hack-master comex is still working on the permanent untethered jailbreak, but if you've been following the jailbreaking community and happen to have saved SHSH blobs from your iOS device, your device could be jailbroken today.

A more efficient iOS 4.2.1 jailbreak should be just around the corner, so stay tuned. For more information about jailbreaking your iOS device, follow the iPhone Dev Team Blog. … Read more

Rumor: iOS 4.3 to arrive Thursday, support subscription-based apps

Magazines and newspapers are migrating to iOS devices (most notably the iPad) at a steady clip, but there's one problem: publishers don't have a way to sell subscriptions--not yet, anyway.

That may change with the arrival of iOS 4.3, which is rumored to be arriving (or at least announced) as early as this Thursday, December 9.

As CNET's Joe Aimonetti reported last month, this build was already in the works when Apple rolled out iOS 4.2. And despite the latter's brief delay, it appears iOS 4.3 may still arrive on schedule (at least … Read more

Network congestion issues? Apple has you covered with iOS 4.2.1

Tests conducted by Nokia Siemens Networks confirmed that Apple has included support for the Network Controlled Fast Dormancy technology developed by Nokia to reduce network congestion and improve battery life in iOS 4.2.1.

The NCFD technology works by keeping smartphones in a perpetual "intermediate state" and "makes the network and the handset work together to create the best conditions for smartphones to work quickly, yet have a long battery life and minimize network congestion."

As smartphones continue to add functionality via Apps, the threat of constant signaling on networks from those Apps could cause … Read more

Make AirPrint work with non-AirPrint-compatible printers

Like many users, I was pretty excited about iOS 4.2's AirPrint feature--until I learned that it would work only with AirPrint-compatible printers. Sorry, but I'm not ditching my perfectly good laser and inkjet models just so I can beam the occasional photo or document from my iPhone.

Fortunately, I don't have to. Following some instructions over at news blog Javox, I learned how to make AirPrint work with just about any printer.

Update: I have since found what I consider a much easier and more effective solution: FingerPrint, a Windows/Mac utility that turns any printer into an AirPrint printer. … Read more

iOS 4.2.1 Mobile Safari adds goodies for developers

With the release of Apple's iOS 4.2.1 software update, developers gain access to several new goodies including accelerometer and gyroscope support, WebSockets support through HTML5, printing support, new JavaScript data types, and enhanced SVG and Canvas support.

By supporting the DeviceOrientation API, Web developers can now use the accelerometer (and gyroscope) when developing Web applications and games. This opens the door for a much more robust environment on the Web and lets developers experiment freely (and continually) without the need to wait for Apple's App Store approval process.

Web developer and blogger Maximiliano Firtman has provided … Read more