Two security researchers, Charlie Miller and Collin Mulliner, have discovered a serious security vulnerability on the iPhone and will present their findings later today at the Black Hat convention in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, they have already demonstrated this flaw in action to CNET‘s Elinor Mills before the conference.
Here’s what happened: While I was talking on the phone to Charlie Miller, his partner, Collin Mulliner, sent me a text message from his phone. One minute I’m talking to Miller and the next minute my phone is dead, and this time it’s not AT&T’s fault. After a few seconds it came back to life, but I was not able to make or receive calls until I rebooted.
The attack is enabled by a serious memory corruption bug in the way the iPhone handles SMS messages, said Miller, a senior security researcher at Independent Security Evaluators. There is no patch, despite the fact that Apple was notified of the problem about six weeks ago, he said.
[via CNET]
One of the games that I never really found interesting was marbles. I know some people like the game; it just doesn’t make sense to me. If you are a marble aficionado, a new game app for the iPhone is now available for you.
The app is called Play Marbles and you can even put your face or other images onto the marble. The developer promises that the game is simply to learn and play. While the game is simple, it promises to be challenging as well.
Regular updates to the game will be made available and new play modes and custom features will keep the game fresh. The marble design phase is intended to be robust and the developer is running a contest for the most interesting marbles to be included in the game. The app is available now for $1.99 on the App Store.
[via PlayMarbles]
The iPhone is an undisputed hit all around the world with users in just about every country. Italian users who want to keep both hands on the wheel of that Ferrari can now get an Italian version of the Promptu ShoutOUT app customized for Telecom Italia Mobile.
The app lets users speak what they want to send in a text and the spoken words are turned into a text message and sent to another user. The app is integrated with TM’s billing system allowing the provider to charge for texts sent.
The company behind the app says that it is looking forward to rolling the app out here in America as well. The firm says that U.S. mobile subscribers send and receive more texts than they make calls.
[via Promptu]
Looks like Apple is working on a nano-phone concept, according to MacNN, referring to a belated US Patent revealed this month. Not sure whether it is the one rumored as an iPhone nano or not.
The design involves a very sophisticated yet complicated dual-surface user interface. The full face-side of this device will be nothing more than a display, much like the iPhone is today, while the back-side will be primarily dominated by a force-sensitive touch based surface.
Check-out full article on phone-nano concept here
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – July 29, 2009 – Joby, the world renowned designer of the Gorillapod line of innovative camera tripods, is pleased to announce the Gorillamobile. Representing the first product in a new product line, the Gorillamobile promises unparalleled tripod compatibility for almost all mobile devices. Featuring the critically acclaimed ball-and-socket tripod legs that affix to and balance on any surface, the Gorillamobile provides consumers with a universal system for mounting any portable device. Photo-taking, video-recording, talking and movie-watching have never been easier!
The Gorillamobile is ideal for mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players, portable gaming devices, GPS units, mini video cameras, pocket projectors and almost any other mobile device a consumer might want to utilize in a hands-free manner. The Gorillamobile pack includes a custom-engineered suction cup mounting system, two removable high-bond adhesive clips and the traditional universal camera adapter to ensure maximum compatibility. Whether the user needs a temporary hold or prefers something more permanent, the adapters provide the solution.
“The Gorillamobile will satisfy the overwhelming demand we’ve had to develop a portable and delightful product for the person seeking a tripod and flexible mounting system for all his mobile devices,” said Joby COO Forrest Baringer-Jones. “The Gorillamobile truly creates endless possibilities and is sure to become a ‘can’t leave home without it’ product.”
The Gorillamobile weighs under 2 ounces, is just under 6-inches tall and has a MSRP of $34.95. The product will ship in late summer and will be available globally.
Features include:
- four interchangeable quick?release adapters
- flexible leg joints with rubberized grips
- secure locking mechanism and travel friendly design
When I was a kid I always wanted to set my own world record for something sweet like the longest time spent playing Pac-Man or the longest jump ever landed on a Huffy bike with a banana seat. Alas, I never won my world record glory; banana seats are hard on landings.
It looks like the folks at Guinness world Records are set to give me another shot at world record fame with a new app for the iPhone. The game allows players to compete to set a virtual world record in events like cockroach eating, melon crush, and largest bubblegum balloon.
If your need to set a world record goes beyond the virtual world, Guinness is also running a contest to set a world record in the real world by getting the highest score on the iPhone game. The highest score submitted by August 12 will get the winner listed in the 2010 Gamer’s Edition of the world record book. The game is available now for $4.99.
[via Warner Bros]
The need for secrecy on new products for many companies is high on the list of priorities. However, some of the companies like Apple try and keep a tighter lid on security than others. Some sources say that a leak of a new Apple product could cost the company their lucrative Apple contract.
This month reports started coming in that a worker at Foxconn, the company who builds the iPhone, had killed himself after losing a 4G prototype of the Apple smartphone. The reports claim that the man was illegally detailed, abused and his apartment was searched by Foxconn and Hon Hai security workers.
SlashGear reports that Foxconn has offered the family of the deceased man about $52,600 in a lump sum payment and a yearly stipend of a meager $3,385 per year until they die. I have a feeling Foxconn has yet to see how far the ramifications of this event will lead.
[via SlashGear]
Until I started using an iPhone, I was never a fan of mobile gaming. The graphics were bad and there were no games that really grabbed my interest. Since the iPhone launched I spend a good bit of time playing games on the device.
Handmark has announced a new game for the iPhone called Astraware Casino that is actually more like 11 games in one. The app has 11 of the most popular casino games around in one place for a limited time price of 99 cents.
The app also allows the player to choose tracks from their own playlist to use as background music. Among the games offered in the app are Texas Hold ‘Em No Limit and Limit Poker, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Slots, Baccarat, 3 Card Poker, Video Derby, and Keno. Players start the game with $1,000 virtual dollars and must win to keep playing.
[via Astraware]
