Hackers expose flaw in Apple iPad, iPhone software (Reuters)

BOSTON (Reuters) – Hackers have disclosed a bug in software from Apple Inc that security experts said could be exploited by criminals looking to gain remote control over iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices.

The security flaw in Apple's iOS operating system came to light on Wednesday as the website www.jailbreakme.com released code that Apple customers can use to modify the iOS operating system through a process known as "jail breaking."

Some Apple customers choose to jail break their devices so they can download and run applications that are not approved by Apple or use iPhone phones on networks of carriers that are not approved by Apple.

Security experts warned that criminal hackers could download that code, reverse engineer it to identify a hole in iOS security and build a piece of malicious software within a few days.

"If you are a malicious attacker, it is fairly doable," said Patrik Runald, a senior researcher with the Internet security firm Websense.

Apple has yet to release an update to iOS that protects customers against malicious software that exploits the flaw.

Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller said the company was aware of the problem.

"We are developing a fix that will be available to customers in an upcoming software update," Muller said.

Apple has long been vocal against jail breaking, which if done voids the warranty on its devices.

Any security flaw in iOS software -- which runs Apple's iPhone, iPad tablet and iPod Touch -- has the potential to affect millions of devices that are at the core of Apple's business.

Apple has sold 25 million iPads since it launched last year. The company sold over 18 million of its popular iPhones in just the first three months of the year.

Hackers can exploit the iOS vulnerability by creating a malicious PDF document file. It would infect Apple devices when users attempt to open that document, according to Runald.

Once the device is infected, hackers could "do anything they want," Runald said. That includes stealing passwords, documents and emails.

Comex, a 19-year-old hacker from New York State who developed the jail-breaking tool, said that Apple might be able to patch the software before criminal hackers develop software that exploits the bug.

Last time he put out a version of his jailbreaking software, Apple was able to issue a patch before anybody exploited the bug for malicious purposes.

He said that Apple might not be able to move quickly enough this time.

"It's not that hard to reverse engineer," he said via telephone.

(Reporting by Jim Finkle, additional reporting by Poornima Gupta; Editing by Bernard Orr)

Even more iPhone rumors: Apple to introduce new charging tech in iPhone 6 (Appolicious)

There seems to be no end to fresh rumors about future iPhones flying across the Internet in the last few days. Only yesterday we told you about a Wall Street Journal report that claimed the iPhone 5 would be a thinner and lighter revamp of the device, and now it seems the WSJ has even more new information to report.

Today’s earlier rumors concerned the iPhone 5, but in a report issued later in the day on July 6, the newspaper claims to have found some dirt on the next next version of the iPhone, which we’ll refer to as the iPhone 6. This is the device we’re all presuming from past history that Apple will release in 2012.

Try to bear with this, as the somewhat random and barely-sourced information can get confusing: when it comes to the iPhone 5, the WSJ reports that “sources familiar with Apple’s plans” told it that the company is putting together a thinner and lighter iPhone, but with the fundamental design remaining similar to the iPhone 4, which falls in line with most of the rumors circulating at this point. Apple didn’t announce the phone in June during its Worldwide Developers Conference because the phone isn’t (or wasn’t) finished yet, but it expects it to launch it in September. It appears the iPhone 5 will be a fair step up from the iPhone 4, with the A5 dual-core processor Apple put in the iPad 2 and an 8-megapixel camera among other changes, but while the improvements will be noticeable, they may not yet be game-changing.

Enter the iPhone 6, which the WSJ reports its sources have said may include “a new way of charging the phone.” It’s one of the features Apple is reportedly experimenting with, which suggests that while the iPhone 5 may be less of a drastic revamp, the iPhone 6 will be the kind of device that CEO Steve Jobs will have fun showing off at the inevitable keynote.

The iPhone 5 may still be an incremental update, it appears, even though Apple expects it to sell exceedingly well. Reportedly, the company is expecting 25 million units to be sold in the last three months of 2011 when it’s released. That suggests Apple expects the market to accept the phone more than Wall Street reportedly is, which the WSJ says is keeping cool on the phone, at least for now, because it’s banking on users opting not to upgrade until a better model comes along. So maybe Apple is trying to push in more definable improvements to drive sales, and maybe not.

The WSJ also came close to confirming another somewhat-weird rumor that Apple is working on a second, less-expensive iPhone. We heard this from an analyst last week without any facts to back it up. The WSJ reports that the person who let slip about the charging upgrade also said Apple was working on the cheaper phone that could also include an edge-to-edge screen.

I know, I know – it’s getting ridiculous with all these rumors. Still, at least some are starting to corroborate one another, but it’s getting hard to know what to believe or even to draw some decent conclusions about it all. The real bummer of all this speculation and secret, unsourced information is that while some of it will inevitably end up being true, Apple always finds a way to surprise us just when we think we know what’s going to happen.

Check back here for the next time someone decides to leak some iPhone information; I give it about 20 minutes.

Apple may have caused BlackBerry PlayBook delay

The release of Research In Motion's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet may have been pushed back one month due to the lack of touch screens brought on by an Apple's hunger for iPad 2 components.

Anyone thinking about taking on Apple in the tablet wars, take heed: The release of Research in Motion’s BlackBerry PlayBook tablet was delayed for one month, likely because of high demand for the iPad 2.

According to DigiTimes, “PlayBook shipments were postponed for about a month from the original schedule due to a delay in software testing as well as shortage of touch panels because Apple already booked up most of the available capacity.”

With its massive $50 billion cash reserves, Apple is able to pre-order the components it needs for its popular devices, like the iPad and iPhone lines. Apple is said to have put down $3.9 billion to reserve a significant portion of the world’s touch screens in preparation for production of the new iPad.

This is only the latest round of bad news for companies hoping to compete with Apple’s iPad and iPad 2. Wednesday, news surfaced that Motorola sold a lower-than-expected 100,000 units of its new Xoom tablet, which is said to currently be the toughest competitor for the iPad 2. Apple, on the other hand, sold about 300,000 iPad 2 units in the first weekend alone, and is said to have sold roughly 2.6 million iPad 2 units in March.

Despite the hang-ups and the daunting task of taking on Apple, RIM will release the BlackBerry PlayBook on April 19 for $499 for the 16GB entry-level model. (The 32GB version costs $599; the 64GB model is priced at $699.) This is roughly equal to the cost of a comparable iPad 2.

With a 7-inch 1024×600 display, the PlayBook measures quite a bit smaller than the 9.7-inch iPad 2. The device comes loaded with a dual-core 1GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 processor and 1GB of RAM.

It has a 3MP forward-facing camera for video chat, as well as a 5MP rear-facing camera. The PlayBook can shoot 1080p high-definition video, and includes HDMI video output, and Micro USB and Micro HDMI ports. Unlike the iPad 2, the PlayBook supports Adobe Flash.

The three models available on April 19 are all Wi-Fi only. The company has far more up its sleeve, however, with higher-end models that will support 4G connectivity in all the different flavors the various wireless carriers currently offer. The iPad 2 only supports 3G connectivity.

Apple patent suggests revolutionized bezels for iOS devices

The new technology would include new virtual buttons and indicators on the bezel that would extend capabilities beyond the normal display.

Just to add to the slew of confusing, contradictory Apple rumors constantly floating around, here’s a new one: Despite indicators that iOS devices were looking to eliminate buttons, a report from Apple Insider is suggesting it may go the opposite route – except they’ll be virtual and housed within the bezel.

A new patent application titled “Electronic Devices with a Primary Display and a Selectively Illuminated Secondary Display” was filed in 2009 but curiously made public this week by the USPTO. It shows new technology that would utilize “buttons and indicators on the bezel” that would work as a “secondary display” for the iPad or iPhone. Apparently the purpose of these extra bells and whistles would be for assisting users learning their way around an iOS device and extending user interactivity without taking up more display space.

Apple seems concerned with the fact that electronic buttons located directly on many devices touchscreens are taking up too much real estate – especially on smartphones. The answer? Adding more display room around the bezel which would be used for more utilitarian purposes, like help guides or even offer interactive solutions. For instance, when users are playing a game, the main display could house all of the graphics and the secondary display would turn into a region for controlling and playing the game, keeping the view all clear of fingers and hands. The patent indicates that the bezel would include icons that would light for various app functionalities.

While our first instinct is to call this out – everyone knows how Apple feels about buttons, regardless of location – a patent application that has come from inside the company definitely rings truer than the blurry, nearly unidentifiable photos of the supposed iPod touch featuring a capacitive home button. But the button cutback rumor has been circulating for awhile now, and makes us wonder if perhaps this secondary display idea would be for a device specifically targeting gamers or other heavy interactive media users. There was another patent that surfaced recently suggesting Apple might be investing in upgrading its bezel technology, something there’s been little talk of but we see huge potential for.

Apple iPhone 4 awarded ‘Best Mobile Device’ of 2011 at Mobile World Congress

Apple may have skipped Mobile World Congress 2011, but its iPhone 4 still reigns supreme after winning this year's "Best Mobile Device" award.

Apple didn’t even show up at Mobile World Congress 2011, which took place in Barcelona, Spain, this week. But that didn’t stop the company’s iPhone 4 from taking home the show’s top prize for a mobile device.

Amidst an onslaught of newly unveiled smartphones — many of which run Google’s Android operating system — GSMA Global Mobile Awards judges have named the iPhone 4 the “Best Mobile Device” of 2011 for its “great screen, sharp design, fantastic materials, and phenomenal ecosystem for app developers.” This, despite the device’s widely-reported reception problems. (Antennagate, anyone?)

Apple has long avoided the technology industry’s premier events, such as Mobile World Congress (MWC) the annual Consumer Electronics Show, instead opting to hold its own highly-publicized press events. Not only that, but the Cupertino, CA-based company seems to leak news of upcoming products during these events, presumably to steal some of the thunder of its competitors who often use the shows as an opportunity to launch new products. During this year’s MWC, for instance, multiple reports have surfaced about a line of three new iPhones, which unnamed sources say could be announced this year. Big news, indeed.

Notable releases at MWC 2011 include the LG Optimus 3D, the first-ever smartphone to allow users to watch and record 3D video; the 4.8-inch Acer Iconia Smart; and the Samsung Galaxy S II, as well as a slew of new tablet PCs that will compete with the Apple iPad.

Apple aside, judges at MWC awarded HTC the honor of “Device Manufacturer of the Year” for its line of Android-based smartphones.

“This company has built its market presence from nowhere, with fresh branding and marketing and a strong portfolio of devices across many platforms,” the judges said in their official comment. “In particular, it has proven an exceptionally popular and enduring phone manufacturer. With great communication and good customer service, this is a well-deserved award.”

The judges also “highly commended” HTC for the HTC Desire, which “set the bar for Android phones across much of the world in 2010.”

To view the full list of 2011 GSMA awards and winner, click here.

News Corp, Apple to finally unveil The Daily February 2

After numerous delays, The Daily will premiere on the iPad February 2.

At the DLD Conference in Munich two days ago, News Corp. exec James Murdoch announced he hoped The Daily’s release would fall “in the next few weeks.” Turns out that was a conservative estimate, and the long-awaited exclusive iPad publication will launch February 2.

An invite from News Corp from chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch was sent to members of the press today revealing the date. It also looks like Apple’s VP of Internet services, Eddy Cue, will be there to represent his company, and will most likely introduce Apple’s subscription service.

Originally, it was widely reported that The Daily would be unveiled on January 19. The date (and at that point, the publication) was never confirmed by News Corp. or Apple, and it quickly came and went. There was speculation Steve Jobs’ leave of absence caused the continuously pushed back date, and the AP reported Apple’s CEO was originally slated to present on February 2, but for medical reasons will not attend.

We’re uncertain how successful The Daily will be with iPad users. News Corp. has poured a considerable amount of money, time, and personnel into the project, but to us it seems like Apple debuting a subscription service for other publications is what’s most significant about February 2.

Apple reports record $6 billion profit

Apple earned $6 billion on revenues of $26.74 billion during its first quarter of 2011...and the iPhone isn't even on sale from Verizon yet.

Apple has posted its financial results for its first fiscal quarter of 2011, which includes the end-of-year 2010 holiday season, and the figures are stunning: the company had record revenue of $26.74 billion for the quarter and earned a record $6 billion for the quarter. Year-on-year, the figures represent a 71 percent growth in revenue and a 78 percent growth in earnings, and sales of almost everything—from iPhones to iPads to the venerable Macintosh—were up. The sole unsurprising exception: iPods, which saw their sales down 7 percent compared to a year ago.

“We had a phenomenal holiday quarter with record Mac, iPhone and iPad sales,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs, in a statement. “We are firing on all cylinders and we’ve got some exciting things in the pipeline for this year including iPhone 4 on Verizon which customers can’t wait to get their hands on.”

For the quarter—and just the quarter—Apple says it sold some 16.24 million iPhones, which represents an 86 percent increase in unit sales compared to the previous year. Apple also sold 7.33 million iPads, and iPad sales strongly eclipsed the sales of Macintosh computers, although Apple did see Mac sales increase 23 percent compared to last year, up to 4.13 million units. The Mac numbers mask a drop in sales of desktop systems: overall, sales of desktop Macs (iMacs, Mac minis, and Mac Pros) were down 1 percent year-over-year (although overall Apple made 2 percent more revenue on them), while sales of portable systems were up 37 percent. For the quarter, over 70 percent of Apple’s computer sales were notebooks.

Apple did see a bit of a dip in gross margins: a year ago, the company was operating with a 40.9 percent margin, and that declined to 38.5 percent in the most recent quarter. Some 62 percent of Apple’s revenue comes from markets outside the United States.

Apple’s record financial numbers do serve as some compensation over CEO Steve Jobs’ announcement earlier this week that he would once again be taking medical leave from the company. Apple COO TIm Cook will once again take over day-to-day management of the company while Jobs is on leave, although Jobs will retain the CEO title and continue to be involved in Apple’s strategic decisions. And Apple is continuing to sock away cash for a rainy day: the company currently has more than $60 billion in cash and short-term investments, including $9.8 billion added in this quarter alone.