Mastery of the iPod Starts Here
Archive for July, 2009
3.0.1 Firmware Does Not Update Baseband Security
Jul 31st
After the tests undertaken by Andrew, we have just received confirmation via the IRC channel of Saurik that the new Firmware 3.0.1 does not update the Baseband for which Apple did not implement any new method of defense against the Jailbreak and dell’unlock . It follows that RedSn0w that PurpleRa1n should be able to unlock the new version of the operating system.
However we recommend not to do so, and wait for an update by the DevTeam and GeoHot that they need to add new tools to their Bundles. It holds your security and there is no particular reason to hurry because the changes in the new Firmware is practically zero.
Apple releases Firmware 3.0.1 for all iPhones to solve security bug on SMS
Jul 31st
REMEMBER DO NOT UPDATE IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR JAILBREAK AND UNLOCK!
Update 1: We have confirmed that 3.0.1 breaks the current jailbreaks . . . well at least the 3GS.
Update 2: Looks like using a 3.0 firmware .ipsw with redsn0w to jailbreak 3.0.1 works. Purplera1n failed. This might be unlockable with ultrasn0w as well (we don’t know if the baseband has been updated yet, all testing has been done on 2xiPhone 3GS with the 3.1 baseband).
Update 3: As far as we can tell all the jailbreak stuff is working fine (including winterboard) still don’t know if the baseband was updated or not though 
thx jomasta
Update 5: To clear up any confusion. iPhone 2G users should* be safe to upgrade and then jailbreak/unlock via redsn0w vusing a 3.0 frimware file. We just haven’t confirmed unlocking for the iPhone 3G and 3GS yet.
Download links:
iPhone 3GS
iPhone 3G
iPhone 2G
All that this update appears to do is fix the SMS vulnerability that we reported on a couple of days ago. The release notes are very very vague so we can’t really provide more information until we install it ourselves and poke around, which we will do asap and either update this post or make a new one 
edit: updates above
Upcoming ‘Wizard Warfare’ Video Explained
Jul 31st
Some videos have been circulating around the Internet and our forums of Sugar Devil Studios’ upcoming game, Wizard Warfare. Aside from some great concept art, some cool looking screenshots, and a few mysterious movies, their web site doesn’t have much information on it either regarding the actual gameplay.
We got in touch with Niamh Kenny, one of the Wizard Warfare team members and got him to explain the game. Wizard Warfare is a turn-based artillery-style game similar to Worms [App Store] or Star Hogs [App Store] set in a fantasy environment with magic spells like “Flame of Desolation” and “Wanton Cruelty” instead of bazookas and missiles. Players will be able to play as one of six wizards and battle across five full 3D arenas using 33 different spells. Also included is a two player mode.
Kenny sent us this video of a single turn in Wizard Warfare:
Apple News Apple to Release Fix for SMS Flaw on Saturday?
Jul 31st
An O2 spokesperson has told BBC that Apple will release a fix on Saturday for a major security flaw with iPhone SMS.
Security experts Collin Mulliner and Charlie Miller have discovered a bug which will allow hackers to completely take over your iPhone with a single character SMS.
They presented the exploit at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas, explaining that it works by slightly modifying the data sent by the network which is not seen by the user.
Apple had been informed of the exploit over a month ago; however, they have not as of yet taken steps to prevent it.
According to O2 a fix should be available through iTunes on Saturday.
“We will be communicating to customers both through the website and proactively,”
“We always recommend our customers update their iPhone with the latest software and this is no different.”
Apple Posts Anti-Jailbreak Support Document
Jul 31st
Apple has posted a support document warning users not to jailbreak due to adverse issues experienced by customers.
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This article is about adverse issues experienced by customers who have made unauthorized modifications to the iPhone OS (this hacking process is often called “jailbreaking”). Issues that have been encountered include instability, disruption of services, and compromised security.
Products Affected
iPhone, iPod touch, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch (2nd generation)
As designed by Apple, the iPhone OS ensures that the iPhone and iPod touch operate reliably. Some customers have not understood the risks of installing software that makes unauthorized modifications to the iPhone OS (“jailbreaking”) on their iPhone or iPod touch. Customers who have installed software that makes these modifications have encountered numerous problems in the operation of their hacked iPhone or iPod touch. Examples of issues caused by these unauthorized modifications to the iPhone OS have included the following:
Device and application instability: Frequent and unexpected crashes of the device, crashes and freezes of built-in apps and third-party apps, and loss of data.
Unreliable voice and data: Dropped calls, slow or unreliable data connections, and delayed or inaccurate location data.
Disruption of services: Services such as Visual Voicemail, YouTube, Weather, and Stocks have been disrupted or no longer work on the device. Additionally, third-party apps that use the Apple Push Notification Service have had difficulty receiving notifications or received notifications that were intended for a different hacked device. Other push-based services such as MobileMe and Exchange have experienced problems synchronizing data with their respective servers.
Compromised security: Security compromises have been introduced by these modifications that could allow hackers to steal personal information, damage the device, attack the wireless network, or introduce malware or viruses.
Shortened battery life: The hacked software has caused an accelerated battery drain that shortens the operation of an iPhone or iPod touch on a single battery charge.
Inability to apply future software updates: Some unauthorized modifications have caused damage to the iPhone OS that is not repairable. This can result in the hacked iPhone or iPod touch becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone OS update is installed.
Apple strongly cautions against installing any software that hacks the iPhone OS. It is also important to note that unauthorized modification of the iPhone OS is a violation of the iPhone end-user license agreement and because of this, Apple may deny service for an iPhone or iPod touch that has installed any unauthorized software.
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Exclusive Sneak Peek: ‘Parachute Panic’ 1.2 with Online Leaderboards
Jul 30th
FDG’s Parachute Panic [App Store] is a game with great hand drawn graphics, fun music, and very simple gameplay which seems to have the same charm as simple games like Doodle Jump [App Store].
The goal of the game is very basic, land little stick men jumping from planes on to the ships below. First impressions on this game can be deceptive as the simple gameplay quickly turns in to a hectic battle against helicopters, storm clouds, UFO’s and moving boats.
Parachute Panic 1.2 is in the works which will spice things up a bit and breathe some new life in to this game. The first addition is a stork which flies by to award players an extra life, as well as new bonus objects to collect that will increase your score. Also included is a new online leaderboard and friends list system, a feature that is close to becoming standard for most iPhone games.
Parachute Panic has lived a long life on my iPhone, in our original review of the game we questioned the lasting appeal, but I still find myself going back to try to save some skydivers from helicopters every now and again
Hackers Can Take Over All iPhones With a One Character SMS
Jul 30th
Security experts say every iPhone in the world can be hacked with a single character SMS.
Speaking at the Black Hat cybersecurity tomorrow, Collin Mulliner and Charlie Miller plan to publicize a bug which will allow hackers to completely take over your iPhone.
According to a Forbes report, the flaw is found in the iPhone’s handling of SMS messages. Using a series of mostly invisible SMS bursts, hackers can control all of your phone’s functions. This includes dialing, web surfing, enabling the camera and microphone, as well as using the device to attack other phones.
“This is serious. The only thing you can do to prevent it is turn off your phone,” Miller told Forbes. “Someone could pretty quickly take over every iPhone in the world with this.”
Miller and Mulliner notified Apple about the vulnerability more than a month ago; however, the company hasn’t released a patch.
EA Announces Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer for iPhone
Jul 29th
EA Mobile has announced that Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, and many more titles are headed to the iPhone and iPod touch.
MacWorld is reporting that the following titles were announced at the Game Developers Conference.
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour (Spring 2010)
- Wolfenstein RPG
- FIFA Soccer
- Madden NFL
- NBA Live
- Spore Creatures
- Mystery Mania
- American Idol
- Command & Conquer
- SSX (a snowboarding game)
- Need for Speed
- The Sims 3.
EA Mobile will also release the following board games for the iPhone:
- Connect 4
- Battleship
- Risk
- Monopoly “classic”
- Trivial Pursuit (April 2010)
- Clue.
No word on any dates other then those marked.
Apple Says Jailbreaking Aids Drug Dealers, Catastrophic CyberAttacks
Jul 29th
Apple is making preposterous claims in its effort to prevent jailbreaking from becoming a legally acceptable practice.
Security researcher Christopher Soghoian reports that in a recent filing with the copyright office, “Apple has argued that consumers who wish to jailbreak their mobile phones and change the device’s unique serial number must be drug dealers or other criminals.”
[E]ach iPhone contains a unique Exclusive Chip Identification (ECID) number that identifies the phone to the cell tower. With access to the BBP via jailbreaking, hackers may be able to change the ECID, which in turn can enable phone calls to be made anonymously (this would be desirable to drug dealers, for example) or charges for the calls to be avoided.
Wired.com has also found some more ridiculous accusations in which Apple suggests jailbroken iPhones would be used to cause catastrophic damage to cellular networks.
“a local or international hacker could potentially initiate commands (such as a denial of service attack) that could crash the tower software, rendering the tower entirely inoperable to process calls or transmit data,”
“Taking control of the BBP software would be much the equivalent of getting inside the firewall of a corporate computer — to potentially catastrophic result.”
“The technological protection measures were designed into the iPhone precisely to prevent these kinds of pernicious activities, and if granted, the jailbreaking exemption would open the door to them.”
Fred von Lohmann, is an attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a group founded to protect the rights of individuals. He notes that there are over a million jailbroken iPhones and this has never happened.
Apple’s argument would make open source platforms such as Android a menace to society as well. Saying that a jailbroken iPhone should be illegal because its possible to do something illegal with it sounds like a very weak defense.
You can read more about the EFF’s case against Apple here
Hey Sega! Bring This Unofficial ‘Sonic CD’ Port to the iPhone
Jul 28th
A while ago we were let in on a secret project in the works by iPhone developer Christian Whitehead. He is responsible for the iPhone Retro Engine and Retro Engine Development Kit or RDSK. Using the RDSK, Whitehead is able to develop classic 2D games in a fraction of the time it would take to build them from scratch with performance levels that literally blow the games Sega has released so far out of the water.
He built this Sonic CD proof of concept, without the use of the original game’s source code or a disassembly. The video is really impressive and shows Sonic CD running at 60 frames per second on an iPod Touch.
Whitehead has actually been in contact with Sega regarding doing an enhanced port of Sonic CD for the iPhone, but Sega’s challenge to their fans to come up with what they want to see them produce next has pushed the developer into making this project public.
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