Hot on the heels of Geohot’s Limera1n tool for jailbreaking some iPhone and iPod touch models running iOS 4.1, the folks at the iPhone Dev Team have launched a new tool based on the same exploit. In a nutshell what that means is you can use the new greenpois0n tool to jailbreak the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad, or 3rd or 4th generation iPod touch as long as those devices are running iOS 4.1.

Greenpois0n was due out this weekend, but Geohot surprised the iPhone hacking community by launching his software first, using a different exploit than the one greenpois0n was originally based on. Rather than alert Apple to two separate security holes in iOS 4.1, the iPhone Dev Team decided to delay their launch in order to retool the software and make use of the same exploit as Limera1n. That means even if Apple released a software update that removes the security hole, the Dev Team can go back to plan A and release a new version of greenpois0n using the other exploit.

For now you can only run greenpois0n from a Windows PC, but a Mac-based tool is coming soon. There will also be a future release that will add support for the 2nd generation iPod touch and the new Apple TV.

Once you jailbreak your device you’ll be able to install applications that aren’t available in the iTunes App Store and access settings that aren’t normally made available.

Update: There are now Windows and Linux utilities for running greenpois0n. An OS X version is still in the works.

The first jailbreak tool for iOS 4.1 has been released, and while it’s a bit rough around the edges, it’s designed to work with the iPhone 4, iPod touch 4th generation iPod touch 3rd generation, iPad, and eventually the iPhone 3GS, although there’s a bug that prevents the iPhone 3GS hack from working right now.

The tool is called Limera1n and it supports iOS 4.1. Interestingly, it comes from hacker Geohot and it was released just a day before the hackers at the iPhone Dev Team had planned to launch their own jailbreak making use of a different exploit in iOS 4.1 Now it looks like the Dev Team will be holding off for a while, rather than bringing two separate exploits to Apple’s attention – making it easier for Apple to patch both exploits at the same time.

While the federal government has ruled that it’s legal to jailbreak, unlock, or generally modify the software on smartphones, Apple isn’t required to make it easy and there’s no rule preventing Apple from patching exploits. In fact, if you’re not a jailbreaker, those patches are probably a good thing since it means that Apple is essentially removing security holes that malicious coders could use to sneak malware onto your phone.

In theory, jailbreaking provides users with deep access to the files and settings that are otherwise unavailable on Apple iOS devices. This lets you install applications that aren’t available in the iTunes App Store, tether your phone to a computer for free, or adjust other settings.

Right now, the Limar1n jailbreak tool only works with a Windows computer, and some users have reported problems — like some apps including the App Store missing after jailbreaking. Proceed with caution.

You should also know that the Limera1n doesn’t support unlocking — and if your phone is currently unlocked, using this tool will relock your device. So if you need your iPhone to work with networks besides AT&T, you’ll want to hold off for now.

Update: Limera1n is now available for both Mac and PC.

via Gizmodo

Apple has launched an updated version of its iMovie app for iOS. The new version requires iOS 4.1 to run and includes a few nifty new features — including support for the new iPod touch with its A4 processor and HD video camera.You can also use the iPhone 4.

Other updates include the ability to loop music and split video clips. You can also now scrub to preview clips in the video browser and there’s an updated photo browser which shows the newest images at the top.

iMovie 1.1 for iOS is availabel from the App Store for $4.99.

via TUAW

iOS 4.1 officially hit recently with claims that it would address the problems that iPhone 3G models had running iOS 4. As an iPhone 3G owner, running 4.0 has been a soul-crushing experience. The once snappy interface of the iPhone was reduced to turtle-like speeds. Apple’s own apps, like the iPod app, became crashy with 4.0. So how is life with 4.1?

Using some informal tests, the 3G is still pretty slow compared to the old days, but seems a little snappier and more stable with 4.1 compared to 4.0. Since upgrading to 4.1, the iPod app hardly crashes, although it does occasionally become unresponsive for short periods.

Read the rest of this entry »

This is just a quick note to let you know that iOS 4.1 for the iPod touch and iPhone is now available. You should go ahead and grab it from iTunes now… especially of you’re using an iPhone 3G or second generation iPod touch. The update should dramatically improve performance on those models.

Apple is also adding support for uploading HD videos over WiFi, taking High Dynamic Range photographs, and the new Game Center for social gaming.

iOS 4.1 is available for the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3, and second and third generation iPod touch models — although not all features are available on all models.

On the other hand, if you have a jaibroken iOS device, upgrading to iOS 4.1 will re-lock your phone or portable media player. So you may have to decide which you want more… new features or freedom.

Apple is set to launch iOS 4.1 for iPhone and iPod touch users this week. But a developer preview has been available for a little while already, and it turns out the latest build installs just fine on pretty much any supported Apple mobile device — even if you haven’t ponied up the $99 for a developer license.

The folks at Uneasy Silence tracked down the files you need to install the update on the iPod touch 2G or 3G or an iPhone 3G, 3GS, or iPhone 4.

Bear in mind, Apple will be pushing out the official update in a few days, so if you want to stay on the up and up you might want to wait just a little longer. On the other hand, if you simply can’t wait another day to find out if iOS 4.1 really will improve performance on your old iPhone 3G, now there’s an option for the impatient.

via MobileCrunch

Apple is officially unveiling iOS 4.1 for the iPhone and iPod touch today. The new version fixes a number of bugs, including a proximity sensor bug and Bluetooth problems. Apple CEO Steve Jobs also says that the new version improves performance on the iPhone 3G (and hopefully the iPod touch as well). The iPhone 3G was notoriously sluggish after upgrading to iOS 4.0, and hopefully the new operating system should improve the performance.

Other changes in iOS 4.1 include support for uploading HD videos over WiFi and support for High Dynamic Range photographs.

Apple is also officially launching GameCenter, which provides video game APIs for developers and social features for users. You can play multi-player games against your friends, or use the auto-matching feature to find people to play against.

Jobs also announced that users will be able to rent TV shows from iTunes for $0.99 each.

Apple says iOS 4.1 will be available for download from iTunes next week.

When Apple launched iOS 4, the company took a sort of tiered approach. If you had an iPhone 4, it shipped with the new operating system and all its new features. If you had an iPhone 3GS or third generation iPod touch, you could install an update to get all the nifty new features. If you had a first generation iPhone or iPod touch, you were out of luck. No update for you.

Then there was the middle ground: iPhone 3G and second generation iPod touch users. We got to install iOS, but we didn’t get all the features. This crippled version doesn’t let you multitask or install custom wallpapers, among other things. Apple officials said that’s because these earlier devices simply don’t have the processor power to handle those features. That seems fair.

What doesn’t seem fair is the fact that these devices also don’t seem to have the processor power to handle other elements of iOS 4. Users have been reporting since day one that installing iOS 4 on an iPhone 3G or second generation iPod touch causes the device to slow down considerably. It takes longer to launch apps, switch between apps, or adjust settings.

Apparently Apple is aware of the issue, and according to an email Apple CEO Steve Jobs sent to a customer, a software update is on the way that could address the problem. Smart money is that he’s referring to iOS 4.1. Unfortunately there’s still no word on when it will be available or how much it will help. Jobs was also specifically referring to performance on the iPhone 3G. He didn’t mention the iPod touch at all, but I’m holding out hope that the update will improve performance on that model as well.

Of course, since iOS 4 doesn’t actually offer a whole lot of new features to iPhone 3 and iPod touch 2g users, you can also simply downgrade from ioS 4 to iPhone OS 3.1.