Apple has released a software update for the Apple iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad with a few major changes to the way location services track and store your data. The move comes in response to a rather public outcry about the way Apple not only knew where your phone was when location data was turned on — but also stored a record of where your phone had been.
The latest update for the Verizon iPhone is iOS 4.2.8. All other models get iOS 4.3.3.
Specifically, the update:
- Reduces the size of location cache
- No longer backs up that cache to iTunes
- Deletes the whole cache when you turn off location services.
The update is available for 3rd and 4th generation iPod touch models, the iPad and iPad 2, and the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4.
If you’re concerned about privacy you might want to apply the update right away. But if you have a jailbroken device you might want to hold off until it’s clear whether existing jailbreak methods will work with iOS 4.3.3 and iOS 4.2.8. Using iTunes to update your operating system will almost certainly remove your jailbreak.
Update: It turns out you can use the latest version of redsn0w to jailbreak devices running iOS 4.3.3 — but you’ll end up with a tethered jailbreak, meaning you have to connect your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to a computer every time you reboot.
via TUAW
