The iPod Nation

After the 2.02.2 update was released it’s been revealed that your private information on your iPhone may be at great risk. Supposedly anyone can break into your phone and steal info such as contacts, mail and SMS content even if they’re password protected. The following info is that the problem looks like and tells you how to avoid it. Hopefully Apple fixes this soon!

First, password protect your phone and lock it. Then slide to unlock and do this: 1. Tap emergency call. 2. Double tap the home button. Done. You are now in your favorites. This seems like a feature, because you may want to have emergency number in your favorites for quick dial. The security problem here is double. The first: anyone picking up your phone can make a call to anyone in your favorites. On top of that, this also opens access to your full Address Book, the dial keypad, and your voice mail. If that wasn’t bad enough, the second one is even worse: if you tap on the blue arrows next to the names, it will give you full access to the private information in a favorite entry. And it goes downhill from there: • If you click in a mail address, it will give you full access to the Mail application. All your mail will be exposed. • If there’s a URL in your contact (or in a mail message) you can click on it and have full access to Safari. • If you click on send text message in a contact, it will give you full access to all your SMS. Hopefully, this major security break that fully exposes your most private information will be solved as soon as possible. Until then, you can avoid any potential breach doing the following: 1. In the iPhone home, go to Settings. 2. Click on General. 3. Click on Home Button. 4. Click on either “Home” or “iPod”. This way, the double-click on the home button will take the user back to the unlock screen (if you use “Home”) or the iPod screen. I recommend using Home. You will lose the ability to quickly access your favorites for a quick call—which is one of my favorite features—but that’s better than having all your private mails, contacts, and SMS database compromised.

-Ray [Source: topiphonenews]

Batman iPhone

Sure in The Dark Knight, our masked hero never whipped out a classy 3g iPhone and used the multitude of helpful apps in tracking his enemies. But if he did, I think I would see him using this iPhone 3G case as a perfect match to his look. Read the rest of this entry »

iLounge recently reported that they received news from some sources that the next generation of the iPod Nano may have some design changes that give is a Zune-esque feel. This new design will apparently have a larger vertically oriented screen which could be used to watch videos with greater ease. The sources also state that this new Nano will not like have a touch screen like rumored. Rather, it will retain the tradition circular controls. You can read more details here.

-Jameson

This article was originally posted on the Sansa Nation blog

I found this article on the Shop Sansa blog. It is a pretty good guide if you want know the downsides of downloading music illegally.  Personally I hate the RIAA, but here you go.

There are a lot of MP3 download sites from which to choose and more are starting up every day. Each of the best offers specific features and benefits. It is important to make sure what you are downloading has been legally purchased from a site approved by the music industry.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members’ creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conducts consumer, industry and technical research; and monitors and reviews state and federal laws, regulations and policies.

RIAA approved download sites for your Sansa MP3 player

It’s easy to find legal sites to download great music for your Sansa MP3 player. For a full list of legal music sites approved by the music industry go to http://www.riaa.com/toolsforparents.php?content_selector=legal_music_sites. Here you can find all the latest and greatest songs, music videos, classic oldies, a wide variety of jazz and classical standards plus broadband radio and TV shows.

For example – audiocandy.com offers over 2 million MP3 downloads from most labels. It also lets you connect to TV episodes and feature films for free. Puretracks.com offers everything from pop and country to jazz rifts and indie music. Other RIAA recommended sites include AOL Music, Best Buy, Lifeway, SamGoody and more.

If you want to pay per month, rather than by the track, take a look at http://www.rhapsody.com

Rhapsody lets you listen to everything they have in their massive catalog for one low monthly price. This monthly subscription service includes a full spectrum from new to old, mainstream to indie, hip-hop to classical and more. You can search by artist, browse genres, tune into Rhapsody Channels and get personalized recommendations. It’s easy to create your own playlist and then share it with friends.

For free and legal access to independent music, try http://iodapromonet.com

Promonet is a unique promotional music distribution network that provides its users with a new way to legally download, publish, and share music. Promonet is run by IODA — http://www.iodalliance.com — the leading digital distributor of independent digital music. More than 3000 of the best and most influential independent record labels distribute their music through IODA, and they have given IODA permission to make thousands of their tracks available to Promonet users.

Tips to follow to avoid illegal music

The RIAA offers the following tips to help consumers avoid illegal music: Remember the Adage “You Get What You Pay For”: Even if you are hoping to get your favorite albums at a discount, new or used, extremely low prices might indicate pirated product. Watch for Compilations that are “Too Good to Be True”: Many pirates make illegal “dream compilation” CDs, comprised of songs by numerous artists on different record labels. Read the Label: If the true name and address of the manufacturer are not shown, it is most likely not legitimate product. These products often do not contain a bar code. Furthermore, if the record label listed is a company you’ve never heard of, that should be another warning sign.

-Jameson

[Source: Shop Sansa Blog]

In addition to bringing you the latest news on Apple’s iPhone, iPhone Spies will now be bringing you free wallpapers that you can download and use to customize your iPhone. We have started a page on the blog that will hold the wallpapers. You may have noticed on the bar at the top of the page. You can get to the wallpapers here: iPhone Wallpapers

Our first batch of wallpapers comes from the “Artistic” realm of wallpapers. We will be adding new fresh wallpapers as we get them. We have plans to add Wallpapers from many other categories, so be sure to check back for the latest stuff. I hope you enjoy!

-Jameson

According to reports, Spain is soon to enact a new anti-piracy tax on all electronic devices capable of recording, copying, or storing sound and images. This tax will be implemented on July 1st and will be directed towards the manufacturers of these devices. A tax of €3.15 (around $4.90) will be levied on all devices with the aforementioned qualities, and a tax of €1.10 (around $1.70) will be placed on all cell phones with Mp3 capabilities.

I personally see this as an attack on a businesses right to produce media devices. The Spanish government is operating under the assumption that all people who buy Mp3 players pirate their music. While it is no doubt evident that there is a large amount of music piracy going on, it is not right to declare someone guilty before hand.

This decision is unfortunate, because it will require businesses to pass on the cost to consumers to make up for every device which they produce.

-Jameson

[Source: iLounge]

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google’s Android mobile platform is being delayed again. This comes after difficulty coordinating the next generation mobile software with wireless providers. It was originally slated for release in the second quarter of 2008, but now it looks more like 2009.

Read the rest of this entry »

Stocks of some iPod touch models are starting to run low and may be connected to recent promotional announcements, according to one Wall Street analyst, who also notes that the advent of the $199 iPhone 3G will put pressure on Apple to alter its pricing on the high-end media players in the next few months.

In a report to clients Tuesday, Lehman Brothers analyst Ben Reitzes observes that the 8GB iPod touch is now showing a small but significant delay of 1-2 business days for orders made from Apple’s online store, while chain retailer Best Buy has seen reduced supplies of 16GB models at its own locations.

Slight shortages of the 8GB device are likely due to the recent launch of Apple’s back-to-school promo, the analyst suggests. The sudden spike in orders for the device, which is given away for free to students when bought with a new Mac, may be surging ahead of demand.

[Source: Apple Insider]

In expectation of increased revenue due to the imminent iPhone 3G, investment banking firm Morgan Stanley has increased it’s price target projections of Apple’s stock from $185 to $200 per share. Their increase comes out of the speculation that iPhone sales will double with the introduction of the new iPhone 3G next month. They believe that the new low pricing will serve to further increase the demand for the iPhone, while at the same time driving up sales to and estimated 27 million units by the end of the 2009 calendar year.

-Jameson

[Source: iLounge]

Apple and AT&T have just finished up their lawsuit with Klausner Technology over the alleged patent infringement. Apple and AT&T have agreed to pay Klausner Technology a settlement in exchange for being official licsenced the visual-voicemail technology. Klausner Technology originally took Apple to court in December seeking $360 million dollars in damages and royalties.

“The patent litigation with Apple has been settled. The patents have been licensed to Apple,” said Klausner Technology founder Judah Klausner. The financial details of the settlement were not released, but I imagine that Klausner Technology made a pretty penny off this one.

[Source: iLounge]