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Redsn0w updated with tethered use of Cydia
The iPhone Dev Team released a new version of RedSn0w late last week that includes several major new features. At the top of the list is the inclusion of Cydia in the tethered jailbreak for A4-equipped iOS devices. Previously iPhone 4/3GS owners had to use SSH to install Cydia manually. This latest 0.9.15b1 version also lets owners downgrade to earlier firmwares without jumping through a bunch hoops that require you to stitch your SHSH blobs together with your IPSW and ignore multiple iTunes errors during the restore. You can read the full changelog and detailed install instructions on the iPhone Dev Team's blog. [Via Engadget and Redmond Pie]
iOS 6 tethered jailbreak updated with official Cydia, quicker installation for your A4-packing device
The iPhone Dev-Team has just outed a new version of Redsnow that opens up iOS 6 to an official version of the sinful, definitely-not-Apple Cydia store, but you'll still have to be tethered to use it. The process is now simpler, as the latest version recognizes your already-installed iOS 6 OS and installs only the necessary jailbreak files, and Cydia is now installed automatically as well -- rather than needing a complex workaround like the last version. If you're willing to put up with the tethering and have an A4-powered iPhone 4, 3GS or gen-4 iPod touch device, the laundry list of how to do it is at the source below -- but there's always the risk of bricking, so caveat emptor, of course.
Kindle Paperwhite gets its own jailbreak, E Ink spews everywhere
If you're an avid tinkerer who managed to secure a Kindle Paperwhite before they sold out, then we have some news that may well brighten up your day. A jailbreak based off of the hack for the Kindle Touch has been developed for Amazon's new e-reader and is now available for fearless Paperwhite owners. If you're up to the task, your bravery will award you some elite features which include: using your device as a weather station display and serial terminal access with Raspberry Pi systems. If all of this sounds like a fun weekend project waiting to happen, head on over to source link for step by step instructions.
iPhone 5 jailbroken, but not yet ready for public consumption
You knew that the hackers of the world would be anxious to jailbreak their fresh new iPhone 5's, and the feat's been accomplished just a day after older hardware running iOS 6 was similarly set free. Grant Paul posted the picture you see above on Twitter, confirming his new, elongated iPhone is, indeed, running Cydia. Unfortunately, the jailbreak isn't available to the rest of us just yet, but it shouldn't be long before the masses gain access, too. Viva la liberté!
TUAW Origin Stories: Cydia
This was a special treat for me, being a huge fan of anyone who hacks a closed system to make it better. In this Origin Stories we learn how Jay Freeman (saurik) got started in programming and how he came to create Cydia. Cydia is the premiere "alternative" apps venue outside Apple's own App Store. Jailbreak fans know it well, and yes, you must jailbreak your iPhone to use it. But as jailbreakers know, using Cydia means having access to a plethora of useful tweaks and enhancements in iOS. If you've ever wanted more icons in your dock, or the ability to ignore a paired Bluetooth keyboard (our own Erica Sadun wrote up something for just that), Cydia's vast repositories of useful goodies will help you customize iOS to your heart's content.
How-to posted for jailbreaking iOS 6 on A4-powered iPhones, iPods
Once the gold master version of iOS 6 landed in the hands of developers, the iPhone Dev Team was quick to release an iOS 6-compatible version of its Redsn0w jailbreak tool. Now that iOS 6 is available to the public, select iPhone and iPod touch owners can download the tool and jailbreak their device. This latest version of Redsn0w includes support for iOS 6 devices with an A4 processor, which limits the jailbreak to the iPhone 4, the iPhone 3GS and the fourth generation iPod touch. You should also note that this is a tethered jailbreak, so you will have to connect your iOS device to your Mac every time you reboot your phone. If you don't mind the tethered part of the jailbreak, Redmond Pie has an excellent set of directions that'll step you through the process. iPhone 5, iPhone 4S or iPad 2/3 owners running iOS 6 will have to wait for the Dev Team to successfully jailbreak those devices and package the hack into a public-friendly format. There's no ETA on when the Dev Team will release the jailbreak for these newer devices, so owners will have to practice patience while the Dev Team works out all the details. [Via Engadget]
iOS 6 jailbroken already, but only on older A4-powered iPhones and iPods
iOS 6 probably won't go down in history as a revolutionary update, but fortunately it's anti-tamper measures don't seem to have changed much either. The iPhone Dev-Team has already managed to get its redsn0w tethered jailbreak working, at least for the A4-powered iPhone 4, 3GS and 4th-gen iPod touch, and you'll find full instructions as well as a healthy list of caveats at the source link below. As to how long it'll take to get some Cydia action on the iPhone 5 and other fresher devices and without the hassle of tethering, place your bets here.
Russian hacker gets iOS 6 3D maps running on iPhone 4
This had the smell of inevitability about it. Yes, a Russian hacker got 3D maps working on an iPhone 4. It's not complete and turn-by-turn directions aren't working yet, but it's a start. SlashGear has the story via Russian site iguides. There are instructions on the web, but they are not for the faint-of-heart and require the just released iOS6 jailbreak. I expect there are a lot of disappointed iPhone 4 users out there who are pretty upset that the maps app has so little functionality on their older phones. I could make a half-case for leaving the 3D flyovers off, but certainly turn-by-turn would have been nice to allow. Dozens of other apps have no trouble running on the iPhone 4 or even the 3G model. So readers, are you understanding about this Apple decision, or mad as hell? [via SlashGear]
iPhone Dev-Team has jailbroken iOS 6 Beta
As always, the iPhone Dev Team didn't waste anytime trying to jailbreak Apple's iOS 6.0 beta release. Within a day or so of its announcement, the Dev Team released an iOS 6-compatible version of the redsn0w jailbreak tool for developers. The jailbreak works on limera1n-able devices like the iPod touch 4G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 (GSM) and iPhone 4 (CDMA). This is a tethered jailbreak and designed for developers who write jailbroken apps. Many core iOS components are broken and there is no Cydia in this release. There's also no hacktivation so you have to be an iOS developer with a registered UDID to activate the jailbroken device. Interested developers can download redsn0w 0.9.13dev2 from the Dev Team's website. [Via iFans]
Come see Jay Freeman (saurik) at IndieDevLab today
If you jailbreak you likely are familiar with Cydia, so come hear the man behind the alternative to the App Store, Saurik (aka Jay Freeman) today at IndieDevLab in San Francisco at 11:45am. Also a reminder: we'll be shooting videos about why you created an app (and yes, it can be a jailbreak app) starting tomorrow and going through Thursday. We've sent out the confirmations for Wednesday, but if you come by Thursday we might be able to slide you into the schedule -- although read this post first and understand the caveats. This week in San Francisco has thus far been a great one, even for those who didn't get tickets to WWDC. And don't forget Appsterdam, another alternative workspace for devs during the conference.
Newest version of ultrasn0w unlocks iPhone 4, 3GS on iOS 5.1.1, RedSn0w 0.9.12b1 also released
Are you one of those folks who depends heavily on an iPhone 4 / 3GS unlock, but made the unsafe trip toward iOS 5.1.1 territory? Worry no more, as the hard-working Dev-Team's come through yet again, delivering its newest version of ultrasn0w to help alleviate your carrier lockdown problems. Version 1.2.7 of the unlocking method is friendly with iPhone 4s (nope, not the 4S) on baseband 01.59.00, while the older 3G / 3GS slabs will have to be on 04.26.08, 05.11.07, 05.12.01, 05.13.04 or 06.15.00. To go along with the latest ultrasn0w release, the Dev-Team also outed a fresh copy of RedSn0w (0.9.12b1) for both Windows and Mac, making it easier for devices sporting Cupertino's A4 chip -- and other earlier ones -- to adopt and restore using an untethered solution. All in all, we'd say it's a pretty good day for the jailbreak scene. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Hacker pod2g to speak and run hacking workshop at JailbreakCon's WWJC
While WWJC's already got a healthy list of special guests to address fellow iOS hackers, word has it that pod2g -- a well-known and good-looking contributor to the iDevice jailbreak scene -- will be the latest guest to join JailbreakCon's show on September 29th. Better still, the self-professed iOS security researcher will be both speaking and running a workshop there, making it all worthwhile for attendees traveling all the way to San Francisco. For those who want to familiarize yourselves with pod2g, hit the Redmond Pie link below to see his interview by JailbreakCon's Craig Fox. Or, you know, you can head over to WWJC to meet the man up close and personal -- just make sure you get a ticket first before it's too late!
The EFF on Apple's "crystal prison"
The EFF takes on Apple and its locked down ecosystem in a long essay on its website. The article calls out Apple and Microsoft for imposing "an ugly set of restrictions" on what users and programmers can do with mobile devices. The EFF also accuses the two companies of providing unacceptable excuses for why they must establish these rules. For iOS owners, the only escape from this crystal prison, says the EFF, is jailbreaking, which lets an iOS device install apps from a variety of sources including the popular jailbreak app repository Cydia. To free mobile devices from this tyranny, the EFF proposes a bill of rights for mobile computer owners that'll let consumers use a mobile device any way they see fit. Under this bill, consumer rights include the installation of arbitrary applications on the device, access to the phone OS at the root/superuser/hypervisor/administrator level, the option to install a different OS altogether and hardware warranties that are clearly independent of software warranties. The group calls on Apple to innovate in this area like it does in hardware and software design. It asks the Cupertino company to lead the way by adopting a new openness that gives users the right to modify their device.
Absinthe jailbreak for iOS downloaded 1.1 million times
The hard-working Chronic-Dev Team has announced that just over one million users have jailbroken their iOS devices with Greenpois0n Absinthe 2.0. That's impressive, considering the jailbreak was released just three days ago. Greenpois0n Absinthe 2.0 is for firmware 5.1.1 only and available now. Happy jailbreaking.
Absinthe 2.0 used to jailbreak nearly one million iOS devices in a single weekend
973,086 iOS devices were jailbroken in a single weekend thanks to Absinthe 2.0, which was released on Friday. Chronic-Dev, one half of the Jailbreak Dream Team tweeted the announcement yesterday, adding that 211,401 of those freed were third-generation iPads. If you want to loosen your own Apple-branded handheld from the clutches of Cupertino's control, then the warranty-worrying software is still available -- with the promise that it's so easy, your grandma could do it.
Untethered iOS 5.1.1 jailbreak for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch now available
This is super good news for the jailbreak crowd. GreenPois0n Absinthe 2.0 is out for iOS 5.1.1 untethered jailbreaking enjoyment. Absinthe is an easy solution for jailbreaking, and going untethered is pretty awesome. Excellent work by Chronic Dev Team and pod2g. Absinthe works on A4-powered devices and A5 ones, like the iPhone 4S and new iPad. It won't work on the newer iPad 2, however (thanks for pointing out the distinction -- the newer iPad 2 uses a different chipset). JailbreakUntethered has explanations on how to get this going on your device, so if you've ever wanted to try jailbreaking, it's never been easier. [Via BGR]
Absinthe 2.0 hits the download wire, jailbreaks all iOS 5.1.1 devices but the 32nm iPad 2
Absinthe's "so-easy-your-grandma-could-do-it" jailbreak tool just got an update to version 2.0, enabling support for a handful of Apple portables running iOS 5.1.1. Absinthe 2.0, which was developed by the "Jailbreak Dream Team" (Chronic-Dev and iPhone Dev) joins Redsn0w's tool, and will support all iPhone and iPad versions, with the exception of iPad2,4 -- the most recent iPad 2 variant, shipping with a 32nm A5 chip. The jailbreak tool can also be installed on iPod3,1 and 4,1 models. Assuming your iOS device is up and running with firmware 5.1.1, you can hit up the source link after the break to get your download on. AppleTV (second gen) users can get in on the fun too, with the latest version of Seas0npass for 5.0.1.
IndieDevLab announces speakers
Couldn't get tickets to WWDC or can't afford it? Be sure to check out IndieDevLab, which we wrote about here. Here's a quick recap: indiedevlab will pay host to many developers as a place to come during before and after WWDC to work/play and meet like minded people. Throughout the 4 days there will be a Games remix contest in which developers attending will be given the source code to a bare bones game and their task will be to remix said game to be the next Angry Birds (We hope), at the end of the 4 day event the games will be put up to an esteemed panel of judges to decide on the best game, winners will be chosen on creativity, gameplay and the use of the iOS touchscreen set. Also, they just announced speakers, and it's a great lineup: First up we have the jailbreak king himself Mr Jay Freeman (aka saurik), as you may or may not know saurik is the founder of saurikIT and he runs the only jailbreak AppStore "cydia", we felt he would be an incredible asset to this event and you really can't go more indie then jailbreaking itself. Second is Nate True.....What more do I need to say then Nate created one of the most hotly anticipated games EVER to be on the iOS platform: Tap Tap Revenge. Third is Ben Zadik. Ben Zadik heads Babble-on, an app localization company in San Francisco. He has led the translation efforts of some of your favorite apps, including Shazam and Skyfire. He'll talk about what translators expect to get from devs and why you should localize, as well as a few funny (but awful) localization snafus. Fourth is Dan Grover. Dan is an extremely well ventured iOS/OSX developer and has recently sold his piano learning iOS iPad app "Etude" to Steinway & Sons. We are yet to confirm more speakers and we would suggest anyone to keep up to date with this to follow @indiedevlab TUAW will be in attendance as well, and we'll try to talk to as many developers as we can. See you in San Francisco!
Refresh Roundup: week of May 14th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Daily Update for May 17, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
