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Windows will make it easier to remote-control Linux PCs
In case there was any doubt that Microsoft's war against Linux is (mostly) over, the company just offered another olive branch. The company has revealed that its PowerShell team is working on support for the Secure Shell protocol and shell sessions (aka SSH) to make it easier for Windows- and Linux-based PCs to connect to and remotely control each other. While SSH has been an option in the Windows world, Microsoft's Angel Calvo says there have been "limited implementations" so far -- this would simplify things and give you "tight integration" with Windows that wasn't feasible before. It's too early to tell when the feature will be available, but it's at least in the cards.
GarageBand for iPad running on an iPhone 4
YouTube user PSPfano has posted a video of GarageBand for iPad running on an iPhone 4. He accomplished this by using a hack (detailed on 9to5) that allows users to modify jailbroken iPhones; it also allows them to run most iPad apps on them. After applying the hack, PSPfano moved the GarageBand for iPad app (with altered metadata) to an iPhone 4 via OpenSSH. The hack isn't perfect, though. As PSPfano states on his YouTube page, "I got GarageBand running on my iPhone 4. Obviously, it isn't properly formatted, but for some reason the track editor worked really smooth and is fully functional." As always, with any hack or jailbreaking, proceed with caution, lest you end up with a non-functioning iPhone. You can check out the video of GarageBand running on an iPhone 4 after the break.
Install and run iPad apps on an iPhone easily with iTelePad2Pod
OK, so this comes straight out of the why would you want to do this category, but thanks to the iSmooth Project folks from iJailbreakNow, installing and running iPad-only apps is now possible for the less tech-savvy on a jailbroken iPhone or iPod touch. The process involves using an app called iTelePad2Pod on your Mac to alter the supported devices metadata of your target iPad app. The modified app is then sent to your iPhone or iPod touch using FTP across OpenSSH (which must be installed on your jailbroken device). It's a fairly straightforward procedure and results in some relatively usable apps. This isn't the first time an iPad app has been installed on an iPhone, the once iPad-only Netflix app had that pleasure courtesy of some clever hackery. These apps are designed for the larger display of the iPad and users may encounter a problem when a button or dialog breaches the bounds of the iPhone's resolution (960x640 for the iPhone 4). If there's an app that's only available for the iPad and you haven't jumped on the tablet bandwagon yet, you now have a relatively user-friendly option. Read on for a video guide. [via ModMyi]
Protect yourself from SSH-based iPhone worms
The internet has been ablaze with reports of jailbroken iPhones being infested with worms. The exploit takes advantage of unwitting jailbreakers who install OpenSSH on their iPhones via Cydia without taking into account all of the impacts on security. The most notable, and now famous, hole in this theory is that every iPhone ships with the same default password for both the all-powerful "root" user as well as the more-restricted "mobile" user. Not surprisingly, Apple has officially commented on the situation noting that "the worm affects only a very specific set of iPhone users who have jail broken[sic] their iPhones and hacked it with unauthorized software." It is pretty clear from Apple's statement their feelings on the jailbreak community and its effects on the iPhone and iPod touch. Luckily, if you need to have OpenSSH installed on your iPhone (who doesn't want a remotely-accessible, full UNIX terminal in their pocket?), there is a pretty simple solution to this problem that will prevent this breed of infestation from ever reaching your iPhone. Remember, this only affects jailbroken iPhone owners who have installed OpenSSH... Begin by installing MobileTerminal via Cydia (alternately, you can login via SSH from Terminal.app or a Cygwin-equipped Windows PC). Type "login", you will be asked for a login name which should be "root" then a password which should be "alpine". Type "passwd" then tap return, you will be asked to type the new password. Tap return and type the new password again. Repeat this same process for the "mobile" user by replacing "root" with "mobile" in step 3. Also, when using passwd to change the password for "mobile" you may be asked the old password which would be "alpine". It is not necessary to use a different password for "root" and "mobile" but if you're highly security conscious, it wouldn't hurt. The second half of this post includes a screen image of my exact process working successfully on OS 3.1.2 with an iPhone 3GS. In addition to changing the user passwords for your iPhone, another good security measure is to use one of the jailbreak apps like BossPrefs or SBSettings to have a toggle that will disable SSH when not in use. Obviously, having SSH disabled (or not installed) is the best defense against worms of this sort. Got any other iPhone security tips? Let us know in the comments!
