The Apple iPhone Thread (1 Viewer)

[One]

Get ready to laugh but...why the f can't I open a pix message from this pretty hot asian chick I want to bang? It sends me to some website that sucks...that sucks!

Yeah, I haven't been able to get picture messages either. It says to go to a site, and I tried it once to no avail. Haven't bothered trying again, so who knows.

You need to pay APPL to unlock that technology for you.

It's AAPL, punchy.

Alias is better than this.

 

[goonsquad]

Get ready to laugh but...why the f can't I open a pix message from this pretty hot asian chick I want to bang? It sends me to some website that sucks...that sucks!

Yeah, I haven't been able to get picture messages either. It says to go to a site, and I tried it once to no avail. Haven't bothered trying again, so who knows.

You need to pay APPL to unlock that technology for you.

It's AAPL, punchy.

Alias is better than this.

I'm not so sure anymore.

 

[Sundays Rule]

Viewmymessage.com isnt loading. Every site I type loads up but that one doesn't. Cant view any multimedia messages, any help on this? Says server isnt responding.

 

[Alias]

c'mon I was talking about this APPL

http://www.appl.org/

 

[Sundays Rule]

No ones having problems with that view my message site?

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

No ones having problems with that view my message site?

Worked for me two nights ago. Pics were small and poor quality though. They actually looked better on my old Razr (verizon).

 

[Memphis Foundry]

No ones having problems with that view my message site?

I have always found it to be very spotty -- it will work one moment and not the next. I would recommend retrying every few minutes until you get through, then export the message out of there as quickly as possible. Agree with the others who stated this but the pics are small and poor quality and your export options are extremely limited (PDF being the best one).

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

What are those two little white dots for?

 

[Jules]

What are those two little white dots for?

if you finger pull the screen to the left, you will see another screen full of iconsQuestion: what is the "key" for that came with it that is used to pull open the part next to the headphone jack.

 

[rgabbard]

What are those two little white dots for?

if you finger pull the screen to the left, you will see another screen full of iconsQuestion: what is the "key" for that came with it that is used to pull open the part next to the headphone jack.

I believe that's for the SIM card...don't quote me on it though.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

What are those two little white dots for?

if you finger pull the screen to the left, you will see another screen full of iconsQuestion: what is the "key" for that came with it that is used to pull open the part next to the headphone jack.

Oh, thanks. I see "Contacts on the second page". How do I move it to the first page?And sorry, but no clue about your question. Massive newb here.

 

[rodg12]

What are those two little white dots for?

if you finger pull the screen to the left, you will see another screen full of iconsQuestion: what is the "key" for that came with it that is used to pull open the part next to the headphone jack.

I believe that's for the SIM card...don't quote me on it though.

This is the correct answer.

 

[Alias]

According to iPhone Atlas and iPhone hacker-extraordinaire Jonathan Zdziarski, Apple has readied a blacklisting system which allows the company to remotely disable applications on your device. Apparently, the new 2.x firmware contains a URL which points to a page containing a list of "unauthorized" apps -- a move which suggests that the device makes occasional contact with Apple's servers to see if anything is amiss on your phone. In Jonathan's words: "This suggests that the iPhone calls home once in a while to find out what applications it should turn off. At the moment, no apps have been blacklisted, but by all appearances, this has been added to disable applications that the user has already downloaded and paid for, if Apple so chooses to shut them down. I discovered this doing a forensic examination of an iPhone 3G. It appears to be tucked away in a configuration file deep inside CoreLocation."

 

[adonis]

What are those two little white dots for?

if you finger pull the screen to the left, you will see another screen full of iconsQuestion: what is the "key" for that came with it that is used to pull open the part next to the headphone jack.

Oh, thanks. I see "Contacts on the second page". How do I move it to the first page?And sorry, but no clue about your question. Massive newb here.

Hold your finger on the icon you want to move, after a few seconds all will start moving, and having "x"'s in the top left corner. Drag the icon you want to move all the way to the left or right of your screen, and position it how you want it to be. Then press the home button when you have things how you want them.

 

[Alias]

The T700 is a pretty slick looking phone.

 

[goonsquad]

The T700 is a pretty slick looking phone.

 

[goonsquad]

12 iPhone tricks you may not know.

 

[Sundays Rule]

I just noticed what mayor may not be air bubbles. Not air bubbles under my screen protector, but air bubbles under the actual phone screen. Like three miscolored dots in the upper left corner near the ear piece. I looked at other iphones in the apple store and notice some had it too. Is this a manufacturer defect? Anyone hear of this problem?

 

[Sundays Rule]

No one knows about an air bubble problem?

 

[One]

No one knows about an air bubble problem?

Nope.

 

[Ari Gold]

Has anyone tried downloading the AIM app and put your correct screename and password in and getting an incorrect page? Same thing happened with the facebook app for me..

 

[Pooch]

12 iPhone tricks you may not know.

Nice link. Thanks.

 

[Sundays Rule]

Best apps?

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

No one knows about an air bubble problem?

Nope.

I read a thread at iLounge yesterday about this. They seemed to think it was dust particles and surmised that there were slight gaps between the screen and the housing in some phones. Go check it out.And thanks Adonis, for the earlier instructions, got it. Also explains what that shaking I saw the other day was (I was pretty buzzed -- thought it was me ).

 

[adonis]

According to iPhone Atlas and iPhone hacker-extraordinaire Jonathan Zdziarski, Apple has readied a blacklisting system which allows the company to remotely disable applications on your device. Apparently, the new 2.x firmware contains a URL which points to a page containing a list of "unauthorized" apps -- a move which suggests that the device makes occasional contact with Apple's servers to see if anything is amiss on your phone. In Jonathan's words: "This suggests that the iPhone calls home once in a while to find out what applications it should turn off. At the moment, no apps have been blacklisted, but by all appearances, this has been added to disable applications that the user has already downloaded and paid for, if Apple so chooses to shut them down. I discovered this doing a forensic examination of an iPhone 3G. It appears to be tucked away in a configuration file deep inside CoreLocation."

It appears we can all breathe a big sigh of relief when it comes to our iPhone apps. According to John Gruber (Daring Fireball), that suspicious looking URL discovered in the firmware 2.x which appeared to be set to deactivate applications may be something slightly more innocuous. According to Gruber -- via "an informed source at Apple" -- the "clbl" in the aforementioned URL stands for "Core Location Blacklist" and is actually used to stipulate that specific pieces of software don't have access to... you guessed it... Core Location. Gruber argues that this makes sense, as the API is covered by fairly strict rules in Apple's SDK. So it looks like (at a glance) this was much ado about nothing -- thanks to a little misinterpretation by Jonathan Zdziarski -- though we are considering getting hot under the collar that Apple reserves the right to deny Core Location access. How dare they?

 

[The Commish]

According to iPhone Atlas and iPhone hacker-extraordinaire Jonathan Zdziarski, Apple has readied a blacklisting system which allows the company to remotely disable applications on your device. Apparently, the new 2.x firmware contains a URL which points to a page containing a list of "unauthorized" apps -- a move which suggests that the device makes occasional contact with Apple's servers to see if anything is amiss on your phone. In Jonathan's words: "This suggests that the iPhone calls home once in a while to find out what applications it should turn off. At the moment, no apps have been blacklisted, but by all appearances, this has been added to disable applications that the user has already downloaded and paid for, if Apple so chooses to shut them down. I discovered this doing a forensic examination of an iPhone 3G. It appears to be tucked away in a configuration file deep inside CoreLocation."

It appears we can all breathe a big sigh of relief when it comes to our iPhone apps. According to John Gruber (Daring Fireball), that suspicious looking URL discovered in the firmware 2.x which appeared to be set to deactivate applications may be something slightly more innocuous. According to Gruber -- via "an informed source at Apple" -- the "clbl" in the aforementioned URL stands for "Core Location Blacklist" and is actually used to stipulate that specific pieces of software don't have access to... you guessed it... Core Location. Gruber argues that this makes sense, as the API is covered by fairly strict rules in Apple's SDK. So it looks like (at a glance) this was much ado about nothing -- thanks to a little misinterpretation by Jonathan Zdziarski -- though we are considering getting hot under the collar that Apple reserves the right to deny Core Location access. How dare they?

I came to ask about this very topic. Figured you guys would be on top of it. What exactly is "Core Location"?? It's interesting that they are able to get away with locking people out of certain areas of their OS/software. I wonder if they will face the same scrutiny that MS did when they tried to do this on their software packages.

 

[adonis]

According to iPhone Atlas and iPhone hacker-extraordinaire Jonathan Zdziarski, Apple has readied a blacklisting system which allows the company to remotely disable applications on your device. Apparently, the new 2.x firmware contains a URL which points to a page containing a list of "unauthorized" apps -- a move which suggests that the device makes occasional contact with Apple's servers to see if anything is amiss on your phone. In Jonathan's words: "This suggests that the iPhone calls home once in a while to find out what applications it should turn off. At the moment, no apps have been blacklisted, but by all appearances, this has been added to disable applications that the user has already downloaded and paid for, if Apple so chooses to shut them down. I discovered this doing a forensic examination of an iPhone 3G. It appears to be tucked away in a configuration file deep inside CoreLocation."

It appears we can all breathe a big sigh of relief when it comes to our iPhone apps. According to John Gruber (Daring Fireball), that suspicious looking URL discovered in the firmware 2.x which appeared to be set to deactivate applications may be something slightly more innocuous. According to Gruber -- via "an informed source at Apple" -- the "clbl" in the aforementioned URL stands for "Core Location Blacklist" and is actually used to stipulate that specific pieces of software don't have access to... you guessed it... Core Location. Gruber argues that this makes sense, as the API is covered by fairly strict rules in Apple's SDK. So it looks like (at a glance) this was much ado about nothing -- thanks to a little misinterpretation by Jonathan Zdziarski -- though we are considering getting hot under the collar that Apple reserves the right to deny Core Location access. How dare they?

I came to ask about this very topic. Figured you guys would be on top of it. What exactly is "Core Location"?? It's interesting that they are able to get away with locking people out of certain areas of their OS/software. I wonder if they will face the same scrutiny that MS did when they tried to do this on their software packages.

It's a practical thing. Core location gives applicaitons access to location information, GPS, lat/long values. You don't want all apps to be able to access this information uncontrolled. Could track locations of all users without their permission if this were the case.

 

[goonsquad]

I came to ask about this very topic. Figured you guys would be on top of it. What exactly is "Core Location"?? It's interesting that they are able to get away with locking people out of certain areas of their OS/software. I wonder if they will face the same scrutiny that MS did when they tried to do this on their software packages.

More on this topic; doesn't appear to be as insidious as it's being made out to be. In fact it looks as if RIM and Nokia have similar capability over their platforms.

Researcher discovers targeted iPhone app "kill switch"

By Aidan Malley

Published: 07:20 PM EST

A mobile development author has discovered a mechanism in Apple's iPhone software that would allow the company to blacklist and remotely deactivate installed apps that have been purchased and installed by users.

The kill switch would offer Apple a more targeted weapon to snuff out offending apps than its existing capacity to revoke a developer's signing certificate, an action that could ultimately be used to shut down every application being distributed by a developer. The more accurate aim of the new system may leave the company less hesitant to use it in rooting out apps it finds undesirable.

Jonathan Zdziarksi's iPhone Open Application Development indicates that the CoreLocation framework in the iPhone 2.0 (as well as the updated iPod touch firmware) points to a secure website that appears to contain at least placeholder code for a list of "unauthorized" apps.

While it's unclear as to whether or not the operating system consults this site often or at all, its existence hints to Zdziarski the possibility of a kill switch that would give Apple final say over an app's ability to run, effectively putting all of the handheld devices under watch as long as they have an Internet connection.

"This suggests that the iPhone calls home once in a while to find out what applications it should turn off," he says. "At the moment, no apps have been blacklisted, but by all appearances, this has been added to disable applications that the user has already downloaded and paid for, if Apple so chooses to shut them down."

The finding expands upon Apple's previously recognized capability to revoke developer's certificates in order to prevent execution of their apps, a power also held by other platforms that have the capacity for mandatory certificate signing, including the Symbian OS 9.1 or greater in use by Nokia as well as RIM's BlackBerry OS.

As part of the security architecture for its mobile WiFi platform, as outlined by Apple chief Steve Jobs in October of last year, the iPhone SDK requires that each app that is made available through the App Store be signed by a security certificate, issued by Apple and unique to the developer. The iPhone refuses to run unsigned apps unless its security system has been defeated by jailbreaking.

The most obvious purpose of requiring that all iPhone apps be signed is that it allows Apple to selectively approve developers and the apps that are distributed through the Apps Store. However, as the iPhone's certificate signing authority, Apple has always had the option of retroactively revoking certificates at any stage and rendering programs unusable. In order for this to happen, the iPhone would only need to consult Apple's servers to gain an updated list of revoked certificates. Once a developer's certificate was revoked, none of their signed apps would run, just as is the case with unsigned apps.

That type of control over third party apps has stirred controversy on other platforms before, as it demands full and complete trust in the company managing the certificate authority to behave fairly and in the interests of users. Apple, RIM, and others could theoretically abuse their control to revoke rights for competitors' apps, or to punish developers for arbitrary reasons. Microsoft's Palladium project, which hoped to convert the PC into a similarly secured platform, failed because the industry as a whole did not trust Microsoft to exercise the vast power it would gain over the entire PC hardware market.

Apple has described its certificate signing program as a means of securing iPhones and iPods against viruses, spyware, malware, and material determined to be indecent. However, since the Apps Store opened nearly a month ago, the company has also pulled a few apps from the store, such as Nullrivers' NetShare, either without stating any reason or because those apps were found in violation of Apple's policies. In the case of NetShare, it appears Apple removed the app from the store in order to appease AT&T, which does not support Internet sharing tethering on the iPhone data plan.

While Apple has pulled apps from the store, it has not yet revoked any known developer's certificate, a move that would kill all their apps and could potentially prevent them from running on mobile devices after their purchase and installation. Certificate revocation would likely only be used by Apple in an emergency case, where signed apps in the wild were found to be malicious after the fact.

However, Zdziarski's findings suggest that Apple could use a more targeted blacklist site as a kill switch to disable specific apps. This mechanism could similarly be used to stop malicious malware, disabling viral apps before they have an opportunity to spread out of control. It could also be used by Apple to give IT managers the ability to remotely disable apps from their employees' phones. Apple has already outlined plans for delivering custom corporate app deployment through a local version of the iTunes App Store. Being able to both remotely install and remove apps from mobile devices would be a highly desirable feature for IT managers in high security environments.

Apple has so far not exercised any of its revocation powers. Despite having removed apps from sale in the store, the company has yet to disable any apps that have been installed by users. A test item on the unauthorized apps list Zdziarski discovered is described as "malicious," suggesting that the Cupertino-based company behind the list is at least currently interested more in stamping out threats to its customers than it is policing the software on users' phones.

 

[QUEZILLA]

I heard there was a company sellign an Ap for 999.99, and like 8 people bought it before Apple pulled it. All it did was put a jewel gem looking thing on the screen, and let everyone know you were rich enough to buy a thousand dollar AP.

 

[QUEZILLA]

The T700 is a pretty slick looking phone.

This phone is going to be the iPhone killer.

 

[Osaurus]

I heard there was a company sellign an Ap for 999.99, and like 8 people bought it before Apple pulled it. All it did was put a jewel gem looking thing on the screen, and let everyone know you were rich enough to buy a thousand dollar AP.

 

[flufhed]

The T700 is a pretty slick looking phone.

This phone is going to be the iPhone killer.

Really?I tlooks like a clunky piece of #### to me. The whole thing that is swaying me to the iphone iover others is partly the simple elegance of its design. This thing looks like a monstrosity.

 

[The Commish]

According to iPhone Atlas and iPhone hacker-extraordinaire Jonathan Zdziarski, Apple has readied a blacklisting system which allows the company to remotely disable applications on your device. Apparently, the new 2.x firmware contains a URL which points to a page containing a list of "unauthorized" apps -- a move which suggests that the device makes occasional contact with Apple's servers to see if anything is amiss on your phone. In Jonathan's words: "This suggests that the iPhone calls home once in a while to find out what applications it should turn off. At the moment, no apps have been blacklisted, but by all appearances, this has been added to disable applications that the user has already downloaded and paid for, if Apple so chooses to shut them down. I discovered this doing a forensic examination of an iPhone 3G. It appears to be tucked away in a configuration file deep inside CoreLocation."

It appears we can all breathe a big sigh of relief when it comes to our iPhone apps. According to John Gruber (Daring Fireball), that suspicious looking URL discovered in the firmware 2.x which appeared to be set to deactivate applications may be something slightly more innocuous. According to Gruber -- via "an informed source at Apple" -- the "clbl" in the aforementioned URL stands for "Core Location Blacklist" and is actually used to stipulate that specific pieces of software don't have access to... you guessed it... Core Location. Gruber argues that this makes sense, as the API is covered by fairly strict rules in Apple's SDK. So it looks like (at a glance) this was much ado about nothing -- thanks to a little misinterpretation by Jonathan Zdziarski -- though we are considering getting hot under the collar that Apple reserves the right to deny Core Location access. How dare they?

I came to ask about this very topic. Figured you guys would be on top of it. What exactly is "Core Location"?? It's interesting that they are able to get away with locking people out of certain areas of their OS/software. I wonder if they will face the same scrutiny that MS did when they tried to do this on their software packages.

It's a practical thing. Core location gives applicaitons access to location information, GPS, lat/long values. You don't want all apps to be able to access this information uncontrolled. Could track locations of all users without their permission if this were the case.

Should be interesting. While I agree with what you are saying, this is similar to the argument MS made in their OS several years back in the Windows 3.11 / Windows 95 era. MS was saying there were internal pieces of information that should be kept secure since they were crucial to OS stability and lost that war. This doesn't appear to be exactly the same, but similar.I am torn on it. On one hand I understand that they don't want the info out for the reasons you listed. On the other, if a person wants that kind of technology in their phone, then they should understand the possible risk. Regardless...if that functionality is in the phone, it's only a matter of time before people figure out a backdoor in and/or a way to hack the "safeguard" put in place. I find it much easier just to eliminate the functionality in the phone all together if it's that big of a concern. Just my

 

[The Commish]

The T700 is a pretty slick looking phone.

This phone is going to be the iPhone killer.

Really?I tlooks like a clunky piece of #### to me. The whole thing that is swaying me to the iphone iover others is partly the simple elegance of its design. This thing looks like a monstrosity.

This phone:1.9 x 4.1 x 0.4 inches

iphone:

2.4 x 4.5 x .48 inches

Don't have a dog in the fight...just sayin'

 

[QUEZILLA]

The T700 is a pretty slick looking phone.

This phone is going to be the iPhone killer.

Really?I tlooks like a clunky piece of #### to me. The whole thing that is swaying me to the iphone iover others is partly the simple elegance of its design. This thing looks like a monstrosity.

 

[goonsquad]

DaringFireball.net clarifies that the published blacklist url likely only blocks malicious apps from accessing the iPhone's Core Location functions. Core Location allows applications to detect the user's location through GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation.

An informed source at Apple confirmed to me that the “clbl” in the URL stands for “Core Location Blacklist”, and that it does just that. It is not a blacklist for disabling apps completely, but rather specifically for preventing any listed apps from accessing Core Location — an API which, for obvious privacy reasons, is covered by very strict rules in the iPhone SDK guidelines.

 

[The Commish]

DaringFireball.net clarifies that the published blacklist url likely only blocks malicious apps from accessing the iPhone's Core Location functions. Core Location allows applications to detect the user's location through GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation.

An informed source at Apple confirmed to me that the “clbl” in the URL stands for “Core Location Blacklist”, and that it does just that. It is not a blacklist for disabling apps completely, but rather specifically for preventing any listed apps from accessing Core Location — an API which, for obvious privacy reasons, is covered by very strict rules in the iPhone SDK guidelines.

This seems like an exercise in futility. I am in the process of trying to secure some dbs from certain "apps" hitting them and I have come to the conclusion that it's impossible...all they have to do is change the app name to something not on the list.

 

[flufhed]

The T700 is a pretty slick looking phone.

This phone is going to be the iPhone killer.

Really?I tlooks like a clunky piece of #### to me. The whole thing that is swaying me to the iphone iover others is partly the simple elegance of its design. This thing looks like a monstrosity.

This phone:1.9 x 4.1 x 0.4 inches

iphone:

2.4 x 4.5 x .48 inches

Don't have a dog in the fight...just sayin'

I saw the dimensions. It defiitely looks small. But I find nothing simple or elegant about the design. HJas all those buttons popping out everywhere - just looks kind of clunky to me.

 

[DanFouts]

Finally jumped in this weekend. Not wanting to wait in line has been the delay for me.

Saturday, at 11am, only 2 people in line. In and out and switched from Sprint in 25 min. Got one for me and one for the wife.

Love it!!

Any site that reviews the apps besides itunes?

Also, looking for a better app than notes...something a la memo pad in the palm/treo? Like to keep lists (like frequent flier numbers, gym locker combo, etc) that are easy to access.....

 

[adonis]

Finally jumped in this weekend. Not wanting to wait in line has been the delay for me.

Saturday, at 11am, only 2 people in line. In and out and switched from Sprint in 25 min. Got one for me and one for the wife.

Love it!!

Any site that reviews the apps besides itunes?

Also, looking for a better app than notes...something a la memo pad in the palm/treo? Like to keep lists (like frequent flier numbers, gym locker combo, etc) that are easy to access.....

Maybe this would be a good notes alternative? When it's released.Not sure on a good site for app reviews, but I'd be interested in knowing this as well.

 

[Texican]

Well I am thinking about biting the bullet and getting an iPhone now that the lines have dies down. Curious though...I heard there are alot of fees (monthly). About how much is everything per month? (I know it varies based upon your minutes plan, but round about? I spend about $80 or so now on my phone and $60 or so on my laptop card - so I am seeing if it would be less per month.)

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Finally jumped in this weekend. Not wanting to wait in line has been the delay for me.

Saturday, at 11am, only 2 people in line. In and out and switched from Sprint in 25 min. Got one for me and one for the wife.

Love it!!

Any site that reviews the apps besides itunes?

Also, looking for a better app than notes...something a la memo pad in the palm/treo? Like to keep lists (like frequent flier numbers, gym locker combo, etc) that are easy to access.....

Maybe this would be a good notes alternative? When it's released.Not sure on a good site for app reviews, but I'd be interested in knowing this as well.

Me too (on the app reviews).And why isn't "notes" any good?

 

[The Commish]

DaringFireball.net clarifies that the published blacklist url likely only blocks malicious apps from accessing the iPhone's Core Location functions. Core Location allows applications to detect the user's location through GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation.

An informed source at Apple confirmed to me that the “clbl” in the URL stands for “Core Location Blacklist”, and that it does just that. It is not a blacklist for disabling apps completely, but rather specifically for preventing any listed apps from accessing Core Location — an API which, for obvious privacy reasons, is covered by very strict rules in the iPhone SDK guidelines.

This seems like an exercise in futility. I am in the process of trying to secure some dbs from certain "apps" hitting them and I have come to the conclusion that it's impossible...all they have to do is change the app name to something not on the list.

His best shot at getting away with this is touting it from an anti-virus standpoint IF someone wants to push the issue. I personally don't seem as a big enough target yet, but it won't be long:http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10013322...ag=2547-1_3-0-5

 

[Memphis Foundry]

DaringFireball.net clarifies that the published blacklist url likely only blocks malicious apps from accessing the iPhone's Core Location functions. Core Location allows applications to detect the user's location through GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation.

An informed source at Apple confirmed to me that the “clbl” in the URL stands for “Core Location Blacklist”, and that it does just that. It is not a blacklist for disabling apps completely, but rather specifically for preventing any listed apps from accessing Core Location — an API which, for obvious privacy reasons, is covered by very strict rules in the iPhone SDK guidelines.

This seems like an exercise in futility. I am in the process of trying to secure some dbs from certain "apps" hitting them and I have come to the conclusion that it's impossible...all they have to do is change the app name to something not on the list.

His best shot at getting away with this is touting it from an anti-virus standpoint IF someone wants to push the issue. I personally don't seem as a big enough target yet, but it won't be long:http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10013322...ag=2547-1_3-0-5

Even if an Apple blacklist doesn't exist currently, as long as they control the phone's firmware, they have the keys to the kingdom. They're just hampered somewhat by wanting to avoid appearing arbitrary. That's why I think what happens to NetShare -- an app they clearly dislike because it puts them in an uncomfortable position with AT&T -- over the next couple of firmware releases will be a bellwether for what we can expect from Apple.

 

[The Commish]

DaringFireball.net clarifies that the published blacklist url likely only blocks malicious apps from accessing the iPhone's Core Location functions. Core Location allows applications to detect the user's location through GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation.

An informed source at Apple confirmed to me that the “clbl” in the URL stands for “Core Location Blacklist”, and that it does just that. It is not a blacklist for disabling apps completely, but rather specifically for preventing any listed apps from accessing Core Location — an API which, for obvious privacy reasons, is covered by very strict rules in the iPhone SDK guidelines.

This seems like an exercise in futility. I am in the process of trying to secure some dbs from certain "apps" hitting them and I have come to the conclusion that it's impossible...all they have to do is change the app name to something not on the list.

His best shot at getting away with this is touting it from an anti-virus standpoint IF someone wants to push the issue. I personally don't seem as a big enough target yet, but it won't be long:http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10013322...ag=2547-1_3-0-5

Even if an Apple blacklist doesn't exist currently, as long as they control the phone's firmware, they have the keys to the kingdom. They're just hampered somewhat by wanting to avoid appearing arbitrary. That's why I think what happens to NetShare -- an app they clearly dislike because it puts them in an uncomfortable position with AT&T -- over the next couple of firmware releases will be a bellwether for what we can expect from Apple.

I guess the question is, can a list exist without any items on it?? Jobs makes it clear that the functionality is there to blacklist apps THEY deem inappropriate. I am not sure what he thinks he is going to accomplish going down virtually the same road MS did with their OS. I agree that if they control the firmware, they should be fine, but this doesn't seem to be a firmware issue. Or am I confused? What is NetShare and how does it play into this?

 

[Memphis Foundry]

DaringFireball.net clarifies that the published blacklist url likely only blocks malicious apps from accessing the iPhone's Core Location functions. Core Location allows applications to detect the user's location through GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation.

An informed source at Apple confirmed to me that the “clbl” in the URL stands for “Core Location Blacklist”, and that it does just that. It is not a blacklist for disabling apps completely, but rather specifically for preventing any listed apps from accessing Core Location — an API which, for obvious privacy reasons, is covered by very strict rules in the iPhone SDK guidelines.

This seems like an exercise in futility. I am in the process of trying to secure some dbs from certain "apps" hitting them and I have come to the conclusion that it's impossible...all they have to do is change the app name to something not on the list.

His best shot at getting away with this is touting it from an anti-virus standpoint IF someone wants to push the issue. I personally don't seem as a big enough target yet, but it won't be long:http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10013322...ag=2547-1_3-0-5

Even if an Apple blacklist doesn't exist currently, as long as they control the phone's firmware, they have the keys to the kingdom. They're just hampered somewhat by wanting to avoid appearing arbitrary. That's why I think what happens to NetShare -- an app they clearly dislike because it puts them in an uncomfortable position with AT&T -- over the next couple of firmware releases will be a bellwether for what we can expect from Apple.

I guess the question is, can a list exist without any items on it?? Jobs makes it clear that the functionality is there to blacklist apps THEY deem inappropriate. I am not sure what he thinks he is going to accomplish going down virtually the same road MS did with their OS. I agree that if they control the firmware, they should be fine, but this doesn't seem to be a firmware issue. Or am I confused? What is NetShare and how does it play into this?

Maybe I misunderstood what you're saying. I think the Core Location blacklist was created for user protection (and as a PR olive leaf extended to those who are truly paranoid about the idea of carrying a GPS in their pocket) and is a good idea on pretty much every level, even though there's nothing on the list right now. However, whether Apple/Jobs admits it in public or not, they have absolute control over what apps can run on the iPhone, both by pre-vetting at the App Store and, if that fails, by merely updating the firmware to render any app they don't like non-functional. They could do that indirectly (by "accidentally" disabling the functionality of an existing app via an update) or directly (by maintaining an explicit blacklist) -- but the indirect approach is much more PR-friendly and therefore more likely.NetShare is an app written by NullRiver that is troublesome for Apple. It made it through the App Store vetting process, appeared for sale worldwide twice (and was pulled down twice), and was purchased by (likely) thousands of customers at $9.99. The application essentially turns the iPhone into a 3G or EDGE SOCKS proxy, allowing users to "tether" their laptop or desktop to the iPhone and use the carrier network as an internet connection. It's not truly a tethering app but it is close, likely the closest anyone will ever get to tethering with a non-jailbroken iPhone. This is (to AT&T) a blatant violation of AT&T's terms of service which prohibit tethering the iPhone and a potential loss of massive amounts of revenue. I think it would be interesting to see how a court would rule on whether the software is actually "tethering" or not. But the app put Apple in a precarious position with many of their carrier partners, so they pulled it off the App Store. At the same time, hundreds if not thousands of Apple's customers paid ten bucks for the app, so they have some skin in the game, too. Currently, the app is still not available for new purchases but it continues to function. We'll see if it continues to function after the next firmware release...

More info: http://www.macrumors.com/2008/08/08/netsha...-u-s-app-store/

 

[The Commish]

DaringFireball.net clarifies that the published blacklist url likely only blocks malicious apps from accessing the iPhone's Core Location functions. Core Location allows applications to detect the user's location through GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation.

An informed source at Apple confirmed to me that the “clbl” in the URL stands for “Core Location Blacklist”, and that it does just that. It is not a blacklist for disabling apps completely, but rather specifically for preventing any listed apps from accessing Core Location — an API which, for obvious privacy reasons, is covered by very strict rules in the iPhone SDK guidelines.

This seems like an exercise in futility. I am in the process of trying to secure some dbs from certain "apps" hitting them and I have come to the conclusion that it's impossible...all they have to do is change the app name to something not on the list.

His best shot at getting away with this is touting it from an anti-virus standpoint IF someone wants to push the issue. I personally don't seem as a big enough target yet, but it won't be long:http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10013322...ag=2547-1_3-0-5

Even if an Apple blacklist doesn't exist currently, as long as they control the phone's firmware, they have the keys to the kingdom. They're just hampered somewhat by wanting to avoid appearing arbitrary. That's why I think what happens to NetShare -- an app they clearly dislike because it puts them in an uncomfortable position with AT&T -- over the next couple of firmware releases will be a bellwether for what we can expect from Apple.

I guess the question is, can a list exist without any items on it?? Jobs makes it clear that the functionality is there to blacklist apps THEY deem inappropriate. I am not sure what he thinks he is going to accomplish going down virtually the same road MS did with their OS. I agree that if they control the firmware, they should be fine, but this doesn't seem to be a firmware issue. Or am I confused? What is NetShare and how does it play into this?

Maybe I misunderstood what you're saying. I think the Core Location blacklist was created for user protection (and as a PR olive leaf extended to those who are truly paranoid about the idea of carrying a GPS in their pocket) and is a good idea on pretty much every level, even though there's nothing on the list right now. However, whether Apple/Jobs admits it in public or not, they have absolute control over what apps can run on the iPhone, both by pre-vetting at the App Store and, if that fails, by merely updating the firmware to render any app they don't like non-functional. They could do that indirectly (by "accidentally" disabling the functionality of an existing app via an update) or directly (by maintaining an explicit blacklist) -- but the indirect approach is much more PR-friendly and therefore more likely.NetShare is an app written by NullRiver that is troublesome for Apple. It made it through the App Store vetting process, appeared for sale worldwide twice (and was pulled down twice), and was purchased by (likely) thousands of customers at $9.99. The application essentially turns the iPhone into a 3G or EDGE SOCKS proxy, allowing users to "tether" their laptop or desktop to the iPhone and use the carrier network as an internet connection. It's not truly a tethering app but it is close, likely the closest anyone will ever get to tethering with a non-jailbroken iPhone. This is (to AT&T) a blatant violation of AT&T's terms of service which prohibit tethering the iPhone and a potential loss of massive amounts of revenue. I think it would be interesting to see how a court would rule on whether the software is actually "tethering" or not. But the app put Apple in a precarious position with many of their carrier partners, so they pulled it off the App Store. At the same time, hundreds if not thousands of Apple's customers paid ten bucks for the app, so they have some skin in the game, too. Currently, the app is still not available for new purchases but it continues to function. We'll see if it continues to function after the next firmware release...

More info: http://www.macrumors.com/2008/08/08/netsha...-u-s-app-store/

To the first paragraph, it will be interesting to see if anyone takes them to court like they did with MS when they decided to do this back in the day. To the second, I remember the tethering issue...just didn't know the name of the app. I personally don't think that the app is the issue, rather the people KNOWINGLY breaking the license agreement they signed, but that's another thread. Thanks for the info

 

[DanFouts]

Finally jumped in this weekend. Not wanting to wait in line has been the delay for me.

Saturday, at 11am, only 2 people in line. In and out and switched from Sprint in 25 min. Got one for me and one for the wife.

Love it!!

Any site that reviews the apps besides itunes?

Also, looking for a better app than notes...something a la memo pad in the palm/treo? Like to keep lists (like frequent flier numbers, gym locker combo, etc) that are easy to access.....

Maybe this would be a good notes alternative? When it's released.Not sure on a good site for app reviews, but I'd be interested in knowing this as well.

Me too (on the app reviews).And why isn't "notes" any good?

I want ability to edit/save notes on desktop...maybe even password protect them ( I put bank info, membership numbers, etc)

 

[One]

Banking Firm HSBC Considering iPhone? More iPhone Sales Estimates

ZDNet Australia reports that banking "giant" HSBC is considering ditching the BlackBerry and switching over to the iPhone for its staff. HSBC has about 300,000 staff worldwide and this transition could result in 200,000 iPhone orders.

"We are actually reviewing iPhones from a HSBC Group perspective ... and when I say that, I mean globally," HSBC's Australia and New Zealand chief information officer Brenton Hush told ZDNet.com.au yesterday.

While Apple has not released official sales numbers for the iPhone 3G beyond the first weekend, analysts are predicting that Apple will sell at least 4.47 million iPhones this quarter. This estimate reportedly doesn't take into account Apple's international iPhone in 22 additional countries later this month.

LINK

 

[Abraham]

I messed around with my niece's Samsung Instinct the other day and decided I'm going to go to a touchscreen phone next. It's just too cool. So, my notion of getting a Curve is gone. THen I reviewed the Instinct and the iPhone and it appears the iPhone browser is significantly better of an experience. Toss in the app store and I'm sold. I wish the 3G version had the original form factor (so it would lay flat on a table) and had the silver back instead of black(which I will likely choose). Otherwise...can't wait to get one.