Apple That

A new exploit has recently surfaced in Apple’s iOS operating system for its mobile devices. The exploit itself allows users to gain access to an iPhone locked via passcode even if they have no idea what the passcode is. Obviously this is a huge defect in the programming as it makes having a passcode completely irrelevant.

The good news is that Apple is well on its way to releasing a patch for this exploit. According to a recent statement released by the company, “Apple takes user security very seriously. We are aware of this issue and will deliver a fix in a future software update.”

Unfortunately, Apple was unable to give a specific time frame on when users can expect the update and its subsequent fix of the exploit. In addition to that, the company also didn’t offer any information on a “quick fix” that would temporarily allow users to secure their iPhones until the update.

The hack, which was published a month ago by a user on YouTube, recently surfaced and opens up access to the iPhone, allowing the hacker to listen to the phone’s voicemails, make calls and view contact information. However, any attempt to go beyond that information will send the hacker back to the passcode screen.

The latest update to Apple’s iOS, v6.1.1, went live earlier this week but was only a supplemental update for iPhone 4S users and only fixed an issue with cellular connectivity and reliability. All other users have the ability to update to version 6.1, which adds 4G LTE support for more carriers on Apple devices as well as a feature that allows users to purchase movie tickets from Fandango after searching for them using Siri.

This is definitely a critical flaw in the iOS for Apple. The fact that an iPhone user’s device can be accessed to listen to voicemails, make calls and view contact information is something that most users will find unnerving. Apple’s best course of action is to deliver a fix as soon as possible on this issue.

On what is supposed to be a triumphant week for Apple with the release of their new flagship iPhone 5 and the updated iOS 6, there is one glaring problem that has many of Apple’s customers up in arms, the updated Maps app for iOS 6. Since the release of iOS 6 to the public on Wednesday, there has been criticism from all over the globe decrying Apple’s new mapping application, which takes the place of the standard Google Maps app that has existed on the iPhone from the very beginning.

The replacement of the standard Google Maps application by an app that was built and designed by Apple themselves is just another stage in the ever continuing war between Apple and Google for domination of the world’s mobile market. Apple, with this update to iOS, is attempting to cut as many ties to Google as possible, most notably with the new mapping application and the removal of the standard YouTube video app, which of course is owned by Google.

Much of the criticism of the new mapping application has been about missing locations, such as the Statue of Liberty, and the lack of public transit directions. While the new mapping application offers iOS users free, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation for the first time, a feature already included on android phones, it does not necessarily make up for the many omissions that exist. Part of the problem is the fact that Apple is relatively new to the “mapping game” and that compared to what is arguably the industry standard, they come up a bit short. Apple is confident however that the more people use the iOS 6 application, the better its mapping system will get, just as Google maps improved with millions of users’ input. In the meantime, however, customers of Apple’s popular mobile operating system are not pleased and are demanding Apple fix the problems that exist.

Ultimately it remains to be seen how Apple will update its new Maps application, and if it will indeed improve to the standard that Google Maps has set. It is rumored that Google may release a standalone app that, like they did with YouTube, may satisfy the needs of iOS users. While this will assuredly prolong the war between the two giant tech companies, it may satisfy the customer base that just wants to know where they are going.