Tech Geek and More
Technology Explained for All
Apple: (From Gizmodo) Apple Security Breach Gives Complete Access to Your iPhone (ALERT)
Aug 3rd
Gizmodo is reporting that a new vulnerability has been found that affects iPhone, iPod, and iPads
From Gizmodo –
Right now, if you visit a web page and load a simple PDF file, you may give total control of your iPhone, iPod touch (http://gizmodo NULL.com/tag/ipodtouch/), or iPad to a hacker. The security bug affects all devices running iOS 3.1.2 and higher.
Update: Initially we thought that this exploit only effected iOS4 devices, but it turns out all iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads running 3.1.2 and higher are susceptible.
The vulnerability is easily exploitable. In fact, the latest one-click, no-computer-required Jailbreak solution for iOS 4 devices (http://gizmodo NULL.com/5601874/jailbreakme-20-jailbreaks-all-apple-ios-40-401-and-321-devices) uses this same method to break Apple’s own security (although in a completely benign way for the user).
The result is that, without any user intervention whatsoever, that program can do whatever it wants inside your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Anything you can imagine: Delete files, transmit files, install programs running on the background that can monitor your actions… anything can be done.
The short answer to this issue is that you need to be careful and not click on any links to PDFs on your iPhone, iPod, or iPad until Apple releases an update to this issue.
The complete post can be found on the Gizmodo site (LINK:) http://gizmodo.com/5603319/ (http://gizmodo NULL.com/5603319/)
Sprint: The EVO 4G’s are getting the OFFICIAL Android 2.2 update (froyo) starting as of Aug 3rd. (Or tomorrow 7/30 if you want to manually update your EVO)
Aug 2nd
*****8/2/2010 UPDATE – UPDATE IS HERE************
To my fellow EVO users –
To those who want to install the Froyo 2.2 update, as of 9:15 pm (EST) it is now available directly from your phone. Customers can access the software update through their HTC EVO 4G under the Settings Menu > System Updates > HTC Software Update. This will initiate the three-step process also.
*****7/30/ 2010 UPDATE******************************
As of 5p it seems that the update has yet to be released for those who are looking at updating early. Latest Report was that the update was going to be ready after 12p CST and that it would be available at some point during the afternoon/evening Friday. Ill update as soon as I can get more details.
****************************************************
Based on an announcement on the Sprint Community Blog (LINK: http://community.sprint.com/baw/community/sprintblogs/buzz-by-sprint/announcements/blog/2010/07/29/sprint-is-the-first-wireless-carrier-to-bring-android-22-to-customers-using-the-award-winning-htc-evo-4g-beginning-tuesday-aug-3 (http://community NULL.sprint NULL.com/baw/community/sprintblogs/buzz-by-sprint/announcements/blog/2010/07/29/sprint-is-the-first-wireless-carrier-to-bring-android-22-to-customers-using-the-award-winning-htc-evo-4g-beginning-tuesday-aug-3)), the EVO will be getting its froyo update in the next couple of days. As of now the announcement says that the froyo (2.2) update for Android will be available as of 12p (CST) tomorrow 7/30 for download if you want to manually update the phone yourself (This is a nice touch on Sprints part for those who just don’t want to wait) and as of Aug. 3rd Sprint will begin (OTA) over the air updates to the EVO Devices.
Froyo which is the latest (and very highly awaited) update to the Android operating system, will carry numerous updates and new features as part of its update.
Some of the changes are -
For those who just can’t wait until the Froyo OTA update, you can manually trigger the download (As of 12p CST on 7/30) by doing the following
Customers can access the software update through their HTC EVO 4G under the Settings Menu > System Updates > HTC Software Update. This will initiate the three-step process also.
Travel: Top 5 Costly Mistakes for Online Travel Bookings
Jul 30th
I’ve had a number of people recently ask me for help with online bookings, for some reason I.T. guys can also double up as travel agents……(Just kidding). With that being said, one of the fox TV stations had a story about the top 5 mistakes one can make when trying to book online.
Since this is Tech Geek and More, I guess the following (Courtesy of Fox 29 in Philadelphia) can be said covers for the More part of our site.
From Tech and Life: What would happen to your online accounts if you died tomorrow?
Jul 29th
The following is an part of a post from Tech and Life (Friend of TGM Site), concerning what happens with your digital identity once you die. We think of so many things as we get older (Will’s, Life Insurance, etc) but in this generation where technology rules our lives, how many of us really think about our digital identities. Unfortunately this topic came up as my friend at Tech and Life had a loss in the family.
*** From TGM to Tech and Life – I am sorry for your and your families loss***
The link at the bottom will take you to the complete post with some very interesting information about various aspects of ones digital life.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************
(http://www NULL.techandlife NULL.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Roysfuneral NULL.jpg)
A recent family bereavement got me thinking. What would happen to this blog and all my online accounts if I died tomorrow? I hadn’t really given it much thought before and I’m sure many of you are in the same boat. It’s hard enough to cope with a family bereavement let alone sit down and try and sort out someone’s online accounts so we really should give our loved ones as much help as we can to cover this unfortunate possibility. As it stands, I’m sure my wife would be completely at a loss to know where to start with my online life. Not surprising really as she doesn’t know which online accounts I have! So let’s have a look and see if there’s anything we can do to help deal with our virtual life in the event of our actual death.
The complete post can be found here (LINK) http://www.techandlife.com/2010/07/what-would-happen-to-your-online-accounts-if-you-died-tomorrow/ (http://www NULL.techandlife NULL.com/2010/07/what-would-happen-to-your-online-accounts-if-you-died-tomorrow/)
Apple: Possible fix for iPhone 3G(S) that run slow or have issues after upgrading the phone to iOS4
Jul 29th
Virtually everyone is aware of the “Antennagate” issues with the iPhone 4, however there have also been reported issues for those using iPhone 3G/3GS models that upgrade to the iOS4 software. The issues appear to be everything from shortened battery life, to very slow performance of the phone (making it unusable, to random reboots of the phone. With all the attention to the antenna issues, these other issues haven’t gotten as much attention until now. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is now conducting a probe concerning complaints about these issues (LINK: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/07/28/apple-investigates-reports-of-problems-with-ios4-on-iphone-3g/ (http://blogs NULL.wsj NULL.com/digits/2010/07/28/apple-investigates-reports-of-problems-with-ios4-on-iphone-3g/) )
With all that being said, it now seems that a member of the tech site Neowin (http://www.Neowin.net (http://www NULL.Neowin NULL.net)) by the name of NathanMillson (http://www NULL.neowin NULL.net/forum/?showuser=327910) may have just figured out the cause (At least one of them) and a simple solution that many have reported fixes the issues.
From Nathan’s Neowin post:
From my experience, I find if you go into Settings->General->Home Button->Spotlight Search-> Deselect every option. No more background indexing on iPhone 3G.
I haven’t had much performance issues after this…
If you find this solution works for you, post a response and TGM will make sure to let Nathan and Neowin know.
Apple: iPhone 4 FREE Case Program
Jul 24th
With all the talk since the release of the iPhone 4 about the signal issues, Apple announced a few days ago that the solution will be a FREE Case for all iPhone users who purchase an iPhone before Sep. 30th, 2010. Apple has now set up a page on the Apple site with information for getting your FREE case if you are an iPhone 4 user.
By visiting (LINK) http://www.apple.com/iphone/case-program/ (http://www NULL.apple NULL.com/iphone/case-program/) , you will see the steps required to get your free case.
Keep in mind that you can expect to wait 3 to 5 weeks once you place your order. In addition, note the bottom of the page that the rules for those who purchased before July 23rd, must apply by Aug. 22nd.
(http://www
