iPhone: Repair black/white and corrupt photo thumbnails in camera roll

The iPhone camera roll photo thumbnail database can become broken and corrupt. This results in either black/white thumbnails and fully functional photos or functional thumbnails but black/white photos. Typically this happens when the users backup their iPhone camera roll photos to a computer without using iTunes, which is not even available for the popular Ubuntu/Debian/Fedora Linux distributions. The fix, which is described here, is to regenerate or repair the photo thumbnail database.

Everyone should ensure that they back up the photos on their phones from time to time. Whether this is done to the cloud or to their home computer, a working routine is extremely important to prevent irreparable damage if one loses the phone. For iPhone users, backup to iCloud of the camera roll photos can be easily set up, although in the long run this is not a sustainable solution due to the space limitations on the iPhone itself as well as on iCloud. Simply put, keeping all photos ever taken on your iPhone is not a sustainable solution. Therefore, users should occasionally backup their photos to a computer to free up the storage space of their iPhone as well as iCloud account.

The process of backing up the iPhone photos from the camera roll can be performed through iTunes, although many users find it slow, bloated and sluggish. For Linux users, such as the popular Ubuntu and Debian users, iTunes is not even available. Thus, the use of a file manager to transfer the data in the DCIM folders is preferred by many for its transparency, and effectiveness. Unfortunately, it has been shown that backing up photos in this way may corrupt the photo thumbnail database, causing it to lose its sync with the camera roll. This results in either non-existent (black/white) photos, or black/white thumbnails when the users attempts to access their iPhone photos. This tutorial shows how to fix and repair the camera roll photo thumbnail database.

Fix for iPhone not charging through USB on Ubuntu Linux

Connecting an iPhone/iPad/iPod to Ubuntu or a modern Linux system is usually a plug-and-play experience. However, with new iOS versions, sometimes the device simply fails to charge through USB even if it is recognized by the system. While rebooting Ubuntu solves the problem, it is actually possible to resolve the problem without a reboot.

The Ubuntu Linux distribution is certainly great in many aspects, although when it comes to supporting the newest iOS versions on Apple devices, the support is usually lagging behind and also buggy and lacking. Many users of the newer iOS versions have run into cases where they have plugged in their iPhone to their Ubuntu system with everything working smoothly, and all of a sudden (while the iPhone is plugged in), the iPhone simply cease to charge or become unreachable on Ubuntu. Rebooting the computer does bring the iPhone back to life, however, the problem is more easily solved if we understand it better. 

iOS 7.0.4 released: Summary changes in iOS 7.0.4

iOS 7.0.4 was released November 14, 2013 by Apple. This point release only carries minor changes and updates, summarized in this article.

Apple has been working very hard on improving the iOS system since its release and already within 2 months of the initial iOS 7.0.0 release the fourth point release has arrived. This time, however, the iOS 7.0.4 release brings very few changes and users who are affected by outstanding bugs may be disappointed. For example, the iOS 7 wifi problems are not fixed or mentioned in the release notes, something which Apple has deliberately kept quiet through censorship on their forums. Hopefully, outstanding bugs such as the above will be fixed in the next point release that should not be too far away.

The changes of this iOS 7.0.4 update for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices are summarized below, and anyone on iOS 7 should update their devices as soon as possible. Updating can be accomplished by either going to Settings -> General -> Software Update or through iTunes from a computer. As always, before updating the users should make sure that they have a full backup of their phone first!

iOS users prefer Apple Maps over Google Maps

Apple Maps replaced Google Maps iOS 6 and has had its great share of problems. Initially users flocked to Google Maps due to large inaccuracies with Apple Maps. However, now, it appears that most users are choosing Apple Maps over Google Maps.

When Apple Maps was released and replaced Google Maps as the default Maps app, users criticized it for being largely inaccurate and downright embarrassing in many contexts. As a result, users flocked to the competing Google Maps, even though initially the users had to use it through the Safari web browser. Now, however, it appears that Apple Maps has regained its lost users.

During the last year, the number of Google Maps users has decreased from 29 millions to 9 millions while Apple Maps has went from 10 millions to 35 millions, according to Comscore. These numbers show clearly that the users has given up Google Maps in favor of Apple Maps.

Apple's Report on Government Information Requests shows that 33% result in data disclosure

It is known that governments request information from various companies around the world. Now Apple has published a report on how it has handled the information requests by the governments around the world in the period of January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013.

More and more people store an increasing amount of personal information on their smartphones. When such smartphones are subsequently linked up to various cloud storage services, such as the Apple iCloud for Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices, all of the sudden, private companies will have a wealth of personal information about their users. Governments around the world of course knows this and therefore requests information from the companies in, so called, appropriate cases. The companies, subsequently may disclose personal information on their users if legal support exists.

Sapphire glass on future iPhones and iPads?

The screen on a modern smartphone or tablet is the most fragile component and cracked or broken screens have been seen by most people. Now Apple appears to intend to remedy the fragility of screens by introducing the super hard sapphire crystal glass instead of using the currently used Gorilla Glass.

Apple and many other smartphone manufacturers have so far been relying on Gorilla Glass to make scratch resistant and sturdy monitors. However, Gorilla Glass itself is definitely not unbreakable and there are plenty of devices out there with cracked or partially broken monitors. Now, it looks like Apple is going to take the next step through a partnership with GT Advanced Technologies Inc. who specializes in creating sapphire glass surfaces. According to GT Advanced Technologies Inc., the interest and investment by Apple should be considered as advanced payment for the development and production of the Advanced Sapphire Furnace factory, which can produce high-quality sapphire crystals at low costs.

Apple attacks Game Center cheaters

The top-scores of Game Center games have since the very beginning been plagued by impossible scores created by cheaters who in one way or the other manipulate the scores. Now, Apple has decided to do something about it and has given the developers the tools to ban cheaters from Game Center top-score-lists.

The Game Center in iOS has many functions such as allowing multi-player modes but also allows users to upload their top scores and achievements and be ranked among other Game Center players. However, so far, the top rankings of the Game Center for almost all games have very clearly been occupied by cheaters with impossible scores and no-one has been able to do anything about it. This has changed now, and Apple has now given registered developers the power and tools to block and ban users who cheat from the top score lists. 

iOS 7.0.3 released: Summary of the highlights and changes of iOS 7.0.3

On October 22, 2013, Apple released iOS 7.0.3 update for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices together with the introduction of the iPad Air and iPad Mini 2. This new point release fixes multiple bugs and adds new features to the iOS system as described below.

The initial iOS 7.0.0 was released on September 18, 2013, and only one month later, Apple is pushing out the third point release update, being the iOS 7.0.3. The iOS 7.0.3 update carries multiple outstanding and annoying bug fixes as well as a more severe lock screen bypass exploit fix. In addition, the iOS 7.0.3 update also introduces the long-awaited iCloud Keychain feature as well as a few more subtle new features. 

The changes of this important iOS 7.0.3 point release is summarized below, and anyone on iOS 7 should update their devices as soon as possible. Updating can be accomplished by either going to Settings -> General -> Software Update or through iTunes from a computer. As always, before updating the users should make sure that they have a full backup of their phone first!

iMessage security encryption easily cracked

Apple claims that iMessage uses encryption that is impossible to crack. However, a security researcher now states that this is a pure lie and that Apple can easily eavesdrop on any user they like due to the design of iMessage.

At the security research conference, Hack in the Box, in Malaysia, the security research firm, Quarkslab, has presented some results concerning the security of the Apple iMessage system. Apple has since its release claimed that the encryption system used by iMessage is impossible to crack and still withholds this stance. However, Cyril Cattiaux at Quarkslab has now studied the implementation of iMessage and states that the Apple iMessage encryption system is very easily cracked and any messages transmitted using it can easily be intercepted and decrypted. 

Human owner of Siri's voice identified

Siri is the intelligent personal assistant that Apple launched in 2011 with iPhone 4S and most people have probably at some point heard Siri's voice. Now, the real human owner of Siri's voice has stepped forward and revealed her identify.

The appealing and calm voice of Siri that has been incorporated in all iDevices since 2011 is one of the more iconic things about Apple devices. Although many have wondered who the human owner of Siri is, Apple has not revealed any such information. Now, a woman called Susan Bennett has stepped forward and revealed to CNN that Siri's voice is based on recordings of her voice.

Apple has so far not confirmed the claims of Susan Bennett, and it is unlikely that Apple would ever do it, however, audio experts hired by CNN have analyzed her voice and claim that there is a 100% match between Siri's and Susan Bennet's voice. 

How to fix broken iMessage in iOS 7

Apple iOS 7 users have reported that iMessage has stopped to work properly. While awaiting an official fix by Apple, fortunately, it is relatively easy to restore the iMessage functionality.

The recently released iOS 7 carries the largest changes made, ever, for the iOS system. Considering the major changes made by iOS 7, it is not overly surprising to find bugs. Already, Apple has released the second point release, iOS 7.0.2, which fixes some security bugs. However, one outstanding bug that plagues users who upgrades to iOS 7 involves iMessage. 

Users claim that following an upgrade, iMessage magically stops to work. The situation is made worse by the fact that the failed iMessage messages are not sent as standard SMS text messages either, resulting in frustration and many dropped text conversations. Fortunately, fixing the iMessage issue is relatively easy while awaiting an official fix by Apple. The only downside with this approach is that the process will involve an authentication step by the phone that may incur international text message charges since the iPhone needs to send an authentication SMS text message to an Apple server. 

iOS 7 download forced onto users

iOS 7 downloads itself in the background regardless of user preferences and explains the large number of users who all of the sudden are starting to run out of storage memory.

iOS 7 which was first released September 18, 2013, has today already released two point releases with the most current one being iOS 7.0.2 released September 26, 2013. iOS 7 has really split its users up to a love camp and a hate camp with the haters definitely wanting to hold off the upgrade for as long as they can.

However, now it appears that Apple has decided to force iOS 7 onto all users. During the last days, a lot of users have reported that they are running out of storage memory for no apparent reason. After some investigation, it appears that iOS 7 is forcing itself to download onto the user devices in the background. Considering that the upgrade file is 3.3 GB large, it is of no wonder that users are all of the sudden experiencing a shortage of storage memory. What makes matter worse is that there exist no way to remove the downloaded files without actually having to install the upgrade.

iOS 7.0.2 released: changes and highlights

iOS 7.0.2 was released on September 26, 2013, and the changes include a bug fix for the security bug that could be used to bypass the lock screen.

Apple released iOS 7 on September 18, 2013. iOS 7 is said to be the single largest change to the iOS system since it was initially released in 2008 with the original iPhone. Given its huge number of changes, it is not surprising that there have sneaked in bugs in the iOS release. Among more serious bugs are security loopholes that allows a hacker to bypass the lock screen and gain access to photos to share them in e-mails and social media. Also, it was just recently demonstrated that it is possible to place regular phone calls without unlocking the phone.

Fake iOS 7 ad claims to make iPhones waterproof

An unknown number of people have immersed their iPhones in water following a fake iOS 7 ad claiming that the new iOS version will make the iPhones waterproof.

Screenshot of the fake ad, source unidentified.

A fake iOS 7 ad has started to spread. In the ad, it is claimed that an update to iOS 7 will make iDevices water proof due to some intelligence within iOS 7 that will shut down the device if it detects water to prevent damage. In addition, it is claimed that the waterproofing is covered by Apple's warranty policy. Needless to say, the advertisement is fake and anyone exposing their iPhones, iPods or iPads to water will definitely end up with a dead device that certainly is not covered by any Apple warranty.

iBeacons used to activate Apple TV by touch

iBeacons is a new feature in iOS 7 which uses Bluetooth to measure the distance between two units. Now, it appears that the first practical application for it is to active an Apple TV simply by touching it with an iPhone.

iOS 7 provides a lot of new features for its users. One feature is known as iBeacons which uses Bluetooth to measure the distance between two units. The principle is based on setting one devices up as a beacon, which would actively measure the distance to Bluetooth-enabled units in the proximity. This idea has many similarities to the NFC technique that is used by most other smartphones and also smartwatches.

Apple has envisaged the iBeacons to be used as a way for users to, for example, pay for certain goods in supermarkets or other public places, in a similar fashion that NFC is used. However, now, the first practical use of iBeacons has been demonstrated through Apple TV.

Google makes Quickoffice a free app

Quickoffice which is one of the most competent office suites for smartphones and tablets has now become a free app following an initiative by Google.

Image src: www.flickr.com/photos/sigalakos/

Quickoffice which by many is considered to be one of the best and competent office suites for smartphones and tablets was acquired by Google in June 2012. Google has recently announced that a new version of Quickoffice has been released that is free-of-charge for all users. In addition, 15 GB of storage space is also given to the users for free during a 2-year period. 

App Store now offers older app versions

Apple has finally introduced the possibility to install an older version of an app which solves a lot of iOS version incompatibilities of new or updated apps following the release of a new iOS version.

Since Apple App store was launched an intrinsic "feature" of it is that it only allows users to download and install the newest version of a given app with no way to downgrade to an older version. While most users could live without the possibility to downgrade, a major problem arises when new iOS versions are released. Historically, older iDevices that do not support the new iOS version will eventually not be able to run most apps as they are missing some newer iOS developer functions.

Apple shuts down the postcard Cards app

iDevices such as iPhones, iPod Touch and iPads have been used for to send physical postcards through the use of the Cards app, which Apple recently has shut down and cancelled.

Apple has decided to cancel the Cards app which allowed users to send a physical postcard to an address based on a photo on the iOS device. 

The Cards app itself was launched almost 2 years ago, and based on this decision, this service has likely been less than successful for Apple. The primary reason for this is probably that the cost was quite high for sending a post card. Using the Cards app, the users had to pay $6 to send a postcard, which simply does not make much sense for most people who may just as well send the photo through e-mail, iMessage, other instant messaging apps or simply MMS.

Apple acquires another map company

Apple is investing a lot of efforts in improving its Maps app after receiving massive critique since it was launched. Today, Apple confirms that it has acquired the company Embark which specializes in public transportation for maps.

The default maps app on iOS devices has been Google Maps until iOS 6 was released last year. iOS 6 instead used Apple's own Maps app. Unfortunately, the Maps app was down right terrible and was largely inaccurate, buggy and useless in particular for users from outside of the US. Since the release, Apple has acknowledged the problem and has spent considerable amounts of efforts and time to improve and remedy the Maps app. 

How to turn off in-app purchases on iOS and Android devices

This guide shows how to disable in-app purchases on iPhone, iPad, iPod and Android devices which will prevent accidental, impulse and other unwanted purchases.

There are countless of articles about parents who have had their credit cards billed by enormous amounts due to in-app purchases made by children. Even disregarding children, it is definitely worthwhile to consider to disable in-app purchases for the sake of preventing accidental purchases while inside of a game/app or simply preventing unjustified impulse purchases.

These days, the situation is even more dangerous and annoying as apps have a tendency to include pop-ups which upon pressed will either engage in-app purchases or take you to the corresponding app store.

Fortunately, it is easy to turn off in-app purchases on both iOS devices and Android devices as will be shown in this tutorial.