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. 

Apple patent turns Touch ID into a trackpad

The Touch ID fingerprint sensor technology launched with the iPhone 5S has been receiving plenty of attention. Not too surprising, patents have started to emerge now related to the Touch ID technology. One such patent intend to use the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to create a form of trackpad through tracking the movements of a finger.

Source: Apple PCT/US2013/04188
Touch ID patent WIPO [www.wipo.int]

The Touch ID fingerprint technology launched with the iPhone 5S promised to change the way biometric information was used on smartphones. So far, the technology seems to have divided the users into two camps: those that love the Touch ID technology and those that are sceptical, mostly due to security and privacy concerns with Touch ID. However, Apple appears to be convinced that Touch ID contains revolutionary technologies that are worth to protect. 

Recently, an international patent application (PCT) under the reference PCT/US2013/04188 by Apple has been made public as it enters its final states of review. This patent application deals with means to use the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to act as a joystick as clearly indicated in the first claim of the patent application stating:

"1. A method, comprising:
at an electronic device with a fingerprint sensor and a display:
displaying, on the display, a first user interface;
while displaying the first user interface on the display, detecting movement of a fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor; and
in response to detecting movement of the fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor:
in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a first direction, navigating through the first user interface; and
in accordance with a determination that the movement of the fingerprint is in a second direction different from the first direction, displaying a second user interface different from the first user interface on the display."

iPad Air review: worth the upgrade vs old iPad models?

The iPad Air is significantly thinner than the previous iPad models and carries several upgrades and improvements compared to its predecessor, the iPad 4. This article reviews the most important features in the iPad Air which will be helpful for those considering an upgrade from a previous iPad model.

Img: http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkarakatsanis/

The iPad Air (iPad 5) is the successor of the iPad 4 and was released on November 1, 2013. As with every new iPad generation, several upgrades and improvements are made, most which will be found under the hood. For the iPad Air, just as the name suggests, it is significantly thinner and lighter than the previous iPad models. However, the improvements on the hardware should not be neglected either.

For those that already own an iPad model, a clear question is if upgrading to the new iPad Air is worth it. Depending on the individual user preferences, the answer will certainly vary. This article aims to review some of the most significant upgrades and improvements made to the iPad Air that can be useful to decide if the iPad Air is worth the upgrade.

Smartphone security exploits caused by manufacturers

With smartphones becoming more advanced, concerns of security risks and exploits also increases. A recent study by North Carolina State University shows that most security risks are actually caused by the smartphone manufacturers and not the core operating system.

Smartphones are becoming increasingly popular penetrating more and more in the cell phone market. Similarly, smartphones are also becoming very sophisticated with advanced operating systems underneath. Currently the Apple iOS and the Google Android operating system clearly dominates the market. Apple iOS can only be used on Apple iDevices and has so far managed to keep the security rather tight. However, Google Android is used by multiple smartphone manufacturers due to its open-source and license nature. This results in the, so called, Android fragmentation issue. With Google Android having a market share of approximately 80%, it is therefore also a highly attractive platform for hackers and malicious users to attack.

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 censors iOS 7 wifi problem discussions in forum

iOS 7 brought many good changes but also some bugs. One such bug causes some users who upgrade to iOS 7 to completely lose wifi functionality on their phones. However, Apple apparently wants to pretend that there is no problem and even censors forum posts concerning the issue.

New major releases and changes of most software always introduces bugs. Usually, such introduced bugs and quirks are nothing to be ashamed of and the developers are quick to release fixes and communicate the issues with the users. Apparently, Apple is having some problems with this common practice that is seen as respect and courtesy to the users.

As reported previously, some users are having wifi problems after upgrading to iOS 7. iPhone 4S users seem to constitute the largest group of users experiencing problems, with some reporting wifi becoming completely useless, regardless of the strength of the wifi signal. However, when the users report on the wifi problems in the forums, Apple apparently deliberately censors (removes) posts with fixes and answers that suggest the users to claim a new phone through the warranty program. 

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.

Touch ID security more elaborate than we thought?

The security of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5S has been a controversial topic with plenty of discussions around it. New data, however, reveal that Apple may have paid more attention to secure the technology than what was initially thought by locking each Touch ID sensor with one single A7-CPU.

When the iPhone 5S was launched, one of its main features was the incorporated fingerprint reader technology known as Touch ID. Using Touch ID, the users could, for example, unlock the phone and approve app purchases in the App Store. However, the security of the Touch ID fingerprint sensor has been a very controversial topic. Apple claims that the fingerprint data is stored locally on the phone inside the A7 CPU securely with no possibilities to retrieve it remotely. However, for privacy concerned users who have to take Apple's word for it, this is not enough. In addition, the security itself offered by the Touch ID is questionable and the Touch ID itself is relatively easily bypassed through the use of fake fingerprints (provided that this is done within the Touch ID active period of course). 

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!

iPad 2 still the most popular iPad model

Apple is expected to very soon launch new iPad and iPad Mini models. However, recent analysis shows that even though at present iPad 4 is the newest model, the more than 2 years old iPad 2 model is still by far the most popular model used today.

The iPad has really opened up the tablet market and at present the iPad 4 is the newest model with the release of the iPad 5 just around the corner. Considering the multiple iPad models on the market today, Localytics has recently conducted a survey on the usage statistics of iPad models.

The data by Localytics showed that iPad 2 is by far the most popular iPad model active today and used by 38% of the users. The iPad 2 was released on March, 2011, and is today considered to be somewhat outdated, but apparently still remains very popular.

iPhone users most satisifed

A recent survey by J.D. Power and Associates once again shows that the iPhone users are the most satisfied compared to other smartphone brands.

Every year J.D Power and Associates conduct a survey to measure the satisfaction index of American consumers related to their cell phones. The results from this year once again places Apple on the top. For the fifth year in a row, Apple manages to score the top rankings in the satisfaction index with a score of 865 out of 1000 points. The closest runner up was Nokia which scored 16 points less than Apple followed by Samsung which scored 17 points less.

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. 

iOS used on 70% of the iDevices: proof that iOS 7 is good?

Recent data show that the adaptation and upgrade to iOS 7 happens very rapidly. Only one month after its release, iOS 7 is already on 7 out of 10 active iDevices.

iOS 7 was released on September 18, 2013 and despite the iOS 7 security issues and the early iOS 7 bugs, users seem to upgrade and adapt to it extremely fast. Recent data from Mixpanel show that 71% of the users already have upgraded their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to iOS 7. Furthermore, the data shows that the user share of iOS 6 is down to 25.34% and for iOS 5 or older versions, the user share is as low as 3.66%.

Considering that there are approximately 350 million iDevices in use today, a 71% usage share would mean that iOS 7 is used on approximately 250 million iDevices. 

Apps crash twice as often on iPhone 5S

The new hardware in the iPhone 5S causes apps to crash twice as often as compared to iPhone 5 or iPhone 5C. 

According to a new study by Crittercism, the probability of an app to crash on an iPhone 5S is twice as high as compared to the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C. The iOS 7 system is not to blame this time though and the proneness to crashes is instead attributed to the new hardware in the iPhone 5S, primarily being the new 64-bit CPU (Apple A7) and the motion-sensor-processor (M7). 

Final Fantasy VI for iOS and Android coming!

Final Fantasy VI (formerly known as III) for iOS and Android has been announced by Square Enix and will be released sometime during this winter.

Final Fantasy VI (previously known as Final Fantasy III in the North American market) is considered one of the greatest video games of all time and the SNES and PlayStation versions have almost 3.5 million copies worldwide since its release in 1994. Now, Square Enix has announced that the game is in the progress of being ported and released on the iOS and Android systems (sorry Windows Phone)!

The exact release date has not been set, but the game will be available sometime during this winter. The game will also feature improvements in graphics and the combat system. For the latter, apparently, the number of battles will be decreased somewhat. 

iPhone 4S wifi problems in iOS 7

The iOS 7 carries a huge amount of changes to the iOS environment and has been plagued by numerous of bugs and security issues since its launch. Now, another issue has been revealed which affects iPhone 4S users. Many iPhone 4S users have reported that they are having trouble using wifi following an upgrade to iOS 7 on their phones.

iOS 7 while being the largest change to the iOS interface, ever, also has been plagued by several issues since it was first released. It has been plagued by security issues that allowed intruders to bypass the lock screen and also carries some problems with iMessage that can render the messaging system useless for some users. Now, another issue related to wifi has emerged for iPhone 4S users.

iPhone 4S users who have upgraded to iOS 7 report that the wifi functionality on their phones is not working properly. First of all, connection to wifi networks is troublesome and only works occasionally. What makes matter worse is that for some users, the wifi symbol is not even present in the iOS 7 settings.

Fastest tablet response times for iPad monitors

The monitor in a tablets is of extremely high importance to ensure good user experience. Agawi has recently tested the response times for flagship tablets and found that Apple iPads have the fastest monitors with the lowest response times.

For computer monitors, response times down to a few ms are not very difficult to find and even budget monitors can easily provide response times of only a few tens of ms. However, for tablets, the response times are generally much longer due to the feed-back system from the touch-screen mechanisms. Since the monitor of a tablet is the major central part, a lot of emphasis has been placed by the manufacturers to make bright monitors with high resolution as well as good color representations. While these things can immediately be assessed by anyone who has seen the tablet, the response time is something which can only be assessed by using the tablet, therefore, this is also one aspect that many manufacturers neglect.