Apple Event, August 07 2007: Rumors and Predictions

Apple is set to hold an event at their Cupertino Campus tomorrow (08.07.2007). Many Tech and Apple oriented site speculate what Apple might announce. Apple themselves said that August 7th announcement will be a “Mac related” one. So far, the rumor-mill are pointing out to new and thinner Aluminum iMac line.

“Full-featured, but not full-sized!”

Based on the information that I’ve got from a totally imaginary Apple employee (*wink-wink* – take that Steve Jobs! Go ahead and try finding out the leak source), the upcoming Mac related products are:

.Mac Upgrade
First off, it was first mentioned on Leo Laporte’s “The Tech Guy” Radio Show chat-room on Sunday August 5th, 2007. Unfortunately Leo Laporte no longer provides the transcript to the chat for a while now. The supposed upgrade to .Mac includes the following (may include some fake info):

  • Server level spam filter and virus scanner.
  • Storage increase.
  • Support for the iPhone.
  • Support for Windows users. .Mac no longer requires Mac OS X, but
  • Exclusive features available only Mac OS X.
  • Special features only available for Mac OS X Leopard (and beyond).

New Mac Model
Not sure what that means. Does this refer to iMac, MacBook (Pro), Mac mini, or a completely new category? All that I heard was “New Mac Model”, and still I wonder.

Mac OS X for PC (This one is unlikely)
Mac OS X is finally sold for non-Mac. Albeit this might be what many have wanted for a long time. It seems unlikely for Apple to so without cannibalizing their own Mac hardware market.

Other
iLife, iWork, etc.

Remember, these are rumors. We’ll see what Uncle Steve will reveal on Tuesday.

Apple Releases iPhone Software Version 1.0.1

Apple has released iPhone Software Version 1.0.1 that includes some bug fixes.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306173

iPhone v1.0.1 Update

  • Safari
    CVE-ID: CVE-2007-2400
    Available for: iPhone v1.0
    Impact: Visiting a malicious website may allow cross-site scripting
    Description: Safari’s security model prevents JavaScript in remote web pages from modifying pages outside of their domain. A race condition in page updating combined with HTTP redirection may allow JavaScript from one page to modify a redirected page. This could allow cookies and pages to be read or arbitrarily modified. This update addresses the issue by correcting access control to window properties. Credit to Lawrence Lai, Stan Switzer, and Ed Rowe of Adobe Systems, Inc. for reporting this issue.
  • Safari
    CVE-ID: CVE-2007-3944
    Available for: iPhone v1.0
    Impact: Viewing a maliciously crafted web page may lead to arbitrary code execution
    Description: Heap buffer overflows exist in the Perl Compatible Regular Expressions (PCRE) library used by the JavaScript engine in Safari. By enticing a user to visit a maliciously crafted web page, an attacker may trigger the issue, which may lead to arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue by performing additional validation of JavaScript regular expressions. Credit to Charlie Miller and Jake Honoroff of Independent Security Evaluators for reporting these issues
  • WebCore
    CVE-ID: CVE-2007-2401
    Available for: iPhone v1.0
    Impact: Visiting a malicious website may allow cross-site requests
    Description: An HTTP injection issue exists in XMLHttpRequest when serializing headers into an HTTP request. By enticing a user to visit a maliciously crafted web page, an attacker could trigger a cross-site scripting issue. This update addresses the issue by performing additional validation of header parameters. Credit to Richard Moore of Westpoint Ltd. for reporting this issue.
  • WebKit
    CVE-ID: CVE-2007-3742
    Available for: iPhone v1.0
    Impact: Look-alike characters in a URL could be used to masquerade a website
    Description: The International Domain Name (IDN) support and Unicode fonts embedded in Safari could be used to create a URL which contains look-alike characters. These could be used in a malicious web site to direct the user to a spoofed site that visually appears to be a legitimate domain. This update addresses the issue by through an improved domain name validity check.
  • WebKit
    CVE-ID: CVE-2007-2399
    Available for: iPhone v1.0
    Impact: Visiting a maliciously crafted website may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution
    Description: An invalid type conversion when rendering frame sets could lead to memory corruption. Visiting a maliciously crafted web page may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution. Credit to Rhys Kidd of Westnet for reporting this issue.

Other Bug Fixes found:

  • VPN Client – No longer asking for “numerical-only” passwords when turned on

The update can be obtained through iTunes (7.3.x or higher required)
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305744
http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/

iPhone Sovtware Version 1.0.1

Apple iPhone: Rumor on The SDK

I was listening to TWiT Podcast (take that, Leo Laporte and your “netcast” term) for July 1st, 2007. Leo mentioned something that he later called as “maybe bogus” rumor regarding Apple iPhone SDK. Rephrasing what Leo said, Apple may already have an iPhone SDK for Mac OS X, but not for Windows platform.

Honestly, this might be true, even though we haven’t heard anything close to this rumor. Since the iPhone is running Mac OS X, one questions come to mind. Is it possible to develop an app for Mac OS X on Windows platform? Theoretically it might be possible, as long as Apple can provide the SDK.

Are there any Windows-based developers out there who want to write an app for the iPhone? I bet there are, and many of them wouldn’t want to buy a Mac just to develop some simple apps for the iPhone.

In a way, I understand how Apple wants to control the iPhone experience. The one thing I personally do not want is to have my iPhone crashing because of some apps I installed.

We’ll see how this will go in a few months.

Anyway, there are a few things I “overheard” regarding the iPhone and Mac OS X Leopard. I’d go through them and see if they are making any sense at all.

That Phone That Apple Made

Apparently Apple made some kind of Mobile Phone.

Anyway, I heard that it was equally loved and hated by the early adopters.

For example, my friend didn’t like the way the iPhone syncs with iTunes. The iTunes won’t let you drag any song to the iPhone, as it requires playlists.

From what I heard, the iPhone Activation was a breeze for existing Cingular/AT&T customers. As for switchers, they might have slight resistance from their current providers (Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, …….). Honestly it is somewhat expected, they don’t want their customers to switch.
If I’m not lazy, I’d write more here. I’ll update this entry later.

Hurricane iPhone™ Watch: iPhone Activation and Monthly Plan Details

Tuesday, June 26th, 2007.

In less than four days, the Hurricane iPhone™ will hit the United States. Apple and AT&T have released more details regarding the approaching Hurricane iPhone™.

Pricing & Availability
iPhone goes on sale at 6:00 p.m. (local time) on Friday, June 29 and will be sold in the US through Apple’s retail and online stores and AT&T retail stores. iPhone will be available in a 4GB model for $499 (US) and an 8GB model for $599 (US), and will work with either a PC or Mac®. All iPhone monthly service plans are available for individuals and families and are based on a new two-year service agreement with AT&T. Individual plans are priced at $59.99 for 450 minutes, $79.99 for 900 minutes and $99.99 for 1,350 minutes. All plans include unlimited data (email and web), Visual Voicemail, 200 SMS text messages, roll over minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile and a one-time activation fee of $36. Family plans are also available.

Activation & Sync
iPhone™ users will be able to activate their new iPhones using Apple’s popular iTunes® software running on a PC or Mac® computer in the comfort and privacy of their own home or office, without having to wait in a store while their phone is activated. Activating iPhone takes only minutes as iTunes guides the user through simple steps to choose their service plan, authorize their credit and activate their iPhone. Once iPhone is activated, users can then easily sync all of their phone numbers and other contact information, calendars, email accounts, web browser bookmarks, music, photos, podcasts, TV shows and movies just like they do when they sync their iPods with iTunes.

iPhone Rate Plan:

Individual Plan per month with 2 year contract includes:

  • Unlimited Data (Email/Web)
  • Visual Voicemail
  • 200 SMS Text Messages
  • Rollover® Minutes
  • Unlimited Mobile to Mobile

$59.99 plan includes 450 Anytime Minutes and 5000 Night & Weekends Minutes.
$79.99 plan includes 900 Anytime Minutes and Unlimited Night & Weekends Minutes.
$99.99 plan includes 1350 Anytime Minutes and Unlimited Night & Weekends Minutes.

iPhone Plan - Individual

Family Plan per month with 2 year contract includes:

  • Unlimited Data (Email/Web)
  • Visual Voicemail
  • 200 SMS Text Messages
  • Rollover® Minutes
  • Unlimited Mobile to Mobile
  • Unlimited Nights & Weekend Minutes

$80.00 plan includes 700 Shared Anytime Minutes.
$100.00 plan includes 1400 Shared Anytime Minutes.
$120.00 plan includes 2100 Shared Anytime Minutes.

iPhone Plan - Family

Existing AT&T Wireless (formerly Cingular Wireless) customers can add the following data plan to their existing voice plan:

$20.00 plan includes 200 SMS Text Messages, Unlimited Data (Email/Web), and Visual Voicemail.
$30.00 plan includes 1500 SMS Text Messages, Unlimited Data (Email/Web), and Visual Voicemail.
$40.00 plan includes Unlimited SMS Text Messages, Unlimited Data (Email/Web), and Visual Voicemail.

iPhone Plan - Existing Customer

The Calm Before The iPhone Storm

Just a few days before Apple iPhone is going on sale, people just can’t stop talking about it. Many tech podcasts talk about, bash, drool at, etc. the iPhone.

Let’s see what’s happening this Friday, June the 29th, 2007.

Ratatouille
The latest movie from Pixar and Disney. Featuring the voice of Patton Oswalt. Oswalt is no stranger to animated movies and TV show. As a matter of fact, Oswalt is a regular on Reno 911!, both the TV series and the Movie.

OK, I got lazy here. I’ll update this post a bit later.