Hasta La Gadget!

One mobile pillar at a time, or so seems Microsoft’s approach to support for My Xbox LIVE. The app, previously available as a remote control perk for Windows Phone, Android and iPhone users, has just seen a 1.6 update that brings with it bug fixes for iOS, but more importantly, finally welcomes iPad owners into the fold. Owners of that Apple-made slate will now be able to navigate through their console’s stash of media, monitor recent activity and search for new content just like their smartphone-wielding counterparts. It’s live on the App Store right now, so hit up the source and get to downloading if you care.

Filed under: Gaming, Tablet PCs, Software

My Xbox LIVE app adds iPad support in 1.6 update originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earlier today, we finally got word from Skype concerning a bug that some users have been plagued with since June. The bug occasionally sends IMs between two contacts to an unintended third contact, which of course brings up some very valid concerns about privacy. Aside from saying that a fix will be rolled out within the next few days, Skype kept this morning’s statement on the bug brief, but this evening it’s being a little more specific about the bug, and it turns out its occurrence isn’t all that random.

Apparently, messages are only forwarded to a third contact when the Skype client crashes during a conversation. When that happens, the “last IM entered or sent prior to the crash” will then be sent off to that unintended third contact, which could result in a pretty dire situation if that most recent IM was about them. Hearing Skype describe it, the bug sounds like it isn’t necessarily unavoidable, but it also isn’t random, so at least there’s that.

In its updated statement, Skype also shared a list of which clients are impacted by this bug: Skype 5.9 and 5.10 for Windows, 5.8 for Mac, 4.0 for Linux, 4.0 for iOS, 2.8 for Android, and 1.2 for Windows Phone. If you’re using one of those clients, you’re instructed to download the latest client once you’re notified that an update is available, as that will likely include the fix you need to prevent this from happening again.

So, we’ve made a good bit of progress with this bug today. Not only does Skype say it’s working on a fix, but it also told us which specific clients are affected and what exactly needs to happen for the bug to rear its ugly head. Like we said this morning though, it’s still probably a good idea to choose your words carefully while we wait for this update, otherwise they might end up being seen by exactly the wrong person.

[via Skype]

Skype elaborates on instant message bug is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Last week there was a bit of break in Apple’s in-app purchasing rules with a Russian developer pushing a mechanism that bypassed in-place locks: this weekend, Apple fixed it up real nice. It appears that the developer, Alexey V Borodin, has had the server for his app blocked by Apple, while Apple also followed up with a takedown request on the original server, took down third-party authentication of it, and issued a copyright claim with the YouTube video used to document the method used to break the system. At the moment, the method itself is being reported as still working – just not through anything Borodin has made.

Apple did issue a statement on Friday on the issue, saying that “the security of the App Store is incredible important to us and the developer community. We take reports of fraudulent activity very seriously and we are investigating.” After Borodin claimed he’d had over 30,000 in-app payment requests, Apple cut his efforts down.

Borodin notes now that he’s working with an offshore country that will supposedly be able to evade Apple’s legal requests. His method currently requires that users still sign in to their iTunes account so that, as he says, “they don’t scream to the Internet that I am stealing their credentials.”

The reason Borodin is doing this remains ever so slightly unclear, though his evading of Apple’s restrictions on his methods may seem reason enough for a developer such as he. Borodin has said that he’s calling on Apple to place new blocks on its service or to adapt its APIs – though we’re pretty sure Apple isn’t going to be taking orders from what they consider a hacker, one way or another, any time soon.

[via The Next Web]

Apple in-app purchasing hack blocked in part is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The mapping scene has seen plenty of activity lately — what with Apple ditching Google to launch its own service while the latter continues to layer on improvements such as better walking directions and more Street View coverage for its maps. Now a new app called “Recce” is trying to elbow its way into the conversation by using a free, searchable 3D mapping system that not only serves up location-based services but also location-based games. Named after military slang for “reconnaissance,” Recce is the brainchild of former Psygnosis co-founder Ian Hetherington and Google engineering director Rian Liebenberg, who formed London-based developer eeGeo. The app works by pulling together a slew of data feeds from sources such as map providers and social networking services to provide an interactive 3D view of an area. It can also be used to update services like Twitter so your followers can know exactly where you were when you saw Justin Johnson, er, Bieber speeding away from the paparazzi in his chrome Fisker Karma. Do note that data is limited to central London at the moment, though San Francisco and New York are slated to get their 3D closeup next.

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Tablet PCs, Software

New Recce 3D map app offers location-based services and games, Sim City possibilities abound originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This weekend there’s been another set of details dropped on top of a very tiny image that shows what the top back of the device is set to look like. This next generation iPhone will have two glass panels on the back on top and bottom of a larger aluminum panel, with the glass panel at the top having a single LED flash and large lens for it’s back-facing camera.

This device image is certainly a prototype for the device that Macotakara says its sources are saying is near production. Manufacturing plans in China have been reported to be getting prepared for the start of production for the iPhone 5, and several leaks over the past couple of weeks have lent themselves to the same idea – that this device will be taller, but not fatter, than the previous iPhone models iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

This device has been said to have at least a dual-core processor (as the iPhone 4S does now with the A5 manufactured by Samsung) with many reports suggesting this next-generation architecture will feature four CPU cores instead. This device will also have a dock connector on its bottom that’s the first in the Apple mobile line not working with the 30-pin connectors that’ve been on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touches since the start.

Have a peek at the timeline below to see additional tips and leaks dealing with the iPhone 5 (or whatever it’ll end up being called) and stay tuned for more!

iPhone 5 back shows glass and aluminum panels is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.