Hasta La Gadget!

The latest iOS update has certainly seen its fair share of bugs and vulnerabilities. First, there were problems with users connecting to and syncing with Microsoft Exchange servers, and now there’s the lockscreen exploit that allows people to dig into your contacts and photos. However, it’s rumored that an update to fix these issues will come as early as next week.

According to German website iPhone-Ticker, Apple is preparing to release iOS 6.1.2 sometime early next week to address the bugs and other issues that they said they would be fixing, but the German site is claiming that the update will land sometime before February 21, according to the information it has received from various carriers.

While we’re taking this with a grain of salt, it certainly makes sense that Apple is planning to push out a quick update soon, and iPhone-Ticker even ended up accurately predicting the launch of iOS 6.1.1 through its same sources earlier this month. So if the same holds true, we should be seeing yet another small update head our way next week.

Perhaps the bug that got the most attention was the lockscreen vulnerability that, with a few clever tap moves, allows breachers access to the owner’s contacts and any personal information that the owner has for each contact. Plus, by editing a contact and changing the contact’s picture, you can access all of the owner’s photos in their library.

[via 9to5Mac]

iOS 6.1.2 rumored for next week to fix lockscreen and Exchange bugs is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Today is Patch Tuesday, and Microsoft has released a slew of fixes to security vulnerabilities. A total of 57 security issues were dealt with this time around, all of which were pushed out through 12 different updates, five of which were critical. The updates were applied to a range of Microsoft products, including Windows and Internet Explorer.

One of the most important patches pushed through is for Internet Explorer, addressing a vulnerability with an ActiveX DLL. This vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild, and so it has been bestowed with the Critical rating. For this reason, users should install the Internet Explorer updates as soon as possible to avoid possible attack via the vulnerability.

Another critical update has to do with Windows’ Object Linking and Embedding Automation, which is also subject to exploitation without the updates. Says Microsoft, this vulnerability puts servers and workstations most at risk, especially if those workstations allow multiple user logins that have authorization to run programs.

Other critical updates concern Windows itself and Exchange Server. Exchange Sever has several issues addressed with the updates, one vulnerability of which has to do with the product’s WebReady Document Viewing. The Windows issue being addressed, meanwhile, concerns an issue with DirectShow that leaves the system open to attack.

[via eWeek]

Microsoft addresses 57 security vulnerabilities this Patch Tuesday is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Fitbit, one of the more popular fitness tracking platforms, has updated its Android app with a couple of new features that users will definitely want to take advantage of. The new app now supports Bluetooth 4.0, for which wireless syncing capabilities are now possible. It’s a feature that’s still in beta mode, however, and only supports a handful of devices so far, specifically only the Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II.

To get wireless syncing up and running, all you need to do is tick the “Background Sync” option in Settings. From there, you’ll no longer need your computer to sync, which is something that many developers are moving towards as we slowly transition to being a post-PC world. The improved Bluetooth support is also said to cut down on battery life a bit, something that is certainly always welcome.

Aside from the wireless syncing, the update also comes with push notifications, as well as a new distance meter on the dashboard. You now also have the ability to create and edit silent alarms. It seems like the update is a good one for Fitbit users, but again, you’ll have to have a Galaxy S III or Note II in order to update.

As for other Android device owners, we’re not sure when Fitbit will begin to support more devices with this new update, but they say that further compatibility will be “available shortly.” In the meantime, Start saying goodbye to the old ways of syncing, because soon you won’t need your computer for it any longer.

[via Android Community]

Fitbit for Android updates with Bluetooth 4.0 support and wireless sync is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Today Skype released an update for the iPhone and iPad, both of which are getting some exclusive new features. Both devices now have automatic call recovery, meaning that dropped calls will result in an automatic redialing right away. There’s also a fix to IM conversations, that make them appear in the correct order this time around, and finally a new opt-in/out selector when registering in the app.

The iPhone version of the app now features emergency call routing right through the native dialer, and on the iPad, there’s an improved UI that allows for a “simple swipe from the left of the screen to see your recent conversations in a sidebar.” Plus, there’s improved spacing and minor UI changes for the iPad mini.

Another new feature of the iPad version is the ability to add money to your Skype account from within the iPad app. This is mostly useful for those who don’t really access Skype on their computer and want the iPad app to be fully-featured. However, this new feature is limited to only Estonia, France, Sweden, the UK, and the US for now.

Other than that, there were plenty of bugfixes in the update as well. These included incorrect timestamps, calls not ending, etc. Overall, the app should run a lot smoother now. Sadly, the Android version of Skype has not been updated with these features, but it just may be a matter of time before the dev team gets around to it.

Skype for iOS updates with automatic call recovery, IM improvements is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

When Twitter released its Vine app a couple of weeks ago, needless to say we were intrigued by the concept. However, the app quickly became plagued with a porn problem that got a majority of people all up in a tizz. However, Twitter has released an update for the app today that implements a 17+ age rating, as well as a reporting system for reporting inappropriate content.

The update arrives after a wave of controversy slammed Vine over adult content, and the app was even featured in the “Editor’s Choice” section of the iTunes App Store before it eventually was removed from that section. The same thing happened with 500px, although its app was pulled from the App Store altogether until it came back with a mature age rating.

Other than the addition of the 17+ age rating and the new reporting system, the Vine update comes with some usual bugfixes, as well as the ability to share Vines (is that what we’re calling them?) to Facebook or Twitter after it has already been recorded and posted. The app also allows you to block users in case you find out that their Vines aren’t particular up to your standards.

If you’ve been MIA for the past couple weeks and aren’t sure what Vine is, we have a thorough primer on the subject that shows you what the app is and what it does. Essentially, Vine records short, six-second videos that you can post to Twitter, similar to GIFs but they’re a bit more creative and a lot quicker and easier to make. You can grab the app on iOS for free right now.

Vine implements 17+ age rating and reporting system is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.