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First iPhone 3.1.2 Firmware Jailbreak Released, For All Devices

Oct 14, 2009

"Geohot," who was the first to jailbreak the original 2G iPhone (albeit with a bit of hardware tweaking) and also the first to jailbreak the iPhone 3GS has released the first jailbreak for the latest iPhone firmware, 3.1.2. The iPhone Dev Team still hasn't completed a jailbreak for the iPhone 3GS on the last firmware (except for previously jailbroken iPhone 3GS's).

Unfortunately for Mac users, it's Windows only for now, but I suppose that's what Boot Camp is for. At any rate, the .EXE for the jailbreak, dubbed "blackra1n," is downloadable here (click the Windows icon). Assuming you've already updated to 3.1.2, here's how it works:

Step 1: Start blackra1n. It might be necessary to run the app in "XP Compatibility Mode" on Vista or 7 but I didn't see an issue.

Step 2: Click on “make it ra1n”:

Step 3: Wait for the phone to automatically reboot.

Step 4: You should see “blackra1n” in your iPhone app list . Run “blackra1n”, download "Cydia" and install it.

Step 5: Reboot your iPhone. You should now be running a jailbroken version of firmware 3.1.2 on your iPhone or iPod touch.

Of course, your mileage may vary. No notes from the iPhone Dev Team yet about their opinion on Geohot's latest "blackra1n" version.

Nero 8's here, but where's my Serial Number? My friend and the P2P Challenge

Ahead Software released their latest version of Nero today, Nero 8 Ultra Edition. Despite pre-ordering, however, I haven't received my serial number. Not just that, but after looking all over the site I can't find a simple way to email or open a case with Ahead.

I was able to open a case with the vendor they use for sales, Asknet, but I haven't heard back yet.

This is so typical of many smaller software companies; you look all around their site and feel like you're running in circles ... and yet can't find a way to get support. Because I'm so annoyed (and my friends know it), one of my friends decided to take up the challenge. He's bet me he can find me a working keygen before I get a response from anyone else.

Note that I have already paid for this product (and I have the receipt in an email folder!), and despite the fact that keygens and serial numbers for past versions were all over the Internet, I paid for those as well. But as I said, I'm really irritated, less at not having the serial number than the fact that they make it nearly impossible to get support for this product.

Most likely I won't use the keygen anyway, but I thought this would be an interesting post.

(Interestingly, I found a Technical Support number; it includes free Technical Support through October --- which kinda makes me worried about installing it anyway. But it's Tech Support, not Customer Support. I will also say that from past experience with Nero 7 I should probably wait until version 8.5 comes out before installing any version of 8. )

Update: Looks like he won ... he showed me a working install on his hard drive. And I still haven't heard back from Ahead Software or Asknet.

Update 2: Finally got an email from Asknet, about 3 hours after the keygen was found. Efficiency, or lack thereof. And no, I didn't use the keygen.

Update 3: Still stranger, I received my official serial number email (the one in Update 2 came from Tech Support) two days after my friend downloaded the keygen.

YouTube Carpet-Bombed by Porn Videos

Wednesday, May 20, was declared "Porn Day" by members of 4chan (need I remind you of them?) and eBaum's World. In that vein, users from the sites spent the day uploading porn to YouTube.

Basically, YouTube had to spend most of the day deleting videos. The pranksters even got a little clever and uploaded porn with 20 - 30 seconds of "legit" content at the start, to fool YouTube employees.

Google spokesperson Scott Rubin told Ars Technica:

"It may take some time for video search results and thumbnail images to disappear from the site. Typically, this should not take more than a couple of days, but the videos themselves are no longer viewable."

Rubin told C|Net:

"This group of pranksters thought it would be funny to load a bunch of porn to YouTube. This is an unfortunate, and I think poorly directed, prank. I think our systems are doing really well at removing content that violates the guidelines."

In case you do need to be reminded about 4chan, they hit Time not too long ago, making sure that someone they wanted won the Time 100 Poll for the World's Most Influential Person. Yep, it was "moot," the founder of 4chan.

Continuing Windows Live OneCare 2.0 Problems Anger Users

Microsoft updated Windows Live OneCare in November, with much fanfare over its new features, such as OneCare Circle. A number of issues since the release, such as the service seemingly canceling itself, or the program no longer starting after updating to 2.0, have plagued users.

(Click the OneCare logo above to see a screenshot that shows a number of issues on the OneCare forum).

As you hopefully know, Windows Live OneCare was unveiled in 2006 as Microsoft's first foray into security software. As I said at the time, just as with a new car model, I wouldn't trust a new entry into the security arena, and it seems I was right.

Ignoring the fact that one of the biggest issues with 2.0 is that it won't start (!), the key to an antivirus (AV) product is effectiveness, and OneCare has poor results in various AV comparatives.

Things have gotten so bad that one user came up with the solution and posted it in a thread entitled "How to Fix LiveOneCare V. 2.0 Problems." His answer:

1. Find your purchase receipt, box it up, call Microsoft Customer Service and tell them you want a full refund. Mail it in to them and then wait the requisite six months for your refund.

2. Go to the OneCare web site and download and run OneCareCleanUp.exe to get Live OneCare off your computer.

Then google up AVG and dowload (sic) either the $29.95 edition or the free edition and install it on your computer..... and your troubles are over.

You know you've screwed up when the person moderating your forum becomes frustrated. Stephen Boots, the Microsoft Most Valued Professional (MVP) who moderates the OneCare forum, said in the same thread above (7th post in the thread):

There *were* too many problems with the v2 upgrade and too many remain now. I believe that the test bed needs to be evaluated and expanded since the nearly infinite configurations that OneCare will be running on means that exposure to more configurations is crucial. Each release needs to be much better.

As I said before, find yourself a good-rated AV solution from one of the comparatives (check my earlier post), one that doesn't bring your system to its knees (like NOD32), and go for it. If you're still using OneCare, you have my sympathy.

New U.K. "Texting While Driving" PSA is Disturbing, Pulls No Punches

A new "texting while driving" PSA (public service announcement) from the U.K. pulls no punches. It also makes no attempt to hide the graphic consequences for someone distracted by their SMS messages while driving, either.

The dangers of texting while driving are well-known to researchers. Numerous studies have shown that text messaging while driving is as bad as drunk driving, in terms of the reduction in reaction time for the driver. In the case of SMS while driving, it's distraction, not a physical result of imbibing in alcohol, but the result is still the same.

Many are either still unaware of the possible consequences, or simply do not care. They feel that the consequences of not responding or not reading an SMS are worse than anything else. Is that SMS really that important? This "texting while driving" PSA certainly should give you the answer to that question: no.

In reality, common sense should be enough, but that's something people lack of lot of nowadays, when it comes to thinking what's most important: your life or some inane act. While this "texting while driving" PSA is graphic, not quite "Final Destination" graphic, but pretty disturbing (fair warning, and the part with the baby and child is especially disturbing!), it is still likely that many will simply ignore this as a "Hollywood" production.

I recall when I was in school, and they would show us actual dead bodies as the result of overdosing on drugs, as a way of scaring teens out of drug use. This "texting while driving" PSA is pretty graphic already, but perhaps that's how far people need to go: ads showing the actual real-life consequences of actual accidents as a result of texting while driving.

One problem with that idea is that it's not that easy to tell when such activity is the cause of a crash. That's one reason that statistics of that sort aren't readily available, either.

In terms of legislation, in the U.S., thirty-six states have no text messaging while driving ban. Those that do frequently have "slap on the wrist" fines such as California's, which is $20 for the first offense, and $50 for the subsequent offenses.

Watch a video report including the "texting while driving" PSA. It's not easy to watch, but at least we know it's not real. That doesn't mean the potential for real accidents of this nature isn't there, every day.

Here's a CNN report with some expert discussion afterwards:

Viper's SmartStart: Remote Start, Unlock Using Your iPhone

Want to start your car remotely? There's an app for that. Viper has announced the SmartStart, a free app that, with the addition of a SmartStart module in your car (not free!), will allow you to remotely start your car, and more.

Here's what you can do with the StartSmart:

Lock/arm
Unlock/disarm
Remote car starter
Trunk release
Panic or car finder

If you already have a Viper remote start / security system in your car, the price is $299 for the VSM100 module. If you don't, it's $499 for the works. Viper says Best Buy can install it for you.

I'll admit, this is cool, but since I already have keyless entry in both my cars, why would I want it? Now, here's what I would like to see: an app that allowed my iPhone to work as my keyless entry fob, so I can ditch the one I carry. This would have to work with a variety of cars, however, and probably isn't practical to develop.

Additionally, the good thing about those keyless entry fobs is that they include a backup key, in case your battery dies. I'd hate to have my iPhone battery run out, with either SmartStart or my "dream app," without a backup.

There is one advantage to Viper's SmartStart: virtually unlimited range. It uses the iPhone's data connection to connect to the module, not the limited-range IRDA or Bluetooth. Here's another negative though: after a one-year freebie, you pay $30 annually for the service.

Google Search gives warning - This site may harm your computer

Oct 10, 2009

There is something wrong with Google search today, all the results are reporting This site may harm your computer.

There are many reports of this all over the web, which confirms that it has affected many but not sure if everyone is facing this. This is definately a bug and it should be fixed immediately.