iOS 6.1.3
This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:
* Fixes a bug that could allow someone to bypass the passcode and access the Phone app
* Improvements to Maps in Japan
Apple has released iOS 6.1.3 with the biggest issue being the Passcode Lock bypass;
Impact: A person with physical access to the device may be able to bypass the screen lock
Description: A logic issue existed in the handling of emergency calls from the lock screen. This issue was addressed through improved lock state management.
iOS 6.1.2
Fixes an Exchange calendar bug that could result in increased network activity and reduced battery life.
Apple has released iOS 6.1.2 which is a small (12.8 MB) update. This update appears to be dedicated to fixing a bug on exchange calendars (iPhone and iPad) which leads to failure of attempts to accept or decline Exchange calendar meeting requests. This results in a continuous loop being set up, with the consequence that the accept/decline is not recorded, a heavy load is placed on the servers, and the device’s battery runs down rather rapidly.
MacBook Pro 13″ A1278 (2009 Version) uses an Apple A1322 battery NOT the A1278 Battery which is used in the Apple MacBook 13″ Aluminum Unibody Series (2008 Version). If you call most suppliers and ask for a battery for an A1322 MacBook you will be sent an A1322 battery as the A1322 is not listed as customer replaceable (even from Mac sales locations) .
Have we got that? The 2009 version A1278 doesn’t use the A1278 battery. If the base of your 13″ MacBook A1278 is a single piece you need an A1322 battery, if your mac base comes apart (as in the image below) you use the A1278 battery.
“No SIM Card installed”
If you are experiencing the “No SIM Card installed” error on your iPad, and you did have a working SIM installed, here are some steps to work through to get you back up and running.
1.) Turn the iPad onto Flight Mode
leave for 30 seconds, turn off Flight Mode. Sometimes the iPad doesn’t roam between cells very well and needs to renegotiate with the cell tower.
2.) Reset network settings
This will reset all network settings, including passwords, VPN, APN, and Wi-Fi profile settings.
* Tap Settings.
* Tap General.
* Tap Reset.
* Tap Reset Network Settings.
* Tap Yes to confirm.
3.) Remove and re-seat your SIM
If the SIM is unseated you can lose reception (dropped the iPad recently?)
4.) Test a known working SIM / Test SIM in 2nd device
* If the SIM will not work in a second device and a 2nd SIM works in the initial device you have a faulty SIM. Some SIM cards are faulty, you may need to obtain a new SIM card – check with your telco.
* If the SIM works in a 2nd device and a new SIM doesn’t work in the initial device, you may have a hardware fault (Apparently there is a problem with the pins that read the SIM card). This is harder to resolve as you’ll need to perform the Apple Repair shop hoop jumping exercise.
Overnight (GMT+11) Apple released its first iOS 6 bug fix update since releasing iOS 6 last September.
About iOS 6.0.1 Software Update [1]
This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:
• Fixes a bug that prevents iPhone 5 from installing software updates wirelessly over the air
• Fixes a bug where horizontal lines may be displayed across the keyboard
• Fixes an issue that could cause camera flash to not go off
• Improves reliability of iPhone 5 and iPod touch (5th generation) when connected to encrypted WPA2 Wi-Fi networks
• Resolves an issue that prevents iPhone from using the cellular network in some instances
• Consolidated the Use Cellular Data switch for iTunes Match
• Fixes a Passcode Lock bug which sometimes allowed access to Passbook pass details from lock screen
• Fixes a bug affecting Exchange meetings
About the security content of iOS 6.0.1 [2]
* Kernel CVE-2012-3749 : information disclosure
* Passcode Lock CVE-2012-3750 : unauthorised access
* WebKit CVE-2012-3748 : unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution
* WebKit CVE-2012-5112 : unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution
You can download the 69.7MB update over the air directly to your device via Settings > General > Software Update or by connecting to iTunes.
* Apple’s secret “wispr” request (2012-Sep-19) [Errata Security] On the day of iPhone 5 release, this webpage went down, breaking everyone’s WiFi.
When an Apple iOS device (iPhone, iPad, iPod) connects to a WiFi network, the first thing it does is make a request to the URL http://www.apple.com/library/test/success.html. Some twitters (like Adam Shostack) were commenting on this. I thought I’d explain what I’ve found out about it. …
* iOS 6 Security Roundup (2012-Sep-21) [SANS] - Siri: Siri gained additional capabilities, including the ability to Tweet and update Facebook. This feature is available even on a locked iPhone. To disable this feature, make sure Siri is disabled when the phone is locked.
- Password less updates: Updating Apps no longer requires that you enter your password. I haven’t found a method yet to turn this off (but actually like it, as my iTunes password is quite complex)
- Social Media Integration: Adding a Facebook account to your iOS device will sync your contact settings with Facebook (there is a clear warning that this will happen). Facebook recently changed the default address of all accounts to @facebook.com and e-mail addresses in your contact list may be updated with the @facebook.com address as a result.
On 12 Sep 2012, Apple released iTunes 10.7. This version fixes quite a number of vulnerabilities. Impacts of exploitation include unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution
Information regarding the new iTunes (released Oct 2012) shows features such as;
* new library views
* new mini player mode
How many changes in 10.7 to start heading in this direction?
SPARKvue By PASCO scientific
Having had several discussions along the lines of ‘if Nike can use a data logger for their shoes in iOS, surely there is a method to log other data loggers’ we have found that this is the case.
SPARKvue brings real-time measurement, data visualization, and analysis to science education everywhere. Students can use the new PASPORT AirLink 2 Bluetooth interface to connect to over 70 PASCO sensors, measuring a wide range of phenomena, including pH, temperature, force, carbon dioxide level, and many more. SPARKvue is designed for scientific inquiry in biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental science, physics, and physical science. SPARKvue can also record data from the iPhone or iPod Touch’s internal accelerometer, with no additional hardware needed. [1]
ISSUE:
Using a MacBook Pro connected into an AV system with sound reinforcement and video projector we have a loud background hum introduced into the audio reproduction. The trick? This only happens if the external monitor connection is plugged in. The only thing that stops the hum is removing the external display connection.
This is not the usual laptop issue of noisy laptop power supply as the hum exists with the laptop running from battery, even using a firewire sound card (FCA202) to eliminate audio grounding issues, we still have the same issues.
The external audio hum is apparently a known issue when connecting a Macbook, Macbook Pro, or Macbook Air to an external TV monitor using the DVI port…
This would appear to be a pretty systematic problem with the segregation between the audio and video system in the MacBook Pro. Two solutions appear to be popularly in discussions;
Solution 1: Audio Ground Loop Isolation
Using a Ground Loop Isolator in the audio connection (eg. Jaycar: Car Stereo Line Isolation Transformer $12.75). [Update: 22-AUG-2012 AA3085 has been replaced with AA3084 $9.95]
_*If you’ve isolated the issue to a hum when you connect your DVI port, the only viable and successful workaround is to buy a ground loop isolator for your audio cabling.*_
– Audio hum w/external display? [discussions.apple.com]
It turned out that you need to get an “Ground loop isolator” which is a box that quote “works by breaking the earth between your computer or audio components and stereo so there’s no path for current from an electrical imbalance to flow”.
– audio noise when using DVI out [discussions.apple.com]
The line filter can be installed at the wall plate and left with the AV drop cable as a part of the rooms AV infrastructure. As the installed infrastructure uses 3.5mm jacks the line filter will need RCA to 3.5mmm adapters.
Solution 2: Digital Audio Out
The MacBook Pro allows for Digital Audio Out and In via the following ports;
Audio line in/optical digital audio in port
Connect your MacBook Pro (15-inch Core 2 Duo) to a line-level microphone or optical digital audio equipment. The Audio In port accommodates both optical digital audio input and analog audio input.
Headphone/optical digital audio out port Connect external speakers, headphones, or optical digital audio equipment. The headphone / line output jack accommodates optical digital audio output, analog audio output with a 24-bit, 44.1-192 kHz D/A converter, digital audio output up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-192 kHz sampling rate and supporting encoded digital audio output (AC3 and DTS). For analog headphone / line output a standard audio cable with 3.5mm metal plug should be used. For digital audio, a standard Toslink cable with a Toslink mini-plug adapter can be used.
So using a Toslink to Mini Toslink(3.5mm) Cable# and a Digital to Analogue audio converter (eg. Jaycar: Digitech Digital to Analogue Audio Converter AC-1603 $69.95) we can attach out digital audio into the sound system. You also require a RCA to 3.5mm converter to finish the rig.
(# For our test rig I used a standard 05.m Toslink cable WQ7261 $16.95 and adapted one end using a Mini Toslink adapter PA3574 $5.95.)
The digital to analog system requires power, and needs to be located at the laptop end of the system. This system is perhaps more suited to a traveling user who requires a very clean signal.
This solution does NOT clear the majority of the hum from the audio signal.
Which Solution?
Given the price difference and the suitable result from using the line filter, I would recommend the line filter for most situations.
NOTE: Originally written 2011/07/27. Published 2012/08/16
The challenge with presenting with the iPad in many locations is that the existing infrastructure is configured for laptops and this means connecting via VGA and this can result is restricting the iPad mobility; one of the reasons to be presenting from the iPad in the first place..
DIRECT CONNECTION
You can directly connect your iPad using the Apple VGA Adapter (MC552ZM), this results in your iPad being tethered to the podium. If the VGA cable is heavy you can pull the adapter from the iPad as it is a non locking connection (compared with the laptop which uses screws to lock the attachment to the laptop). Some of the very heavy VGA cables place some considerable strain on the iPad dock connector.
The Apple VGA Adapter supports video mirroring on iPad 2 or later and iPhone 4S; and video out (only) on iPad (1st generation), iPhone 4 or iPod touch (4th generation).
This can work and is worthwhile carrying the adapter in your iPad case if you are presenting from your iPad. This is not a good solution if you control the space that you plan to present in.
USING AIRPLAY
iLab AirPlay Mirroring
1. On your iPhone 4S or iPad 2, double-click the Home Button to view your recently-used apps.
2. Swipe all the way to the right to until you see the icon.
Note: If the icon does not appear, go to the “If AirPlay Mirroring is not visible or available on your mobile iOS device” section.
3. Tap the icon to see the list of available AirPlay devices.
4. Enable AirPlay Mirroring in this menu by tapping on an available Apple TV, then sliding the Mirroring slider to ON.
– Setting up and troubleshooting AirPlay Mirroring [KB TS4085]
iLab screen mirroring to VGA wireless
The challenge – allow screen display on teaching lab screens via existing AV inputs from iPad without restricting the iPad mobility.
AirPlay With AirPlay, you can wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to Apple TV (2nd generation) and stream music to AirPlay speakers or receivers, including AirPort Express.
– Using AirPlay [HT4437]
AirPlay Mirroring
AirPlay Mirroring is available on the following products: Apple TV (2nd generation), iPad 2, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iPhone 4S
– Setting up and troubleshooting AirPlay Mirroring [KB TS4085]
Making it work in our environment.
To allow for the AirPlay in our environment we have created an ‘iLab’ that can be installed into classrooms where the iPads are being used. At the moment the “iLab’ resides in one of our Science labs and is moved when required elsewhere.
* Video is converted from HDMI output from the Apple TV into a VGA signal using a Digitech HDMI – VGA/AV component converter. This gives a VGA signal that can be plugged directly into the laptop video input.
* Digital audio output from the Apple TV, we convert the signal to analogue audio using a Digitech D to A Audio converter to plug directly into a 3.5mm audio jack provided for the laptops.
A custom wireless network is provided using an Apple AirPort Extreme. This allows for access control specific to the class, and access to the internet can be supplied and removed without impacting other users.
All of the required components apart from the AirPort have been mounted onto a 1RU rack tray so that the unit is very portable and can be installed into the teaching environment when requested.
Audio line in/optical digital audio in port
Headphone/optical digital audio out port Connect external speakers, headphones, or optical digital audio equipment. The headphone / line output jack accommodates optical digital audio output, analog audio output with a 24-bit, 44.1-192 kHz D/A converter, digital audio output up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-192 kHz sampling rate and supporting encoded digital audio output (AC3 and DTS). For analog headphone / line output a standard audio cable with 3.5mm metal plug should be used. For digital audio, a standard Toslink cable with a Toslink mini-plug adapter can be used. 
