iPhone Firmware 2.2 SDK Reveals Undocumented TV-out Features
December 2, 2008 by Jack Svetlana
Filed under iPhone Hacks & Cracks
Well-known iPhone developer and blogger at Ars Technica, Erica Sadun has discovered that the updated MediaPlayer framework in the recently released iPhone firmware 2.2 Software Development Kit (SDK) offers an option to export video-out live to a connected TV screen.
Theoretically the undocumented feature will allow third-party iPhone apps to send video out through the dock connector to an external screen.
Erica Sadun explains:
“The MPTVOutWindow class allows your iPhone to send its video to a connected TV rather than to the built-in screen. Intended to be used with movies, the unpublished class creates a live video feed that is sent out through the iPhone’s connector port. End-users will need to buy a video adapter or cable to use this functionality.”
She has even created a prototype iPhone app and later updated it with control screen and camera feed to demonstrate the iPhone video-out feature. This is what she has to say about the prototype:
“Supports two screens: one provided by the video-out cable, the other on the iPhone itself. Buttons pressed on the iPhone affect what happens on the video-out feed—in this case, flipping the display from landscape to portrait and back.”
You can checkout the video of the prototype in action below:
Greg “go2″ Hartstein has also developed an impressive prototype to demonstrate some of the possibilities of the video-out feature as seen in the video below. He explains:
The first example simply uses the phone trackpad as a controller.
The second mirrors the phone window and the Video output.
The third extends the phone “desktop” onto the TV screen.
It will be interesting to see what iPhone developers or for that matter Apple will be able to come up with using this undocumented TV-out feature.
What do you think?
iPhone Firmware 2.2 is Out. Jailbreakers Should Not Update!
November 23, 2008 by Jack Svetlana
Filed under iPhone Apps, iPhone Hacks & Cracks
The rumor was right… Apple did release firmware 2.2 last night and for once, it seems that we have some useful features added:
Enhancements to Maps:
- Google Street View
- public transit and walking directions
- display address of dropped pins
- share location via email
Enhancements to Mail
- resolve isolated issues with scheduled fetching of email
- improved formatting of wide HTML email
Other Enhancements
- Improved stability and performance of Safari
- Podcasts are now available for download in the iTunes application (over Wi-Fi and cellular networks)
- Decrease in call set-up failures and call drops
- Improved sound quality of visual voicemail messages
- Pressing the Home button from any Home screen takes you the first Home screen
- Preference to turn on/off keyboard auto-correction
Apparently, iPod Touch users don’t get the Google Maps upgrade that includes the addition of Street View as well as public transit and walking directions.
Like they did earlier this week, the Dev Team warns us about updating the iPhone using iTunes.
So, as anticipated our friends the misfits have recently released the long awaited 2.2 update. We can confirm that this update SHOULD NOT be applied using iTunes if you want the chance of a soft-unlock in the near future.
If you want to keep that option of a ‘soft-unlock in the near future’ available but you want the new features of 2.2, you will be able to update to 2.2 using a PwnageTool created custom ipsw file that disables the baseband update. You will be able to do this using an updated version of PwnageTool that will be released sometime soon.
Some facts -
- The 2.2 firmware for 3G contains a baseband update for the 3G iPhone
- The 2.2 firmware for 2G (1st gen iPhones) doesn’t contain a baseband update and the baseband is still at 04.05.04
- We believe that our Pwnage technique (and therefore the Jailbreak) isn’t affected, but PwnageTool and QuickPwn do not support this release as yet, so DO NOT install 2.2 using iTunes as you will lose your jailbreak
- If you apply this update and you previously relied on PwnageTool or QuickPwn to activate your phone, it may become temporarily deactivated and unusable (until we release the new version of PwnageTool or QuickPwn).
- PwnageTool and QuickPwn updates will be released as soon as possible that will allow a safe update path to 2.2 the release of these updates is inevitable but not imminent, we are creating the modifications right now and we need to put the new software through the usual testing process.
- If you apply this update and you have third-party (non AppStore) applications that you rely on they will stop working.
- 2G (1st gen) iPhone users who cannot wait for the new PwnageTool or QuickPwn can safely “Update” to 2.2 using iTunes, this will preserve the existing activation. However “restoring” to 2.2 using iTunes will return the iPhone to the unactivated state. If you are in any doubt just wait. NB: This works for 2G ONLY.
- The use of SIM-Proxies (small circuit boards/chips that sit underneath the SIM card) to provide GSM/UMTS service on your locked iPhone 3G is a method that we have always advised against. Early reports suggest that the 2.2 update disables the functionality of these devices. The techniques used were always unreliable and we are surprised that they have lasted this long.
- We are not working on the 2nd generation iPod touch at the moment, so we cannot comment on what the the 2.2 software update may do to this specific model
So, as always, if you are in any doubt whatsoever please delay the install of this firmware on any of your devices until we have investigated the release in more detail. Watch this space
Also, iTunes 8.0.2 is out now. I doubt this will make much difference either way, but ask yourself, why bother. Just because a new version is out doesn’t mean you want it. I would hold off on this also.
iPhone Firmware 2.2 and iTunes 8.0.2 are both available from the downloads section of our blog.
iPhone 2.2 Jailbreak Officially Out!
November 23, 2008 by Jack Svetlana
Filed under iPhone Apps, iPhone Guide, iPhone Hacks & Cracks
Recent the development of the group come up with their latest firmware 2.2 and at the same time in their Blog, we get the latest information, so every jailbreaker should be changed and then try to have their own iPhone. and I don’t like copying large part from other people’s blogs but I feel like it’s necessary in this case as I want to make sure you fully understand the methods and the risks you’re taking if you decide to go ahead and jailbreak your iPhone. You can also read this post on the Dev Team’s blog.
- GOLDEN RULE: If you have a 3G iPhone and want potential soft unlock in the near future do NOT use QuickPwn, and do not use the official ipsw or the iTunes update process without using PwnageTool.
- Read item 1 again and again.
- At the bottom of this post are the bittorrent files for the latest versions of PwnageTool and QuickPwn.
- These are suitable for the recent 2.2 release.
- Please read all parts of this post before downloading and using these tools.
- The ‘late 2008’ MacBook/air/pro line of computers have an issue with DFU mode, it is possible to go from Pwned 2.1 -> 2.2 but going from stock to Pwned does not work, if in any doubt use a different machine.
- Choosing the correct tool is crucial. Be warned!
Baseband 101
The ‘baseband’ is the generic name given to the internal components of the iPhone that handle the phone calls and Internet access. This ‘baseband’ is a tiny and unique independent computer system that runs inside your iPhone, it is separate to the main system that handles the applications (such as email and google maps) and it talks to the main part of the phone over an internal communications network. Think of it like a cable modem or other peripheral that is attached to your home PC that needs occasional updates. When a software update is released and presented to you within iTunes the baseband is sometimes updated (to fix bugs or add new features). The 2.2 update for the iPhone 3G contains such an update, so running the vanilla updater straight away with iTunes will reprogram and update the baseband. This could be bad for certain people, depending on your ultimate aim.
SIM Free/SP Unlocked/Factory Unlocked iPhone 3G
This applies if you bought your iPhone 3G for $$$$$$$. This model of iPhone 3G doesn’t have an Service Provider lock (aka factory unlocked) and you are able to put any SIM card into the phone and get service. Your phone is already unlocked so you do not need to worry about baseband updates, simply upgrade to 2.2 using iTunes and then use QuickPwn to Pwn and Jailbreak. This will add Cydia and Installer too.
Locked iPhone 3G – Preserve Baseband
This applies if you have a locked iPhone 3G and you wish to update to 2.2 but preserve the iPhone’s current baseband software. Preserving the baseband will give you the maximum chance for any upcoming software unlock. To upgrade your phone to 2.2 and preserve the state of the baseband you need to create a custom .ipsw with PwnageTool. This custom .ipsw will not contain the baseband update but of course will still allow all the cool new stuff from 2.2.
There are plenty of tutorials about this process on the web, but PwnageTool contains intuitive graphics and easy to follow prompts that should have you up and running in no time at all.
Locked iPhone 3G
If you are using your iPhone with one carrier and have no interest in the possibility of an iPhone 3G unlock in the near future then just restore or upgrade to 2.2 using iTunes and use QuickPwn to Jailbreak and add Cydia and Installer.
Locked iPhone 2G (1st Generation)
Restore your iPhone 2G with iTunes then run QuickPwn to do the magic, ‘nuff said.
iPod Touch 1G (Original iPod Touch)
Update to 2.2 with iTunes and run QuickPwn.
iPod Touch 2G (New iPod Touch)
Sorry, no support at this time.
Bittorrent Releases
- PwnageTool 2.2 for Mac OS X is here SHA1 Sum – 97ee6096aaa1967498431bf01c36c18d0e877545
- QuickPwn 2.2 for Mac OS X is here SHA1 Sum – 254b8af0e19870a4660b7b11e3b6f6ae1d6bc66f
- QuickPwn 2.2 for Windows is here SHA1 Sum – ffdbc561224c61ffc2713cb6a6e696b6d429c4ca
I’m gonna be working on a QuickPwn 2.2 Guide and a PwnageTool 2.2 Tutorial and I should post this within hours.
