PdaNet, the popular (and free) tethering app in Cydia, has been updated to mask unauthorized data tethering. This comes after carriers like AT&T have started cracking down on iPhone owners who use MyWi to tether without losing their unlimited data plan.

AT&T has been flagging any packets that appeared to come from a secondary device before sending out a notice to users. PdaNet prevents this by using a method of masking packets sent through the network so your carrier can’t tell if the data is coming from a device other than your iPhone.

The app also includes features like USB tethering and basic Wi-Fi security in addition to controlling the broadcast channel and WiFi signal strength, just like MyWi. You can either use the free version, or upgrade to the full version for $15.95 (limited time deal, normally $29) to access secured websites.

Any readers out there using PdaNet? What do you think of it?

PdaNet updated to hide unauthorized tethering [Jailbreak] is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

With rumors that Apple might be exploring over-the-air (OTA) updates for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch in iOS 5, we’re going to take the opportunity to go over how OTA updates work, what the advantages and disadvantages are (there’s always a mix of both), and why they should matter to you.

For the answer, follow on after the break.

Currently if you want to update iOS, you need to plug your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad into iTunes via the USB dock cable, hit the Update button, and watch as your iOS device is backed up, a roughly 500MB firmware file downloads to your Mac or Windows PC, the firmware completely replaces the contents of your iOS device, and then your data is restored from the previous backup and your content is synced back from your iTunes library. It’s a great, tested and true process that results in backups for users, fresh installs for Apple (which are typically more reliable), and a device that is completely updated and restored to exactly its previous data state for the user.

The OTA advantage

If the current iTunes-based update process just works. So why OTA? What’s wrong with the current process?

1. It requires you to get to a PC with iTunes. And not just any PC, but the “one” PC that contains your iTunes library or you won’t be able to re-sync your content (thanks Hollywood!). If that PC with iTunes isn’t handy, you can’t properly update.
2. It requires full firmware replacements. That means even if Apple only needs to fix a single Safari exploit or location database bug, you need to download a roughly 500MB firmware and go through the same update process, detailed above, as if you were updating to a completely new OS, like going from iOS 3 to iOS 4.

OTA updates would mean you could update anytime, from anywhere, without having to tether to your iTunes PC. If you’re at work — or on vacation — you don’t need to wait until you’re home.

It also means that Apple could, if they chose to, do smaller and more frequent patches when security issues arise or when critical bugs are found.

In fact, Apple’s already doing them in 2 instances:

1. Apple TV (2010). It runs iOS, but rather than plugging into iTunes, it handles iOS updates right on the device. However, it is always plugged into AC power, and it’s always on Wi-Fi or Ethernet. (We’ll address why that’s important later.)
2. Carrier Setting Files. Since iOS 4, Apple has been updating the files that determine, for example, tethering and mobile hotspot availability, group SMS functionality, and other carrier-specific settings.

Competitors like Google’s Android and HP/Palm’s webOS based phones have been doing OTA updates as well. But it’s not without its problems.

The OTA disadvantage

Since other smartphones have been doing OTA, we can see some of the problems that have arisen:

1. 3G/cellular data. Once you start allowing OTA updates, users might really expect them to be available everywhere, including when they’re away from Wi-Fi and on 3G connections. If Doing them over 3G can mean longer download times, the possibility of hitting up against data caps (if you’re on a 250MB plan, you couldn’t even download the firmware once), and carriers refusing to allow large downloads (like they do now with the 20MB iTunes/App Store limits.) Apple’s install base scares the network out of them. Likewise, If 3G updates are allowed, and if someone accidentally does a large update while roaming, their bill could be excessive. Conversely, if someone doesn’t have 3G but gets stuck on EDGE, GPRS, or 1xRTT (see our networking glossary) they could be painful to the point of impossible.
2. Delays/rollouts. When Google or HP roll out an Android or webOS update, not everyone seems to get it at once. Indeed, it took my Nexus One a couple weeks to pop up the OTA update for Gingerbread. iTunes delivers updates the instant Apple releases them. Why other platforms have used rollouts instead of just releasing their updates all at once, I’m not sure, but if the same factors (and/or carrier demands) force rolling updates for iOS, people who aren’t used to waiting may not be happy about waiting.
3. Restores/Re-syncs. As mentioned above, currently iTunes backs up and restores your iOS device while updating the full firmware. (Apple TV OTA updates don’t do this because it’s streaming-only and so doesn’t have to worry about local content). Handling a roughly 500MB firmware update is one thing. Handling up to 64GB of content backup and restore is another. Of course, Apple might switch from full firmware backups to a patching system, or require iTunes for major updates (iOS 4 to iOS 5) and do patches for minor ones (iOS 4.1 to iOS 4.2, or iOS 4.1.1 to iOS 4.1.2). This would result in smaller updates and remove the need to backup and restore. Except for…
4. Failed updates. If something goes wrong and you’re connected to iTunes, in the worst case scenario you can just restore (or even go into DFU mode and restore). If you’re out and about, doing an OTA update, and something goes wrong, your device is effectively dead unless and until you can get back to your iTunes PC.

The Jailbreak factor

When Apple began doing carrier file updates OTA, it became an immediate concern for unlockers. While that hasn’t turned out to be a real-world problem yet, it doesn’t mean it won’t.

Since Jailbreak depends on exploits to inject code, and updates patch exploits, more frequent and more targeted updates could kill existing Jailbreak exploits faster.

Conclusion

OTA updates are a bright, shiny future for iOS. It would further dismantle the iTunes tether, give more freedom to users, and more flexibility to Apple. But with great power comes great responsibility — to make it an easy, robust, and mainstream friendly solution. Apple is usually great at solving these riddles, but online has never been their forte. And OTA device updates need to be nailed.

(Yes, we really made it all the way through this article without once mentioning the giant new Apple Data Center in North Carolina — can you believe it? Oh, wait…)

TiPb Answers: Why over-the-air iOS updates matter is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Every day, TiPb gets flooded with announcements for new and updated iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps and games. So every day we pick just a few of the most interesting, the most notable, and simply the most awesome to share with you!

• I Act In Fact To Do List: Experience the satisfaction of getting the right things done effectively and have more fun along the way. Includes unique features help prevent procrastination or over-scheduling, and provide you feedback for continuous improvement. [$1.99 - iTunes link]

• Contact Notes: This app makes it very easy to utilize the iPhone Contacts’ notes field, to keep notes for your contacts. You can see all the notes you’ve entered in your iPhone Contacts’ notes field on one page, search by keyword through all your contacts’ notes easily, and add a new note in your iPhone Contacts’ notes field with fewer presses. [$0.99 - iTunes line]

• 8coupons: The largest source for local deals in every zipcode in the U.S. with 500K deals from Groupon, LivingSocial, Restaurant.com + 4,000 other deal providers. [Free - iTunes link]

• Air Video: Now with improved TV Out support and the ability to playback in the background. [$2.99 - iTunes link]

• YumYumBoy: Help YumYum, a gluttonous boy, eat as much as he can to satisfy his appetite, while trying to avoid the vegetables his mum throws at him. [$0.99 - iTunes link]

Any other big apps or game releases or updates today? If you pick any of these up, let us know what you think!

New and updated iPhone and iPad apps for Thursday, May 5 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

A new app called Onavo claims to be able to shrink your iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4's data consumption. The app works by compressing the data usage from other apps, web browsing sessions and even email; which allows users to double or even triple the usage of their existing data plans. The app works while at home and abroad according to Guy Rosen, one of the app's co-founders.

"Mobile data doesn't come for free," said Rosen, co-founder and chief executive, Onavo. "At home and abroad iPhone users must put up with capped or metered data plans. Travellers are hit the hardest, with data roaming costs effectively turning most smartphones into dumb phones. Onavo gives you the confidence to use your iPhone without being held back by data costs. It's a no brainer – it simply saves you money. We believe Onavo will become a must-have travel and utility app for any iPhone user."

Once installed, the app connects your iPhone to a cloud-based technology which Onavo has dubbed, "The Magical Shrinking Machine". Once setup, the app works in the background on your iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 and compresses the data that you actually download to your device. The app also provides a detailed monthly data report allowing users to see which apps are consuming the most data.

The free app will only work with downloaded data at this stage and does not support streaming services such as YouTube  or VoIP; but it is working on that. The app has already won the Best Mobile Start-Up and the People Choice awards at The NextWeb Startup Rally 2011.

BlackBerry makers RIM have long touted the data compression technology of their NOC-based system as a competitive advantage when users have capped plans, and browsers like Opera Mini have likewise used proxy, cache, and compression technology as a way to market themselves to the data starved.

According to Onavo, they’re accomplishing this without violating any Apple private-API or background rules.

After installing Onavo you are prompted to install a configuration profile which allows the data to be redirected through Onavo’s servers (hosted on Amazon EC2, currently in the United States – more locations to come). Once the data is streamed through our servers we are able show you insights into your data usage, and (if you choose to), compress the data, thus sending much less data back to the operator, causing the user to pay less for his or her data usage.

There are also configuration tips, see the Onavo link below. Would you consider using an app like this? Are privacy concerns an issue when your internet traffic is delivered via a third party server? Let us know what you think in the comments!

[Free - iTunes link, via The Telegraph,  Onavo]

Onavo app claims to be able to shrink your iPhone's data usage is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

HD Media Systems, a Savant AV dealer, has put together a great looking iPad-controlled smart home system. The setup uses wall mounted iPads to control the home and even includes a virtual dinner bell to get the kids to the table on time; something we could all do with!

The real world stories of iPads being used in home automation situations just keep on coming, don’t they? Earlier in the week we heard that the iPad was being deployed by Solstice Multimedia,

Take a look at the rather long video after the break. Unfortunately the audio seems a little out of sync! Is anyone tempted to install a system in their home? Let us know in the comments!

[Automated Home, Savant AV]

Tour of iPad-controlled award winning Savant powered smart home is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Mark Gurman from 9to5Mac is hearing that Apple and Verizon are discussing over-the-air (OTA) software updates for iOS 5. Google’s Android and HP/Palm’s webOS have been doing OTA OS updates for a while now, and Apple has done OTA carrier file updates, but when it comes to iOS the only option thus far has been complete firmware updates via iTunes.

Multiple sources say the new feature will debut in iOS 5, meaning iOS 5 will not come over-the-air but following point updates to it will. Just like tethering in iOS 3, Apple has the technology but cannot just unleash it everywhere. Apple and Verizon Wireless are said to have been in talks over these wireless software updates since early this year. Sources could not comment on whether or not Apple is negotiating similar deals with AT&T or international iPhone carriers.

And according to Chronic Dev-Team founder, Chronic, it may have been in the works for a while:

I can say quite a bit of code to allow OTA updates has been on the OS for awhile

Chpwn adds:

MobileSoftwareUpdate.framework has been there since iOS 4, but is only “fleshed out” with daemons, etc on the Apple TV.

And iH8ns0w:

there is strong evidence that OTA updates could be coming. Ramdisks have been getting shipped w/o encryption. The AES engine is disabled when it reaches kernel state. So, it cannot decrypt images in iOS.

Apple TV (2010) already does OTA updates for iOS, though it’s secured to a power source at all times. Apple provided Mac OS X Lion’s developer preview via the Mac App Store, so it’s not inconceivable that future iOS updates could come via the iOS App Store either.

Step by step Apple has been dismantling the iTunes tether dependency. Could OTA updates be the next big leap?

[9to5Mac, @chronic, @chpwn, @iH8sn0w]

Apple exploring over-the-air updates for iOS 5? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog