PwnageTool 3.1.5 Released for iPhone OS 3.1.3 Jailbreak

Monday, February 8, 2010

Mac OS X tool for jailbreaking iPhone and iPod touch now available

Following the revival of redsn0w, the infamous iPhone Dev Team has released an updated version of its PwnageTool application for those looking to jailbreak their iPhone or iPod touch. Available as a free download, PwnageTool is a Mac-only application that only jailbreaks (doesn’t unlock) iPhones, while Windows users have different tools to download and use.

Folks owning hacked devices running iPhone firmware below 3.1.3 will be able to preserve their unlock by jailbreaking via PwnageTool, but not if the unlock has been performed using geohot’s blacksn0w hack tool, according to the Dev Team.

“On Tuesday, Apple released firmware 3.1.3 for the iPhone and iPod touches,” the latest update over at the iPhone Dev Team’s blog reads. “Unless you’ve personally observed a problem with the reporting of your battery percentage, there’s no reason to update to 3.1.3. We know some of you will want to anyway. Superbowl Sunday’s PwnageTool 3.1.5 for Mac OS X will let you do so safely, preserving your jailbreak and ultrasn0w unlock. (If you use the blacksn0w unlock (at baseband 05.11.07), you need to stay at 3.1.2.),” the introduction ends.

In usual manner, the internationally known group of hackers proceeds with instructing device owners regarding their particular steps. While Softpedia doesn’t condone jailbreaking, it is advised that, if you do wish to carry out such activities, you should carefully read the information provided by the iPhone Dev Team.

Although PwnageTool will jailbreak even devices that have been updated via iTunes, users can also decide to download their update / restore IPSW files from different locations, as explained here. The latest IPSW downloads are iPhone1,1_3.1.3_7E18_Restore.ipsw; iPhone1,2_3.1.3_7E18_Restore.ipsw; iPhone2,1_3.1.3_7E18_Restore.ipsw (for iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS), and iPod1,1_3.1.3_7E18_Restore.ipsw; iPod2,1_3.1.3_7E18_Restore.ipsw; iPod3,1_3.1.3_7E18_Restore.ipsw (for iPod touch 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation).

Softpedia doesn't condone jailbreaking / unlocking the iPhone / iPod touch or any other device. This article has a purely informational purpose and doesn't, in any way, suggest that you should hack your Apple device. Using hacks may render your device unusable, or may reduce the quality of your experience employing the respective device. If you choose to download and install jailbreak tools, you will do so at your own risk. Unlocking / jailbreaking your iPhone / iPod touch may violate your warranty or the EULA with Apple and / or your cellular-service provider.

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Mozilla Firefox Dropping Mac OS X Tiger Support

The popular web browser is likely to stop at version 3.6 for Mac OS X 10.4

Mozilla is dropping Tiger support altogether, as far as its Firefox web browser is concerned. A post over at mozilla.dev.planning has Mozilla developer Josh Aas laying out the case for dropping support for Apple’s five-year-old OS, explaining that Mozilla needs to start taking advantage of modern features available in Leopard and Snow Leopard, the successors of Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger).

“In September of 2009 we stopped supporting Mac OS X 10.4 (‘Tiger’) on mozilla-central but we left much of the code required to support that platform in the tree in case we wanted to reverse that decision,” Aas writes. “We have come to a point where we need to make a final decision and either restore 10.4 support or remove this (large) amount of 10.4 specific code.”

He adds, “Mac OS X 10.4 was released in April of 2005 and a lot has changed since then. We would like to take advantage of more modern technologies on Mac OS X and 10.4 support has been a hindrance. Where we can work around supporting 10.4, doing so consumes valuable time and effort. Neither Chrome nor Safari has to deal with this.”

The developer goes to dish out a few numbers, revealing that approximately 25% of Mozilla’s Mac OS X users are still on Tiger. They continue to be supported by Firefox 3.6 until that product reaches the end of service, and that is still months away, Aas assures these people. In short, Tiger support will be dropped (if they decide to) only after the next major version of Firefox is released. Aas adds that, by dropping support for Tiger, Mozilla would not lose a considerable market share either, yet does note that Mozilla has always been one of the last third-party software providers to continue supporting older Mac OS X releases.

“Adding 10.4 support back to mozilla-central would mean switching back to ATSUI from Core Text, switching back to gcc-4.0 from gcc-4.2, and doing a bit of porting work for code that has been added to the tree since we dropped support for 10.4,” Aas continues to explain, suggesting it would be a useless drag to continue supporting Tiger, when most customers will be able to run better versions of the browser, these people being Mozilla’s top priority when it comes to Firefox.

Complex text input (IME), out-of-process plugins, printing, native menus, and Core Animation are just more areas where Tiger support consumes Mozilla’s time, makes them error-prone, and/or limits the company’s capabilities, Aas explains. To top it all, “Apple's upcoming JavaPlugin2 will not support Mac OS X 10.4,” the developer reveals. “We are planning to make the decision to remove 10.4 support final and remove the code from the tree. If you have any strong objections please let us know now,” Mozilla’s man concludes.

Softpedia would also like to see what its readers think about this move. Clearly, there are a number of Tiger users out there that won’t be too happy to hear the news, but it’s just how it always goes. Yours truly has a PPC Mac running Tiger at home and, whenever Firefox is running, it works extremely slow. I figured why hope for updates, when this is all this machine can do? We simply need to let go sometimes. Plus, the browser isn’t going anywhere. The current version will always be available for download, and it’s packed full of features already. You can’t ask for more of a machine / OS that can’t deliver, can you?

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LG LU9400 Arena Max Packs a 1GHz Snapdragon

LG KM555e Clubby goes to Russia

south Korean mobile phone maker LG Electronics is reportedly working on a series of new high-end devices that should arrive on the market during the ongoing year, and an LG LU9400 Arena Max is one of them. The phone emerged into the wild before, some of you might already know that, and now a series of photos with it are available, along with some more details on what it will pack inside.

One of the main features of the upcoming device is a powerful processor that will offer it the possibility to run fast and smooth, namely the already popular Snapdragon CPU from Qualcomm. Beside this 1GHz chip, the handset is also rumored to come around with Wi-Fi connectivity options, as well as with Bluetooth capabilities, not to mention a built-in GPS receiver.

Moreover, it seems that LG will also include a 3.5-inch touchscreen display into the mix, making the LG LU9400 Arena Max even more appealing than expected. There are chances that the device will make an appearance at the upcoming MWC show in Barcelona next week, and we might learn at that time where and when it becomes available for purchase too.
LG KM555e Clubby
Enlarge picture
However, until then, rumor has it that it should land in South Korea soon, and that other markets around the world will enjoy it afterwards.

In related news, we learn that LG Electronics has just launched a new device in Russia, namely the LG KM555e Clubby. The handset is said to hit the shelves as an “all-touchscreen music phone,” while also including a 3-megapixel camera, Dolby Mobile tech, a high-resolution on that touchscreen display, and three available color options, namely black, purple and silver. As for the price tag, it should run for around $329 (9,990 rubles), which doesn't sound that bad in the end. Unfortunately, there are no details on whether the phone might arrive on other markets around the world too, but more info on this is likely to emerge in the near future, so stay tuned.

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Download Free Windows 7 IbarraReal Font

The Don Quixote font

Microsoft is providing users of its operating system, including of the latest version of the platform Windows 7, with a free font, in addition to the items shipping by default with the operating system. In this regard, end users running Windows 7, but also Windows Vista and Windows XP can grab the Ibero-American cultural font IbarraReal from the Microsoft Download Center free of charge. The Redmond company has chosen the IbarraReal font for its intimate connection with the Spanish culture, namely to Don Quixote.

“IbarraReal is a public-domain font of Ibero-American character, created in 2005 as a revival of the types cast by Jerónimo Gil for the Royal Spanish Academy's edition of Don Quixote, printed in Madrid by Joaquín Ibarra in 1780. Its elegant design mixes tradition and modernity and is a genuine badge of Spanish culture,” Microsoft stated.

Originally designed by Francisco Javier de Santiago Palomares, the IbarraReal typeface was chosen by Joaquín Ibarra for his edition of Don Quixote published in 1780, after being commissioned by the Royal Spanish Academy. The Redmond company has essentially managed to bring back to life the font which was at the heart of the 1780 edition of the Don Quixote classic story. As of February 2010, Microsoft has made the font available for free to all users of Windows.

“There are several ways to install fonts on Windows 7. The easiest way to install a font is to double-click on a font file to open the font preview and select 'Install'. You can also right-click on a font file, and then select 'Install'. Another option is to install fonts with the Fonts Control Panel. Follow these steps to open the Fonts Control Panel. Select 'Control Panel' from the 'Start' menu, then select the 'Appearance and Personalization' category. Select 'Fonts'. Drag a font file and drop it into the Fonts Control Panel,” Microsoft revealed.

There are no less than four downloads in OTF format: IbarraReal-Bold, IbarraReal-BoldItalic, IbarraReal-Italic and IbarraReal-Regular.

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Will You Become the Top Dog?

Sunday, February 7, 2010

This is a new and exciting type of Warcraft III map

The rules of the game are very simple. You will have to use strategy and strength to outplay your opponents. Each round will begin with each of you voting for a player to go to the Dog Pound. However, the nominated person may still have a chance to survive, if he can defeat one of the several available challenges.

If the person chosen by the team happens to lose his challenge, he will immediately be sent to the Dog Pound. If he should win, then he can choose one of the others who voted for him to take his place.

At the end of the game, the person who survives through the first 5 rounds will become Top Dog and will have to face off against the Dog Pound in a final battle for supremacy.

Your votes are invisible to the other players. To vote a player, just move the shadow
to his colored circle. If you do not vote, you will automatically cast a vote for yourself. You will have only 30 seconds to vote at your disposal, so pay attention.

The first event is a test of survival. You must outlast the undead onslaught for 1 minute and 30 seconds to claim victory. Watch your step and keep running.

The second event is simple. Two players, the one voted out and a random one, will compete against each other to score 18 points. To earn a point, walk into one of the beacons in front of you - some worth more points than others.

To win the third event, the contestants must successfully capture the enemy flag, while protecting his own. Once a flag is captured, bring it to your beacon and you will win the event. To add a little fun, every ten seconds a random neutral unit will spawn in the arena. To take control of the neutral unit, you have to right click it in seven seconds. Otherwise it will become an enemy to both players. The contestants have 2 minutes and 30 seconds to capture the opponent flag.

In the forth event, the contestant must protect his town from pirates. Pirates will be under control of the remaining contestants not yet in the Dog Pound. The event will end in victory for the contestant if all buildings remain after 2 minutes.

In the fifth event, you must get your horse to the end of the finish line before your enemy does. To speed up, kill enemies before you opponent. With every enemy killed, his horse will be moved back two spaces.

The final event consists in a test of knowledge. Be careful because the Dog Pound can still claim victory if they can defeat you. If the Dog Pound successfully answers 3 out of 5 questions, then they will win. However, it is your choice who is asked the question, and once chosen, they cannot answer future questions. There are several categories, not all related to Warcraft.

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Save a Threatened World from Extinction While Trying to Find Out Your Own Identity

Become the Master of Elements

The legend begins in a small village during the Second Great War.... The fate of all existence hangs by a thread as the seeds of corruption threaten the Seasonal equilibrium. You are Commander Ihab Gravano, the unswerving sword of justice and a man struggling with his true identity in a land without any. The mission is simple enough, but fate can sometimes conceal the truth.

Commander Ihab Gravano is the only expedition force from the mainland who survived the journey to Iskan through the storms and hell that has once again surfaced due to the imbalance in the Seasonal equilibrium.


Commander Gravano cannot be slain by normal means, as when his health reaches zero, he will be revived shortly afterwards. Dying often and easily is a bad sign. Also with each death, a gold penalty will be extracted, and you will lose valuable time as well, and some scenarios require speed to accomplish.

The first thing you notice about this map is the awesome storyline that was written with much thought and detail. Most of it is skippable so you won't get bored. The music is great as it combines internal and external sound tracks. You will be able to choose a track or allow the computer to choose for you.

Quests will require actual logic to complete. Very few were designed to be linear and require simply fighting from Point A to Point B. You need to talk to the villagers, experiment with items, and explore to find the answers. There is also a costly Oracle for the harder quests who will give very blunt hints.

Through questing, you will uncover Commander Gravano's destiny as the Master of Elements. Each element (when learned) unlocks specific items, or allows you to type a keyword to trigger an ability. These abilities range from wind's hurricane to fire's meteor storm, with many in between.

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Download Free Windows 7 RTM Lacy Hearts Theme

Saturday, February 6, 2010

From Microsoft

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, Microsoft is helping Windows 7 customers celebrate love right on their desktops. In this regard, the Redmond company has made available for download a new desktop theme designed to integrate seamlessly into the desktop of their Windows 7-power computers. The Lacy Hearts is, as the software giant has put it, “A dreamy theme for Valentine’s.” The theme pack is available as a free download via the Windows Personalization gallery website, along with the vast majority of themes that Microsoft has made available for the successor of Windows Vista.

Themes are personalization items unique to Windows 7, and not available for previous releases of Windows operating systems. Essentially, the packs feature multiple wallpapers, which can be scheduled to swap one another at specific intervals, but also color and sound schemes for the platform. This is the case of Lacy Hearts.

Users must, however, be warned that the theme is in no way tailored to all audiences. There are enough pink, or shades of pink, and heart symbols in the theme to last you for a lifetime. Of course, the various nuances of pink might actually be just what Cupid ordered for Windows 7 users that have found love. Nonetheless, I still believe that it is a tad too much for perhaps at least half of Windows 7 users, especially those that would much rather opt for Windows 7 themes involving content from Ferrari, Gears of War or Forza Motorsport.

While the Redmond company is using the Windows Personalization Gallery and the Windows 7 desktop as vehicles for serving brand advertising via Microsoft Advertising, with such partners as Coca Cola, Pepsi, and Porsche, fact is that the software giant is also delivering generic content. The Windows Personalization Gallery has been steadily growing with additional content, and it is a great place to start for users that want to customize their Windows 7 desktops.

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