What is Digg?142 Comments
- str3ama, on 08/07/2008, -9/+131Dugg to see what happens - will Digger's hate for under-handed sneakiness from Companies beat out Apple fanboyism? Will someone come up with a long and diluted explanation for why Apple doing this should not be seen as a threat?
- bjornski, on 08/08/2008, -9/+69But if Microsoft did this, it would be horrible and evil.
You guys are funny. - megamod, on 08/07/2008, -9/+53no! Apple is a great company. they just did this because they're so great. If there's an app that is acting like a virus they can uninstall it before it causes any harm...
*this is the point where you fall asleep*
... AND THAT'S WHY APPLE IS THE MEANING OF LIFE!!! - sjmulder, on 08/08/2008, -8/+42The file was found somewhere in the Core Location framework. It is very well possible that this is only related to blacklisting the use of Core Location by malicious (or other unwanted) apps. There is no evidence that the iPhone actually delete applications on that list. Everything so far except that there is some kind of blacklist that somehow seems related to Core Location is pure speculation.
- adml_shake, on 08/08/2008, -5/+34This was on the front page a while ago already, and most of the iFanboys were rushing to apples defense.
- gllopc, on 08/08/2008, -11/+31 a·larm·ist (ə-lär'mĭst) n. A person who needlessly alarms or attempts to alarm others, as by inventing or spreading false or exaggerated rumors of impending danger or catastrophe.
This comment may not be popular, but Digg seems to be full of alarmists as of late. - estvir, on 08/08/2008, -3/+22You make it sound as if this is something new to Apple. I'm not surprised at all at this news.
- RaspberryTang, on 08/07/2008, -18/+35Better Title: Big Brother hits Apple!
- BobMysterioso, on 08/08/2008, -0/+16Moron, its a reference to Apple's 1984 commercial.
- david76, on 08/08/2008, -4/+19If you go to the URL in the article, it displays the following:
{ "Date Generated" = "2008-08-08 00:41:13 Etc/GMT"; "BlackListedApps" = { "com.mal.icious" = { "Description" = "Being really bad!"; "App Name" = "Malicious"; "Date Revoked" = "2004-02-01 08:00:00 Etc/GMT"; }; }; }
Certainly, this service could be used for good as well as evil. - nthitz, on 08/08/2008, -9/+24Read the real headline: "Secret URL May Allow Apple to Delete Your iPhone Apps Remotely"
MAY allow, now allows. Don't make ***** up - BlackCow, on 08/08/2008, -0/+14Kind of seems like... 1984?
- Khast, on 08/08/2008, -4/+17If Microsoft did something like that, Microsoft fanboys would be in arms about it. It would be like World War 3 with anti-trust lawsuits, and blog spam.
If Linux did it, people would decompile it, remove the offending code, and 5 new variations of Linux would arrise within a week.
When Apple does it, Apple Fanboys just sit back and mindlessly exclaim "It's for our protection" - Kingolis, on 08/08/2008, -1/+13 Jailbroken phones can just add a line to their /etc/hosts file and no longer have to worry about the chance of their precious apps being deleted by apple.
##
# Host Database
#
# localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
# when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
##
127.0.0.1 localhost
255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
::1 localhost
fe80::1%lo0 localhost
127.0.0.1 iphone-services.apple.com - inactive, on 08/08/2008, -0/+10The guy who found it is a known iPhone firmware hacker.
- maxbowman, on 08/08/2008, -12/+21I would think this would be in case somebody built a Trojan into a app or something, thus they could kill the offending app before any real damage is done.
- inactive, on 08/08/2008, -4/+13Apple has always been a control freek.
For most mactards they love what apple gives them because they are told to.
Now that more than mactards use the iphone, people see the control Apple wants over everything, every app., and every revenue stream. - merreborn, on 08/08/2008, -0/+9Assuming it polls this URL on a regular basis, it's as simple as connecting your iPhone to the internet via a wifi, through a logging proxy.
- MrTito, on 08/08/2008, -1/+9Addressing your argument...
Maybe Apple should use more scrutiny at the app store level then...? If they're controlling the distribution channel from end-to-end (which they are) then it's their fault that a malicious app made it to a user's phone, period. They don't need a "nifty feature" on your phone to undo damage - they need more vigilance to make sure it doesn't enter their channel in the first place. - elitemrp, on 08/08/2008, -1/+8Anyone stop to think this might be for enterprise customers? They already have remote-wipe, maybe this is just to allow remote-app-wipe so enterprises can force delete inhouse developed apps from employees. Perhaps the app has a big bug and they need to kill it until they fix it, or to just delete discontinued apps, or maybe just to delete non work-related apps on employee phones (games for example). Or maybe Apple is just evil and they want to rip Super Monkey Ball from us when we're almost at the last level.
Just a thought. - sononame, on 08/08/2008, -1/+8I'm guessing they could make more money by renting some apps instead of selling them out right.
- davidwasman, on 08/08/2008, -14/+201. This already made front page...TWICE
2. Stop being paranoid. Apple isn't being big brother.
3. Apps which are illegally installed do not go in the same folder that this 'feature' deletes from.
...but of course, I will get dugg down for being a voice of reason all because the Apple bashers need something to hate Apple for once again.
Hey guys, here's a f*cking hint - If you hate it so much, remove the f*cking Apple news option from your digg profile...otherwise, shut up. - richardhenry, on 08/08/2008, -1/+7What? People are actually even starting to ask questions about this? It's a great idea. Just because it's good for Apple's PR, doesn't mean it's bad for you? I mean what, you want to keep your malicious apps?!
**HEADLINE: First virus on the iPhone — 10th of August**
Apple recalled the application from all of their devices within two hours, and immediately removed it from the app store. They provided refunds to all the people that purchased it.
OR:
Millions affected by first iPhone virus. Emails lost. Calls dropped. Phones bricked. Kittens dead. - estvir, on 08/08/2008, -7/+13Because this is Apple, when you buy one of their products you do so either knowingly or unknowingly that you're only suppose to use it the way almighty and glorious Steve Jobs deems reasonable and what he thinks is best for you.
- saranagati, on 08/08/2008, -4/+10You obviously don't know much about viruses.
- LR2_, on 08/08/2008, -1/+7http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8
- asforme, on 08/08/2008, -3/+8Explain to me why exactly they need to have such an invasive response system when they require being able to examine every program before it can even become available.
- rromansanturio, on 08/08/2008, -0/+5fanboy...
- arcticblue, on 08/08/2008, -1/+6They do allow you to be phished. All you have to do is ignore the warning.
- JohnFrum, on 08/08/2008, -2/+7Nope. They've build in a model for software as service. In the future they will rent you apps and turn them off for you when the time is up.
That's the real reason. - MasterGrief, on 08/08/2008, -1/+6Pointing out something like that might get you killed, gllopc!
- saranagati, on 08/08/2008, -0/+4good point i always forget that they don't come jail broken.
- inactive, on 08/08/2008, -3/+7How the hell did someone figure this out?
- Khast, on 08/08/2008, -0/+4Nope, you are still liable for the access. (AT&T had similar situations arrise with the iPhone 1.0...some incurring $3,000+ phone bills when the user roamed.)
- OutlawSamurai, on 08/07/2008, -19/+23"Presumably, that would allow Apple to remotely de-authorize those apps, or perhaps even delete them." Note the speculatory keywords of "presumably" and "perhaps."
- inactive, on 08/08/2008, -4/+8Like that can't ever be broken though, hackers will always find a way around security.
- inactive, on 08/08/2008, -2/+6Um has that happened with blackberry through RIM network or MS Mobile?
Um No, because that's not how a virus spreads unless you have a very very unprotected OS.
Apple? - Trilogy, on 08/08/2008, -0/+4Why can't they "make ***** up" now when you people can make those "Apple is going to make a death star!" rumors every week? Just because it would reflect Apple as it is, a naughty party like MS?
- Kelmon, on 08/08/2008, -0/+3Thrilling. Now all we need is some facts rather than idle speculation and we can have a proper debate on the subject. Remote diddling with your device is, of course, a bad thing but until there is actual confirmation of what this is for (apparently it's for stopping malicious applications from reporting your position rather than removing them) there doesn't seem to be anything to warrant some sort of privacy crusade. If the evidence is anything to go by, this probably protects your privacy more than anything else.
- OutlawSamurai, on 08/08/2008, -1/+4And Daring Fireball brings sensibility to the table yet again... http://daringfireball.net/2008/08/core_location_bl ...
- Azerael, on 08/08/2008, -0/+3If you're dumb enough to install an 'evil' app you deserve it.
- inactive, on 08/08/2008, -4/+7For now all the circumstantial evidence is pointing at this being true. Yes circumstantial but can't be ignored.
Now that its out I'll bet that this "harmless" code disappears from its current location after the next update (2.02?) and gets secretly pushed to some other part of the core and hidden better.
Hey Apple got anything to say on this? Yeah didn't think so. - clyde2801, on 08/08/2008, -0/+3It does...that way you're only Apple's bitch, and not Apple AND AT&T's bitch...
- BurgerPunch, on 08/08/2008, -1/+4nope, you have to flash the firmware to run unsigned apps
- inactive, on 08/08/2008, -3/+6Its apple. it will be used for evil.
- Kelmon, on 08/08/2008, -0/+3Given that it seems to be there to prevent malicious applications from accessing the GPS facilities the headline is definitely alarming. There's nothing here to suggest that the application will be deleted but rather it won't be able to communicate your location.
- intellimouse, on 08/08/2008, -0/+2Digg Sucks. News at 11.
- wilhel1812, on 08/08/2008, -0/+2isn't that what companies is about? earning money?
- dmcbride6, on 08/08/2008, -0/+2Has it been confirmed this is NOT actually part of remote wipe technology for exchange? Remote wipe is a necessity for most enterprise users and is infact a way to protect us - not invade privacy.
Even if it is Apple's version of remote wipe, this would be a welcome addition. If my phone gets stolen, the last thing I want is people snooping around my data. - PullingTeeth, on 08/08/2008, -5/+7A lot of press recently for how Apple's iPhone leaves consumers open to getting ripped off. And no, not all press is good press.
-
Show 51 - 100 of 143 discussions
Browsing Digg on your phone just got easier with our enhancements to the 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is