Mac

Passwords are an important part of having an online presence. I always tell friends and family that you should never ever have the same password for all of your accounts. (Do they listen? Probably not.) Either way, having the same password means if someone gets hold of one of your accounts, they could potentially have access to all of them. Having separate passwords is the best idea but then comes keeping track of all of them. Apps like 1Password and DataVault set out to solve that problem.

I took a look at both of these popular password management apps and pitted them against each other. Follow along to see which one came out on top!

ipswDownloader is a shining example of a great utility that allows jailbreakers to download firmware (.ipsw) files easily and quickly. On top of that, it also tells you what jailbreak utility you should use in order to jailbreak (and/or unlock) your device. This is especially convenient if you're using something like PwnageTool that requires you to have an ipsw file in order to create a custom firmware bundle. This is highly common among unlockers.

This can be great for beginner jailbreakers that may feel a bit overwhelmed by the amount of jailbreak tools available. "What jailbreak utility do I need to use?" is probably the number one question we get asked here at TiPb. I really think this tool will come in handy for anyone from beginners to advanced users that really just want an easy and convenient way to download firmware files. Hit the jump for a download link and a quick walk-through.

As you can see from the tweet above, the Dev Team has updated their popular PwnageTool to support an untethered jailbreak under iOS 4.3.2. You now have the option of using either PwnageTool or redsn0w to jailbreak iOS 4.3.2.

We have experienced some issues with jailbreaking iOS 4.3.2. Some users say they have had issues as well while others are perfectly fine. I'm personally staying on 4.2.1 for now since I have no compelling reason to upgrade.

TiPb is hearing that Apple might just be set to take on government and enterprise a little bit more aggressively by adding FIPS 140-2 Cryptographic Modules to iPhone, iPad, and the Mac.

Apple announced today that the next version of their desktop operating system, Mac OS X Lion -- the one that takes iPhone and iPad features back to the Mac -- is now available for developers to preview.

“The iPad has inspired a new generation of innovative features in Lion,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Developers are going to love Mission Control and Launchpad, and can now start adding great new Lion features like full screen, gestures, Versions and Auto Save to their own apps.”

There are the features they've mentioned before, including the Mission Control system that replaces/unifies Spaces and Exposé, Launchpad which lets you have a grid of apps like iOS, full screen apps also like iOS, more multitouch gestures like iOS (sensing a trend?), and some new ones like a new, iPad-inspired version of Mail, AirDrop which sounds like AirPlay for files, Resume which is saved-state for Mac OS, Auto-Save, a new File Vault, and more.

No mention of 10.7, does that mean Apple thinks version numbers aren't even developer-facing information anymore? Press release after the break and feel free to speculate if we'll see things AirDrop show up for iOS at next week's iPad event...

[Apple.com]

<img src="/sites/imore.com/files/styles/400w400h/public/images/stories/2011/01/ipad_speed.png" alt="Apple to adopt 10Gbps LightPeak soon?" title=Apple to adopt 10Gbps LightPeak soon?" width="297" height="400" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-53052" />

Intel's new ultra-high speed, 10Gbps LightPeak connector might just be adopted by Apple soon, and under their own branded name, according to CNET's sources. That's more than 4x faster than USB 2.0's 480Mbps, which is currently supported by iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

What Apple products do you own? If you're reading TiPb then chances are high you have an iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Apple TV, but what about iPods nano shuffle and classic? What about iMacs and Macs Mini and Pro? What about MacBooks Pro and and Air? Airports Express and Extreme? Time Capsules and Cinema Displays?

Apple products spawn like tribbles I tell you, really expensive tribbles! I know I have more than I ever thought I would. What about you, what Apple products do you call your own?

Apple's long-awaited Mac App Store has gone live! The New Mac App Store, part of Apple's taking iPhone and iPad innovation "Back to the Mac" comes with OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.6, which is available as a software update on your Mac.

Some of the apps available at launch include old Mac favorites -- and iOS favorites as well:

• The iWork '09 suite
• The iLife '11 suite
• Twitter for Mac
• Flight Control
• Angry Birds
• Things
• Aperture 3
• Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4

So are you going to be using the new Mac App Store? Let us know what you think in the comments.

[Apple]

Apple released firmware updates for both the AirPort Wi-Fi router and Time Capsule router + hard drive combo today to version 7.5.2, in part to fix AirPlay bugs that prevented some users from properly streaming content from their iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to their Apple TV.

• General fixes to Wi-Fi base station stability
• General fixes with USB interoperability including connection to external storage devices
• Fixes some issues with NAT port mapping settings
• Disables TKIP security with 802.11n rates per the Wi-Fi Alliance specifications

Apple also updated the Airport Utility for both Mac and Windows to version 5.5.2.

Screens from Edovia is a new, gorgeously designed, super simple VNC client that brings your Windows, Mac, or Linux desktop to your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. I had the good fortune to test drive it through the beta cycle and it really is the closest thing to a Back to my Mac-style, "it just works" experience on iOS. Features include:

• Universal - Screens will run on both iPhone and iPad - one app for both devices.
• Easy to Use - Screens is the easiest, most user friendly VNC client for iOS.
• Secure - Screens can connect to your computer through a SSH Tunnel so your session is encrypted and safe.
• Pull-to-Dock - Your Dock is hidden? No problem! Screens can make it appear with a simple flick!
• Multi-Touch - Screens supports many multi-touch features your already use on your trackpad.
• Screens Connect - Make your computer available from anywhere. Easy as flicking a switch! No messy router setup. (Requires OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard)

It's on introductory sale right now so if you act fast, you can save $10 off the regular price.

Screenshots after the break. If you want to run your desktop -- or server room -- from your lounge chair, and do it in pixel-perfect style, check out Screens. And after you do, come back and tell me what you think.

[$14.99 on sale - iTunes link]