14 DAY TRIAL // In tandem with the launch of iOS 4.0.2 for iPhone and iPod touch, Apple has released a new firmware version for iPad owners, with the purpose of patching two security holes that are present in all devices running iOS.
The Support area of Apple’s web site offers detailed information regarding the contents of iOS 3.2.2 for iPad, with Apple noting that the update “Fixes security vulnerability associated with viewing malicious PDF files,” just as iOS 4.0.2 does for iPhone and iPod touch customers.
According to the company behind the Mac operating system, products compatible with iOS 3.2.2 are the only two available iPad models - iPad (the standard WiFi version) and iPad WiFi + 3G.
Visitors of Apple’s Support section are then taken to knowledge base article HT4292, which mentions the two vulnerabilities patched by Apple. Softpedia readers can learn more on this from our previous post, here.
As reported a while back, the two holes allowed a team of hackers to enable the JailbreakMe.com tool for iOS device owners. Jailbreaking allows users to download applications that haven’t been approved by Apple, as well as to perform various tweaks to the iOS interface, such as setting up a different theme.
The JailbreakMe tool relies on these very vulnerabilities to enable iOS customers to jailbreak. While Softpedia does not encourage such hacks, those who wish to keep their jailbreak should not update to this new firmware version just yet.
To download and install iOS 3.2.2, iPad owners must connect their tablet to a Mac or PC running iTunes 9.1 or later, allow the software to show the availability of the update, and choose to let iTunes download and install the software.
iPad owners can also download the iOS 3.2.2 IPSW file manually and restore to it at a later time in iTunes. This method involves holding down the Alt (Option) key when choosing to install the software.