14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is working to fix several bugs in iOS, including the recently discovered location tracking bugs, all of which will be addressed in version 4.3.3 of the mobile operating system. A source with ties to Apple claims to have already obtained the iOS 4.3.3 IPSW file.
According to BGR’s Apple connects, the update is due out in a couple of weeks and it will feature restrictions to backup timing, the size of the location database, the actual backup locations, and more.
According to the source, the changelog, so far, is:
- The update will no longer back up the location database to iTunes. - The size of the location database will be reduced. - The location database will be deleted entirely when Location Services are turned off. - Battery life improvements. - iPod bug fixes.
For those who are not very familiar with the location tracking bug surrounding the most recent versions of the iOS, Apple has been negligent in allowing the software to store information related to the user’s location.
Said information was not encrypted, ended up stored in iOS backup files on the computer used to sync the iPhone / iPad / iPod touch device, and could easily be interpreted by software specifically designed to apply the data onto a map.
Accused of intentionally storing this information, Apple recently issued an official statement on the matter acknowledging that all the confusion was caused by an oversight on behalf of the iOS development team.
The Cupertino-based giant also confirmed that all these issues would be addressed with a new iOS release in the weeks to follow.
Apple promised that the update would reduce the size of the crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspot and cell tower database cached on the iPhone; cease backing up this cache; and delete this cache entirely when Location Services is turned off.