MuscleNerd

Apple released iOS 7.0.4 to fix a FaceTime bug that caused "calls to fail for some users." Soon after the release, @iH8sn0w tweeted that the update “has no security changes.” iH8sn0w later added that the last few iOS updates "have not been directed as patching anything jb-related," and that Apple is probably waiting for the iOS 7 jailbreak to be released before they patch any exploits.

Soon after iH8sn0w's tweet, @MuscleNerd also confirmed that iOS 7.0.4 is jailbreak safe, but advised users to “avoid it" if they plan to jailbreak in the future. Apple's previous OS update, 7.0.3, was also found to be safe for jailbreakers by the evad3rs, who are the team of hackers working on the iOS 7 jailbreak.

It looks like the jailbreaking team who brought us evasi0n is getting closer to cracking iOS 7. Planetbeing tweeted this afternoon: "We're still working hard on the jailbreak. May have all the pieces at this point (but not certain yet)."

This does not mean a public jailbreak is right around the corner, but it does show progress is being made.

This is great news for jailbreakers who are waiting to upgrade to iOS 7. The last public jailbreak was patched by iOS 6.1.3 in March, leaving millions of Apple users stranded at iOS 6.1.2.

iPhone Dev Team member MuscleNerd has confirmed that an untethered jailbreak for iOS 5.1.1 will be released this week. Over the weekend, pod2g tweeted that "something big" was going to happen at the Hack In The Box security conference in Amsterdam being held May 21 through May 25. He later added that a public release was only a few days away. On Monday, MuscleNerd released an iOS 5.1.1 "info sheet" that revealed how the iPhone 3GS and iPod 3G made the jailbreak cut.

The upcoming jailbreak will be released via multiple tools just like the iOS 5.0.1 jailbreak was (e.g. cinject, RedSn0w, and Absinthe). All current iOS devices will be supported except for AppleTV 3. For a complete list of supported devices click here. MuscleNerd's "info sheet" is posted below.

Apple isn't playing nice with the jailbreaking community and has recently started blocking devices from restoring to older firmware. If you accidently updated to 5.0.1 and want to restore your device, hacker iH8sn0w has a new solution for you. iFaith v1.4 allows you to save your iOS device’s SHSH blobs which should allow you to downgrade your device in the future.

Unfortunately it doesn't support A5 devices. Meaning if you recently purchased an iPhone 4S, or upgraded to iOS 5.0.1, you're still out of luck for now. A4 owners are being urged by the jailbreaking community to download the latest update of iFaith and to save their SHSH blobs immediately.

Apple is currently working on iOS 5.0.1 beta 2 to solve the iPhone 4S battery issues. As of now the new firmware is only available to registered developers, but iPhone Dev Team member, MuscleNerd, let us know that it still works with the current redsn0w jailbreak.

MuscleNerd tweeted: "The latest redsn0w will JB today's 5.0 1b2, but point it at either 5.0 or 5.01 IPSW for now. (Apple's being ruthless with betas!)"

The Dev Team recently released a tethered version of redsn0w for iOS 5. However, there is a simple solution to "semi-tether" your jailbroken device. The SemiTether package ensures you will not be stuck with an iPhone paperweight during a crash or unexpected reboot. You can read more about tethered vs. untethered iPhone jailbreaking here.