Windows

Apple has released a Windows-only iTunes update, bringing the software to version 12.1.1. The update primarily fixes a list of bugs, including audio playback issues and Outlook syncing problems. Improved compatibility with screen readers is another change touted in the release notes.

Windows and Mac users received the 12.1 update three weeks ago, which added a Notification Center widget for OS X Yosemite. Apple has not updated iTunes for OS X since then. When it comes to iTunes 12, the jump from 11 brought significant changes to Apple's flagship entertainment package.

A new breed of malware has been found infecting Macs and iOS devices, spread primarily by compromised apps found in the Chinese Maiyadi App Store. Researchers at Palo Alto Networks have reported that hundreds of thousands of users could be affected. Named WireLurker, the malware also has a Windows variant and could be the largest scale infection of its type.

WireLurker lurks on a computer and when an iOS device is connected via USB, it attacks the mobile device. Private data such as messages and contacts can be compromised. iOS devices do not need to be jailbroken to be vulnerable. While WireLurker may not be a concern for those who never use third-party app stores, checking for infection is relatively simple. Apple has already taken steps to combat the malware by blocking the affected apps.

Windows users can enjoy the same quick untethered jailbreak for iOS 5.1.1 devices as those with Apple computers. Absinthe 2.0 is here thanks to the efforts of Chronic Dev Team. Once jailbroken, your iOS device is free to install software from third-party developers distributed outside of the App Store.

The latest jailbreak solution works with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch 3rd and 4th generation, original iPad, older iPad 2 models and iPad 3 running iOS 5.1.1. Support for newer iPad 2 models (iPad2,4) is in the works.

The Absinthe jailbreak tool for Windows is here. Chronic Dev Team released a new version of Absinthe that not only corrects some early bugs in the process, but will bring the full iPhone 4S and iPad 2 jailbreak to Windows users. The solution comes from pod2g and a "dream team" of iOS hackers working around the clock.

Absinthe is fully untethered and can be installed on mobile devices running Apple's latest firmware (iOS 5.0.1). Development efforts continue despite the successful release of Absinthe, with the iPhone Dev-Team working on new tools including an updated redsn0w coming soon.

Apple executives are probably waking up this morning feeling a bit 'foot in mouth'. During the wee hours of the morning here in the US, a picture surfaced on Gizmodo UK of an AT&T store iPhone display that had to be rebooted. Well, of course we all could have guessed that the displays were running off PCs which might occasionally need a restart. What most wouldn't have guessed is that the PCs behind the iPhone displays were running Microsoft Windows XP.