In order to use Cydia, the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch needs to be jailbroken. As you may already know, jailbreaking an i-device voids its warranty- which in fact is the only reason why people hesitate in doing it.

How to Install and Run Cydia 1.1.4 on your i-Device?

The latest version of Cydia is Cydia 1.1.4. Follow the steps given below in order to install it on your iOS gadget-

1. You device needs to be jailbroken for Cydia to run successfully on it. Use any of the available jailbreak tools like redsn0w, greenpois0n, limera1n, PwnageTool etc. Some of the tools like Absinthe ask the client if he wants to install it while jailbreaking the device itself
2. Now, download Cydia 1.1.4 from any of the several available links. For your convenience, you can follow http://www.mediafire.com/?h3y5caiq3vk1f9b to download it
3. This file will have a .deb extension. After you are done with the downloading part, see to it that your device is connected to the internet
4. Now, go to the Cydia app on your gadget, say iPhone. When you run Cydia for the first time, it “Initializes File System”. When it is done, the app will first exit and then restart.
5. Next, screen will display a window asking who you are. Choose accordingly, say User



6. Cydia will now update its packages and will download new packages database index. You will be able to see the progress of download on top of the screen.



7. Next, the following screen will appear. Click on “Complete Upgrade” and then hit confirm, else you might face errors in app later



8. The process will take a while to complete. After it does, click on “Close Cydia (Restart)”



9. Viola! You are ready to start with the fun part!

Top 5 Cydia Packages/Cydia Apps

Speaking technically, jailbroken iOS devices receive a graphical user interface via Cydia. It makes use of “advanced packaging tool” repositories, which in turn prohibits the dependence of gadget on single host. It consists of stable packages and has the capability to introduce new repositories into the already-existing repository.

Most of the packages offered through Cydia modify iOS interface and apps or provide extension to it. Most popular ones are-

1. Winterboard: It allows the user to “skin” application icons and iOS interface with themes. Downloaded themes are stored inside winterboard. You can change themes whenever you want.



2. Barrel: This application permits you to switch between pages with style. Instead of boring and simple slide transition to next screen, Barrel enables a user to add animation to transition. While turning a page, the icons may toss as if they were placed on sides of a 3D cube. Fading effect can also be added.



3. iFile: It is available for $4 at Cydia Store (http://cydia.saurik.com/store/). The app enables a user to gain complete access to all files present in the jailbroken device. It is an excellent tool for file customization and advance management of gadget. iFile speeds up the navigation process and enables user to open files in multiple tabs.
4. Wi-Fi Sync: It is available for $9.99 at Cydia Store. Wi-Fi Sync eliminates the need of using a USB cable while synchronizing iPhone with iTunes. It allows a user to do it wirelessly.
5. Android Lock: Both free and full versions of this app are available. This makes setting a passcode greater fun. With its help, you can create passcodes in Android style, in a pattern. It also enables you to add new themes.

Enjoy using Cydia!

No one has yet noticed that with the arrival of iPhone 5 in June, a hell lot of upgrade eligibility issues for AT&T and Verizon users (who have been using iPhones already) will also arrive. As first considered by Beatweek Magazine , AT&T allows its customers to upgrade pricing only 12 or 18 months after they have purchased their last iPhone. In fact, several other factors like size of their monthly bill or how often a user makes late payments also influence their eligibility for an upgrade. Now, noticing the fact that iPhone 4S arrived in October last year, if iPhone 5 releases in June this year, a time gap of only 9 months between the two launches will exist. This would probably mean that no one in the United States will be able to purchase iPhone 5 at its advertised pricing on the day of launch.

Similar is the case with Verizon customers. Verizon launched iPhone 4 in spring of last year (which is 8 months after AT&T launched it). It follows a standard upgrade eligibility policy of 20 months, which means that a person who bought iPhone or iPhone 4S will not be able to purchase iPhone 5 at its standard price after its launch. So who exactly will be eligible to use an iPhone 5? Well, AT&T users who bagged an iPhone 4 early enough to complete required time period for eligibility, iPhone 3GS users and Android and BlackBerry customers who are planning to take a switch to an iPhone will be eligible to buy the next generation iPhone. However, unfortunately, none of the iPhone 4S users will get to enjoy the next generation iPhone at its standard pricing on its launch.

Solution? Well, the best way out is to stick with whatever you have right now. Apple offers new iPhone software system updates to users of older generation iPhones for free. All new features of iPhone 5 will be available on iPhone 4S through these upgrades, while only some of them will get down to slower iPhone 4. Else, you can wait for some time until you satisfy the eligibility criteria for upgrade. One can also buy iPhone 5 by paying $200-$250 extra (as overage fees) and later can sell their current iPhones in an online auction. For your information, iPhone 4 still has a value of over $300 on ebay. In case a customer falls few months short of fulfilling eligibility criteria, he can call up his network operator (Verizon or AT&T) and threaten to switch to some other network unless it gets ready to match his eligibility date with iPhone 5 release date. Believe me! This has worked before!

However, in an interview with CNET , Charles Annis (DisplaySearch analyst) said iPad 3 has fair chances of utilizing Sharp-manufactured IGZO technology for its display screen. On being asked his opinion about Sharp still competing for iPad 3 display screen, he said that the company has been producing IGZO displays in huge masses and he doesn’t find a reason why its competitor LG display (LGD) would be accepted easily by Apple. According to him, as IGZO flat panel displays are not available in market at present, if iPad 3 comes out with one, it would be making a major debut of this technology. He strongly believes that Apple will launch iPad 3 sometime in April.

Charles suggests that IGZO displays hold great potential for next generation iPad because they allow greater brightness with thinner displays. Additionally, by reducing the number of LEDs used in the backlight, one can get equivalent brightness as offered by existing displays. This would reduce the overall cost and most importantly, the power required by the LED unit, hence increasing battery life.

Apple may use multiple display technologies for the same product, says the analyst. The company is currently working with Korean display manufacturers also. On being asked about the possibility of Sharp IGZO being used exclusively in iPad 3, he said that Apple can use a couple of different approaches here. IGZO panels can be sold in some regions and Korean amorphous silicon-based panels can be sold in other areas. Additionally, Sharp panels cut down backlight costs (though costly themselves), so iPad 3 units having cheaper overall package (due to cheaper backlighting system) can be manufactured.

Hence, both these technologies can be used in producing iPad units that have same specifications but possess different internals. Charles notes that Sharp IGZO panels and Korean amorphous silicon panels have a lot in common. Both of them employ similar LCD technologies and use in-plane switching. In his words “Both have a wide viewing angle and excellent color reproduction. You never know what Apple will do.”

iPad 2 sports a display screen of resolution 1024×768 only. However, next generation iPad is rumored to come with highly upgraded display with resolution of 2048×1536. High power Retina Display would be one of the top power gobbling features of the gadget, so power reduction measures (like required for LED backlighting) can be attractive propositions by Apple.

According to a website named Today’s iPhone (TiP) , the next generation iPhone will have a waterproof coating that will prevent it from severe damages caused due to water. This nano coating system by Liquipel (a California based company) will cover both inside and outside surfaces of the handset and will act as a water repellent, hence making it resistant to water-caused damages. According to the company, waterproof protection is in the form of vaporized liquid and is 1000 times thinner than human hair strand, but is extremely efficient in protecting iPhone from water.

TiP’s sources (that are claimed to be found correct in past) quote “iPhone 5 will have a liquipel treatment as it will be altering the wording on insurance”. However, they had no information on exact type of changes being made in handset’s insurance documents.

Some techies also say this technology will lead the handset to dissipate more heat than compared to the one with no protection coating.

As for now, you can get your iPhone (be it any) waterproofed just for $59.99. The company will treat your handset within 2 days after receiving it, and in case of an emergency (like you need it in 2 hrs), additional $10 will be required.

Here’s a video demonstrating how the technology protects your phone:

Liquipel cofounder says that the technology has been developed to protect phones from accidental damages only. Taking your handsets for a swim deliberately may prove to be fatal for it!

Moisture and liquid damage are said to be the top reasons why people claim for insurance on smartphones. Placing extra protection against liquid will definitely change the present scenario, and possibly, liquid damages could be covered under warranty for high end waterproof smartphones.

Out of two mentioned, the first book is scheduled to be launched on March 29th, while the other will be coming in May this year. These two new additions to Amazon’s online catalog were first noted by AppleBitch.com . Besides the above two, “Premiers Pas avec iPad 3 pour les Nuls” (iPad 3 for Dummies scheduled for April 26th launch) and “iPad 3 Step by Step for Dummies” by Jolivalt Bernard (scheduled for April 26th launch) have also been listed.

This news falls in line with our report on Apple planning to introduce iPad 3 in March rather than February  and Bloomberg’s report too. However, it may be considered as another hint pointing towards March release of the next generation iPad. In fact, there has been a massive outburst of rumors on iPad 3 lately. Not even a week back we heard that iPad 3 is to come equipped with LTE and Quad-core processor . Additionally, every now and then, we read about Retina display  of the thicker  next generation iPad too. But answer to the main question “when” still remains blurry!

Amazon France has a tendency of pre-announcing Apple’s products (though not found accurate always) via its online book catalog. In 2010, the French Bookseller was offering iLife ’10 pour les nuls that was scheduled to be released on 23rd September 2010 (first noted by TUAW). However, iLife ’11 was introduced in October 2010 rather than iLife ’10 in September of that year.

As Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents says, the suit is not applicable to Apple all over Europe, but in Germany only. Apple can run iCloud services with “push email services” intact, however, if Motorola chooses to enforce the ruling, it can shut down the service whenever it wants. In fact, apart from iCloud, MobileMe and all other devices that utilize push services have been affected by this injunction. This “push email” service enables a user to receive emails almost instantly by pushing new data to the concerned device as soon as it reaches the server.

According to Florian Mueller, Apple would probably file an appeal with Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court because the judgment is “preliminarily enforceable” (though permanent). Motorola has the power to enforce the decision if it posts a bond of 100 million euros. However, in case Moto looses the case in appealed court, it will have to pay for all damages made to Apple.

As Motorola Mobility works under Google now, Moto will probably force Apple to seize push email services, hence forcing German iCloud users to switch to other similar services or reconfigure their email clients.

UPDATE 1: As we thought, Apple has been forced to withdraw offering all 3G devices (except iPhone 4S) from online stores of Apple in Germany. iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and all 3G/UMTS-enabled iPads have been removed from the store.

UPDATE 2: Apple has made a statement regarding the entire issue. It said it had plans to appeal court’s iCloud-related ruling and explained why the products have been removed from online store. In its words “Apple believes this old pager patent is invalid and we’re appealing the courts decision. While some iPad and iPhone models are not available through Apple’s online store in Germany right now, customers should have no problem finding them at one of our retail stores or an authorized reseller. Apple is appealing this ruling because Motorola repeatedly refuses to license this patent to Apple on reasonable terms, despite having declared it an industry standard patent seven years ago.”

UPDATE 3: It seems Apple’s appeal has been heard already. It overturned iPhone and iPad sales ban imposed by Motorola in Germany as appeal court lifted the ban after Apple made a proposal of new license payment. As patents are FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) in nature, Apple can buy licensing rights to those patents at market rates. Apple said that Motorola Mobility never offered these terms before it. According to Mueller, this kind of suspension is possible only through a bond. As Apple has a lot of money, it easily obtained and posted a bond worth almost $158 million.

According to Slashgear, “Apple has been granted a suspension of the German injunction against 3G-enabled iOS devices, with the iPad WiFi + 3G, iPhone 4 and other gadgets back on sale through the company’s online store. All iPad and iPhone models will be back on sale through Apple’s online store in Germany shortly” the company told us in a statement. Apple appealed this ruling because Motorola repeatedly refuses to license this patent to Apple on reasonable terms, despite having declared it an industry standard patent seven years ago.”

All removed devices are available on Apple’s online store in Germany once again. However, Motorola has hinted that it will try to restore the ban.

We have confronted a hell lot many jailbreak tweaks to make Siri even better. But the latest app named “MyAssistant” outsmarts all its predecessors. MyAssistant app developed by Andrea Oliva and Saltb0x can run on Jailbroken iPhone 4S and any of the Siri-hacked iOS gadget. It is available on third-party app market Cydia Store (BigBoss Repository) for 99 cents. However, it is still a “work in progress”.

Features of MyAssistant:

This tweak has following features:

1. Commands: The application adds several new commands to Siri. These commands include rebooting handset, click an image, power off, respring, lock, unlock, safe mode, get lyrics of a song and give battery percentage
2. Custom Replies: Users can ask queries and create custom replies to them (up to 10 lines)
3. System Toggles: Customers can manage system toggles via Siri. It covers Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, Volume, Location, Airplane Mode and Brightness

4. Activator Events: One can choose a hit word for Siri and attach desired Activator (a jailbreak app) function or feature to it. MyAssistant app allows use of Activator app to perform other system-level events
5. Launch Applications Using Voice Commands: Go to MyAssistant Setting under “Open Apps” option. Here you can set a particular voice command to open a specific application. For example “Open Twitter” to launch Twitter

6. Siri User Interface: Changing Siri’s background has now become possible. You simply need to pick one from photos app
7. Compatibility: According to the developer, it works well with Spire, a third pary app that brings Siri to iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4

iDownloadblog has put together a walkthrough video of MyAssistant. Have a look:

Apple hinted at improving Siri’s functions, but never revealed what these improvements would be. Last year in November, rumor (Link to http://www.iphone5gfeatures.com/next-ios-5-update-ios-5-0-2-coming-up-next-week-ios-5-1-on-its-way-too/) surfaced that iOS 5.1 (1 (Link to http://www.iphone5gfeatures.com/third-beta-of-ios-5-1-hints-at-deep-facebook-integration/), 2 (Link to http://www.iphone5gfeatures.com/ios-5-1-does-not-remove-iphone-4s-call-audio-issues/), 3 (Link to http://www.iphone5gfeatures.com/ios-5-1-beta-2-available-for-developers-enables-removal-of-images-from-photo-stream/)) would enable users to capture images and manage system toggles via Siri. Well, after MyAssistant app’s launch, these new additions by Apple will be left with no meaning.

According to a report by CultOfMac , there is a bug in iTunes Match that is playing clean versions of some selective rap songs even when their censored counterparts are present in iTunes Library.

One of the readers of 9To5Mac emailed Eddy Cue (SVP of Internet Software and Services at Apple) regarding this issue and got a reply that Apple engineers were working on a fix.

Some of the tracks that have been replaced are:

1. Song by Ice Cube: “Jack N The Box” from his album Raw Footage
2. Two song by Kanye West: “Hell Of A Life” and “Power” from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
3. Song by Jay-Z: “Can I Live” fromhis album Reasonable Doubt

Songs are tagged “Clean” and “Explicit” so that users can distinguish between songs that have profanity and those that haven’t. The bug in iTunes Match makes the software to ignore user’s preference and replaces “explicit” versions of songs with “clean” ones. People have been complaining about this for a couple of weeks now. Though profanity in exists in several genres of songs, problem has been reported by rap music fans primarily.

Apple replied to one of reader’s query but did not suggest any temporary workaround.

Mashable itself carried out a test by uploading a ripped copy of Jay-Z’s The Black Album (with explicit lyrics). This explicit song was replaced by its clean version when played. However, this bug does not mess with the music that is purchased on iTunes. This means that some info must be present in tag files that are linked with the music format chosen by Apple (AAC), with the help of which one can distinguish a song as “explicit” or “clean”. This detail is not replicated in mp3 music files for sure.

iTunes Match has also been found suffering form issues like “Genius” feature turning dormant. This feature, when active, allowed users to make playlists of songs that sounded similar.

If you too are annoyed by any such problems, do let us know!

Apple.pro  has uploaded few images that confirm image capturing capabilities of the next generation iPod. iPod Nano 7G is assumed to come packed with 1.3 megapixel video enabled camera located at device’s rear side (similar to the one featured on iPod Touch). The clip on iPod’s back panel contains a hole to provide space for camera’s lens view. Apple may also be testing a 2 megapixel camera, latest rumor has it! Size and weight of iPod Nano 7G would probably be same as the 6th generation iPod Nano.

According to M.I.C gadget , prototype flaunted in the images is two months old and has serious issues related to it. It has an auto iris lens that can be easily affected by diffraction, hence blurring the captured image. This means it takes overexposed photographs. M.I.C Gadget’s sources say that Apple is having lens aperture-related issues that are not allowing the gadget to take advantages of lens’s low aperture. Apple is trying to correct this problem and in lieu of that, tested a 2 megapixel camera too. However the results were unsatisfactory as captured images looked totally washed out and flat.

If you remember, Apple in 2009 filed a patent that pointed towards Apple’s interest in bringing a camera to next gen iPod Nano. Well, here it is! An iPod Nano loaded with a camera!

However, model featured in above images is not ready for production yet, but is being assumed to be close to the final product. Latest rumors point towards First quarter end or early second quarter release of iPod Nano 7G.

No official date for the conference has been announced yet, but according to rumors (that surfaced way back last year), WWDC is likely to be held in San Francisco between 10th and 15th June.

As seen in the image above, these dates have been blocked under the event “Corporate Meeting”, which probably is the Worldwide Developer’s Conference.

iPhone 4S was launched in October last year and was a major deviation from Apple’s trait of releasing iPhones at or around WWDC in June.

We have come across “summer launch” of iPhone 5 before too. Last month 9To5Mac reported  iPhone 5 to be coming this summer, and Apple has started its production. However, this information was disapproved by Daringfireball later.

Whatever the case may be, if Apple is really planning to release the next generation iPhone in June, it is expected to enter its production phase very soon to meet the June target.