The problem it appears is in the way that Apple’s Mobile Safari handles Adobe PDF documents, as the browser is designed to automatically open such files, there are fears that a hacker could embed a malicious code in the file.

Apple say that the company is well aware of the reports and the threat involved and are currently investigating the problem.

Mobile experts have suggested that the only way of preventing Mobile Safari from automatically opening PDF files is by jailbreaking a phone and installing an application, called PDF Loading Warner, that then asks for permission every time the browser tries to open a PDF file.

Some have even suggested installing an alternative browser such as the much lauded Opera Mini, although no-one can be clear on whether this would solve the problem completely as they had not been checked for exploits.

It would appear that the only real option is to wait for Apple to offer a fix to the problem, although the iPhone company have been slow to respond with fixes to the mobile browser in the past.

It opens up the debate as to whether smartphones would benefit from having their own security or anti virus programme in place, many have argued that there is no need for such measures with the current OS that are being used.

Although I am not an expert on internet security we are warned on a daily basis of the vulnerability of our PCs to attacks and to this end there are numerous free antivirus downloads for computers.

While there are now some anti virus software developed for mobile devices, there does seem a split in opinion as to whether mobile users actually need such programmes.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has their own experiences on this subject.

movies now 2 app

With the launch of Movies Now 2 for iPhone & iPod Touch and Movies Now HD for iPad, AppSpark have improved the movie going experience for film fans who can find what films are showing in cinemas near them.

Featuring stylish yet simple user interface designs and fast processing, the apps provide instant, location-based show-times for cinemas, making going to the movies easier than ever before.

The ‘Now’ feature for iPhone not only tells users what movies are playing in cinemas near them, for added convenience the Now feature is also able to determine what movie is the easiest for users to reach by foot or car. This is cleverly calculated by taking into account the user’s proximity to a cinema and movie show time, it also considers the preview time in its calculation – an ideal feature for those who prefer to skip the previews and arrive just in time for the starting credits.

Kavin Bharti Mittal, founder of AppSpark, said;

“Our first app, Movies Now! for iPhone exceeded our expectations in terms of the positive amount of feedback and number of downloads. The app entered the iTunes App Store’s Top 100 in the Entertainment Category in the US, UK and Canada and reached the Top 5 overall in Ireland. From the reviews, it’s clear to see that iPhone users loved the apps’ user interface. With the new Movies Now 2 for the iPhone, we’ve significantly improved almost every feature in the app, its speed and functionality will blow you away!”

Movies Now HD for iPad and Movies Now 2 for iPhone allows users to:

• Access location based information with the Now feature for iPhone – find out at the tap of a screen, what movies are showing nearby.
• Browse movies – choose what to see, by simply tapping a movie poster users read descriptions for each movie, watch trailers and find out about the movie’s cast and see star ratings from Hollywood.com.
• View box office rankings
• Add theatres to a ‘favourites’ list – for faster access and search of cinemas by name or location.

Movies Now HD for iPad is currently available for an early bird price at £1.19 and comes with Movies Now 2 for iPhone at no additional cost. Movies Now 2 for iPhone is also available separately for just £0.59.

PitchPerfect Guitar Tuner App for Apple iPhone

NCH Software has announced the release of its TempoPerfect Metronome Software application for the Apple iPhone. Together with PitchPerfect Guitar Tuner, which will be available for the iPhone soon, NCH is offering two essential utilities for musicians everywhere.

TempoPerfect is free metronome software for keeping a clear and precise beat. Metronomes are essential for keeping time, improving practice sessions, and for developing a consistent rhythmic feel. TempoPerfect allows musicians to accurately set the correct beats per minute (BPM) for any tempo, and comes with a BPM reference chart for tempo markings from largo, to allegro, to prestissimo. Additional features allow you to subdivide beat patterns to hear tricky patterns like triplets, or accent the first beat in a measure when working in difficult time signatures.

PitchPerfect is an easy-to-use, free guitar tuner that eliminates the need of tuning a guitar by ear and will greatly improve the intonation of your guitar’s sound.  And while PitchPerfect is great for guitar players, it also includes presets for tuning cello, double bass, fiddle, mandolin, ukulele, viola and violin. Most instruments have several tunings available, so no matter which stringed instrument you play or what style of music, you will know your instrument is in tune. Simply play the string you want to tune to see if you are sharp, flat, or in perfect pitch. PitchPerfect is also an excellent tool for checking fret board intonation.

PitchPerfect is now available for Windows, Mac, Pocket PC and SmartPhone.

TempoPerfect is also available for Windows, Pocket PC and SmartPhone.

The smaller, lighter version of the iPhone has excited Apple fans across the globe and many of those queueing to purchase the iPhone 4 in London had travelled from far and wide.

Apple have promised better mobile reception on the new device thanks to a stainless steel case that acts as the antenna. The new phone also includes a larger battery and improved display giving the device more talk time.

Also the camera has been updated for the new model, increasing to 5 megapixel in line with most top end mobile devices and including a flash for the first time.

One area where Apple may have to act swiftly is sorting out the latest OS system iOS4, as there has been much adverse internet dialogue from users having serious problems upgrading.

Supermarket chain Tesco are among the many outlets offering the iPhone from today, here is a copy of their tarriffs.

Players choose one of the 32 national teams that qualified for this summer’s tournament and who will soon be travelling to South Africa. The Sudoku puzzle is then customised with that team’s name and kit, allowing England supporters to don the legendary white strip as they enjoy three game modes.

• Relax mode: playing without pressure, the game can be paused and resumed at the player’s leisure
• Arcade mode: playing to the whistle, gamers must complete the puzzle within a time limit
• Challenge mode: competing against online opponents from around the world, app users can influence their team’s world ranking with their performance.

There are three difficulty levels to choose from (easy, medium and hard) as designed by the unique puzzle generator. Players can also challenge other players around the world each day with a new puzzle and a new chance to be world champion. At the end of the game, players receive customised statistics for analysis of their performance.

Manuel Coelho, Director of edutainment and games at Avanquest Software said, “There are millions of Sudoku fans and soccer players around the world and with the FIFA World Cup now coming into focus, we want our customers to get more out of mobile entertainment. We’re excited to develop this first of many mobile applications that will be available for the most popular mobile device platforms.”

Soccer Sudoku 2010 costs £0.59 across the iPhone and Android platforms and £1.79 for the iPad. The game is available from the iPhone App Store and Android Market.

Start enjoying the Soccer Sudoku 2010 excitement now.

Step into the arena. Hear the roar of the crowd. And prepare to FIGHT! You are Spartacus and this 3D game gives you the weapons and fury to kill your way to freedom. Whether you customize your fighting experience or go head-to-head with other players via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the goal is the same – survive.

The Spartacus: Blood & Sand game can be downloaded from the Apple iPhone app store.

Bravo have also created a site called Sparta-cuss. Sparta-cuss is an obscene swear generator to promote Spartacus: Blood and Sand on Bravo. Lay down some obscene insults. Become a Gladiator and throw down the gauntlet to your most sworn enemies. Strictly 18+.

Spartacus: Blood & Sand continues on Bravo tonight and every Tuesday at 10pm in the UK.

Not for the faint-hearted, the controversial Spartacus: Blood and Sand brings to life the bloody world of gladiators as the Roman Republic’s most brutal fighters clash in the ultimate arena, and depicts one of history’s most violent eras.

Betrayed by the Romans, forced into slavery and reborn as a gladiator, Spartacus is a rebellious soldier in the Roman Auxiliary who is taken prisoner and torn away from the woman he loves. Lucretia, who along with her husband Batiatus, own the slave Spartacus and the gladiator camp. The former soldier is then condemned to the ways of the arena fighter – under the brutal hand of trainer Doctore,– where blood and death are primetime entertainment, and treachery, corruption and sexual allure will test him to the limit.

The malicious game is called “3D Anti-Terrorist Action” and it is manufactured by Beijing Huike Technology in China.

After being downloaded, the malicious game installer can be identified by the file name antiterrorist3d.cab (we have also seen a variant of it called codeckpack.cab).

For further information on this latest threat to Smartphone users, visit the CA Internet Intelligence Security web site, who offer practical advice on how to remove the Trojan from infected devices.

eurosport app

The free to download Eurosport app has found a home on over 2 million mobiles since its launch in July 2009, regularly topping the download charts across Europe.

The app that boasts more LIVE sport content than any other in Europe has been designed and developed for use on iPhone and iPod Touch devices, amongst the many features it offers the user are LIVE results, breaking sports news, stats, standings and fixtures.

Eurosport app remains the only sports application that is available in nine local language versions, covering English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Swedish, Polish, Russian and Chinese as well as an international version that is available in any country in the world.

Eurosport Chairman & CEO Eric Le Lay said;

“Eurosport is constantly innovating to provide the highest quality content across all media platforms and on all devices, and mobile is the perfect way to enjoy, share and experience sports news and events. We are delighted with this landmark download of 2,000,000 because it demonstrates the trust and value that sports fans place in the Eurosport brand.”

The Eurosport app is available for free download from iTunes and the Apple store.

The Sweepstake Shaker iPhone App

The Sun newspaper has developed an iPhone app in time for the Grand National sweepstake called the Sweepstake Shaker.

Each year hundreds of office workers and family members alike get together and have a Grand National sweepstake; and this year the Sweepstake Shaker iPhone app could replace pulling names from a hat!

The Sun’s Sweepstake Shaker: Big Race Edition is available now to download for free on the App Store or via thesun.co.uk/sweepstake.

The way it works is simple; your friends shake the phone to choose their horses and have their picture taken in the correct jockey silks. The app then remembers all the details and creates your very own sweepstake poster. Just email it to yourself when you’re done, print it out and pin it up.

After the race, it even lets you know who has won.

Also in the five days leading up to the race, users will receive top tips from four Sun columnists: Gordon Smart, Ally Ross, Jane Moore, The Sun’s racing expert Claude Duvall and Sun Talk’s award winning host, Jon Gaunt.

Once the Grand National is finished the Sweepstake Shaker App, created by WCRS, will be updated for forthcoming sports events, including the FIFA World Cup and Wimbledon Tennis tournament.

Rick Hirst, NI Client MD at Engine says, ‘In my opinion, the best Apps are those that either create new behaviour or harness things in the analogue world and give them an interactive and participative twist. The Sun Sweepstake Shaker is a great example of this.’

Rapha Racing were impressed with the Future Workshops ‘pitch’, producing a compelling case for the development of apps for the company. The account shows how luxury brands are grasping the opportunity presented by integrating mobile applications into their wider communication strategies.

Matt Brooke-Smith, founder of Future Workshops said:

“Applications for luxury brands should protect and amplify the brand’s unique identity and collateral. They can be used to bring premium brands to life in the connected digital world and build upon the existing credibility such brands have amassed in traditional media. Apps that win in the high-end space are simple in design, replicate the brand’s attributes perfectly and add instant value to the user.  This type of application must also provide an engaging, content-rich and ultimately, a seamless brand experience.”

Simon Mottram, Managing Director at Rapha commented:

“We bring cyclists together through rides, events, exhibitions and products – as such we’re always keen to adopt new technologies that our customers can benefit from.  Adopting the iPhone platform made perfect sense as an integral part of our ongoing digital engagement strategy. We are excited that our new app offers real utility for the keen road cyclist, rather than simply showcasing our products. The Future Workshops team showed a full understanding of our brand and concisely demonstrated how they could deliver a full and rich Rapha experience via the iPhone. Choosing a development partner was also about finding a solid cultural fit with our own organisation – which we’ve done here.”