Briefly: Sparrow, iOS loophole, Olympics app, FB Messenger
updated 01:30 am EDT, Tue June 26, 2012
Formerly IMAP-only Sparrow for iOS gains POP support
The iOS version of the formerly IMAP-only client app Sparrow ($3) have now added POP account support to the app, meaning users who have email based from their local ISP or other non-IMAP services like Hotmail can use the app with those accounts as well. With the move, the program comes closer to being a full replacement for the built-in Mail application, but still lacks "push" notification support as that will have to be handled by the Sparrow team and would likely require a subscription. An iPad version of Sparrow is also in development, but without a firm release date, and there is also a desktop client ($10).
File that leaked future hardware now plugged
A file buried deep in developer versions of iOS called USBDeviceConfiguration.plist has often served to researchers as an oracle of upcoming Apple hardware, but as its information was exploited the file was modified to contain false product identifiers in iOS 5.1, and in iOS 6 the product ID info has been removed altogether. How this will affect future reporting on unannounced products is unclear, but is more evidence that CEO Tim Cook is serious about a "doubling down" on product security.
London Olympics iOS app now available
An official iOS app for the London Olympic Games was released recently on the App Store. Called London 2012 - The Official Mobile Game, the app (available in both a free and a $3 version) lets players participate in nine different sports across the 12 official venues for the games, which are being held next month. The app is of course multi-lingual, and offers training, challenge and competition modes. The paid version comes with bonus "coins" that can be used for in-app purchases.
Facebook Messenger gains in-app notifications
Chat-centric Facebook app Facebook Messenger (free) has received an update to both the iOS and Android versions that now allows switching between different conversations in a much easier way. The new system employs in-app notifications that let users tap to bring up the new entry, making juggling multiple conversations more elegant. The new version also fixes some push notification bugs and lets users share larger photos than before.
Trailer for Olympic app
