Apple does partial backtrack on changes to iOS 6 VPN settings
updated 10:46 am EDT, Fri April 26, 2013
May be sign of behind-the-scenes talks with VirnetX
Apple has partially reversed course on its decision to change the way iOS 6 handles VPN connections, a modified Apple support document reveals. "Apple no longer plans to change the behavior of the VPN On Demand feature of iOS 6.1 for devices that have already been shipped. The 'Always' option will continue to work as it currently does on these devices," the company says.
Previously Apple indicated it would effectively kill the "Always" option, forcing it to behave the same as the "Establish if needed" setting. The switch was made to comply with a $368 million court ruling in favor of VirnetX, accusing Apple of violating VPN patents. The new compromise may signal that Apple and VirnetX have been talking behind the scenes, since the court verdict covered past infringements by Apple, but not future ones. Apple appears to have avoided signing a license with VirnetX for future products.
