That was quick. Apple has just released iOS 4.3.3 for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch and iOS 4.2.8 for Verizon iPhone to fix the iPhone and iPad 3G location tracking bug that has raised a lot of controversy.
Here’s the list of fixes and improvements in iOS 4.3.3 to address the issue:
This update contains changes to the iOS crowd-sourced location database cache including:
– Reduces the size of the cache
– No longer backs the cache up to iTunes
– Deletes the cache entirely when Location Services is turned off
Last week, Apple officially responded to the iPhone and iPad 3G location tracking issue that had raised privacy concerns. Apple clarified that it is not tracking the location of the iPhone or iPad 3G as reported by security researchers. Apple also confirmed that it has never done so and has no plans to ever do so. But Apple admitted that it could do a better job managing the crowd-sourced location database and would release an iOS software update to address the bugs.
Despite rumors, the latest iOS software update does not seem to include the fix to improve battery life.
iOS 4.3.3 is compatible with GSM iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 4th generation, iPod Touch 3rd generation, iPad and iPad 2 and iOS 4.2.8 is compatible with Verizon iPhone 4.
iPhone jailbreakers and unlockers should avoid upgrading to iOS 4.3.3 or iOS 4.2.8 until iPhone Dev team and iHh8sn0w release the updated jailbreaking tools for iOS 4.3.3 and iOS 4.2.8.
But if you don’t care about jailbreaking or unlocking your iPhone then you can update your iPhone with iOS 4.3.3 or iOS 4.2.8 via iTunes.
Update:
iOS 4.3.3 Already Jailbroken; Untethered iOS 4.3.3 Jailbreak Could Be Released Soon
As always, let us know how it goes and if you notice anything interesting in the comments.