Stories by Elizabeth Fish

Semi-tethered iOS 5 jailbreak developed, useful on the move

Earlier in the month, Geek Tech reported on the iOS 5 jailbreak, which dropped less than 24 hours after Apple announced the latest software update. Like any new jailbreak, it's only constraint (other than not working on an iPad 2) was that you have to tether your device to a computer to boot it--annoying if your phone stops working when you are not near your computer. Since the initial release developers have been working to improve the hack, and now a tether-free version is slowly coming to light.

Hacker creates makes iOS look like OS X Lion

Do you happen to be one of those people that really love Mac OS X Lion? Or perhaps, on the other end of the spectrum, you feel Lion's a bit too much like iOS? Well, now it's more than just similar, because if you happen to have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can now make sure that Lion never leaves your side, with a bit of clever hacking.

Kickstarter project aims to take geocaching into space

Have you ever been geocaching? While it may seem a little lame to those who haven't, there is a slight thrill to being able to track down a hidden item using only clues and a set of co-ordinates from the person who put it there. Still sounds a little uninteresting? How about geocaching in space?

Linux now runs on iPad, Tuxedo optional

Everyone loves a good tablet hack -- after all, look at all the interest in hacking the Nook Color and the HP Touchpad. So it's no surprise that iOS devices have been successfully hacked to run Linux.

iOS 4.3.5 is out; Redsn0w jailbreak works

Earlier today (Monday), Apple released iOS 4.3.5, a security update that patches a flaw in its handling of security certificates. If you're looking to jailbreak 4.3.5, though, here's some good news: "MuscleNerd" of the iPhone Dev Team decided he would check to see if Redsn0w would successfully jailbreak the minor update. You can, however there are still a few pitfalls.

Hack gets MeeGo onto Nook Color, runs seriously well

The Nook Color getting hacked isn't exactly new -- there are plenty of Nook Color hacks now, from installing different versions of Android to improving battery life or storage space. It's pretty exciting, then, when someone tests out a totally different OS, that also looks quite impressive on the Barnes & Noble e-reader.

6 essential things every geek should know or own

Happy Geek Pride Day! May 25 is here, and while the date coincides with other events such as the 1977 theatrical release of Star Wars: A New Hope, Towel Day, and a celebration of Terry Prachett's Discworld, it's a day to bask in being a geek. But just to make sure, you may want to check the GeekTech list of things a good geek should own or know. If you have or know a few of these things, congratulations. If you don't, see this as a shopping list of what you need.

iPhone app uses facial recognition to secure your phone

It there's one thing really irritating about leaving your iPhone out with friends, it's when they unlock to unleash all kinds of madness (usually on your Facebook) while your back's turned. You can always use a passcode, but maybe it's time to add an extra step to the "Slide to Unlock" screen, by adding facial recognition.

Kinect hack lets you play 3D Tetris

Ever wondered what would happen if you crossed a Kinect with a hack of a cult classic game? An even more addictive, albeit basic, 3D game of Tetris, complete with Wiimote to move blocks around.

Kinect hack controls a USB rocket launcher

There are now hundreds of Microsoft Kinect hacks in the hacking community right now. When you have hacks such as the Super Saiyan impersonator and the robot controller too, it didn't take too long for someone to figure out how to control a rocket launcher connected to the Kinect with just their hands.

Profiles in Geekdom: Designer Behind Digg, Eightbit.me

Earlier this month, we wrote about a quirky new character profile Website, EightBit.me. Even if you've never heard of Eightbit.me, there's a good chance that you know what Digg.com is. The relation between the two? They were both designed by the same guy.

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