Apple finally released the latest installment of its flagship lineup of smartphones, the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C on Friday. However, that wasn't the only launch from the company that day. Apple is pushing an iOS update to the recently released iOS 7.
According to Apple, the iOS 7.0.1 patch will contain generic "bug fixes and improvements" for the newly release iOS 7 mobile operating system, writes ZDNet. However, according to users, the patch fixes a minor bug that prevented users from using the iPhone 5S' new Touch ID fingerprint scanner to authenticate purchases made from iTunes. This has forced many to have to forgo the exciting new feature and go back to the four digit passcode system.
The updates are only out for the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, both of Apple's newest devices. However, since the iPhone 5C does not have access to the fingerprint scanner, it's likely that there are other important fixes required of the update that are not specific to the Touch ID sensor.
Surprisingly this update does not fix the newly discovered bug in the iOS 7 update that allows people to access the phone and bypass the lock screen. The flaw was discovered by Jose Rodriguez and, if done properly gives anyone access to the iPhone's e-mail, photos, Twitter and Facebook accounts as well as much more. With iPhone doing everything it can to tout its new flagship smartphone as one of the most secure devices on the market, it's surprising that the very first software patch doesn't address this huge flaw in security.
It is important to note that Apple hasn't been ignoring the security hack altogether. In fact it recently released a statement promising that a fix for the security flaw will be coming very soon.
" Apple takes user security very seriously. We are aware of this issue, and will deliver a fix in a future software update." Until then, users would be wise to keep their iPhone and iPad where they can see it to ensure it doesn't fall victim to this hack.
