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ExtraBITS for 30 September 2013

This week in ExtraBITS, we have three quick original articles for you in addition to our usual links. In just 125 words, we show how to add weather to your iPad’s Notification Center in iOS 7, run through what’s new in iOS 7.0.2, and review Apple’s iPhone 5s Case. Tell us what you think of these brief bits in their comments! Then read on for the newly revealed history of the iPhone, news of how Martha Stewart might be the hero app developers have been waiting for, thoughts from Marco Arment on how to name an app, and why security researcher Marc Rogers isn’t bothered that he was able to hack the Touch ID fingerprint scanner.

All You Need to Know about iOS 7.0.2, in 45 Words -- iOS 7.0.2 beefs up Passcode Lock security, eliminating access to the Camera Roll and recent apps, preventing non-emergency calls from being made at an iPhone’s Lock screen, and restoring a Greek keyboard for passcode entry. It’s a 21 MB download via Settings > General > Software Update.

39-Word Review of the $39 iPhone 5s Case -- Its exterior leather feels nice and the microfiber interior protects the iPhone’s finish, but the case fits so tightly that it’s hard to remove. Worse, it makes the buttons hard to press, and it bulks up my sleek iPhone.

The Secret History of the iPhone -- Fast Company has spent months in research to bring you the never-before-heard history of the iPhone. This article, an extract from the new book, “Design Crazy,” describes how the iPhone evolved from a Mac tablet (not unlike Microsoft’s Surface) to the sleek design we eventually saw. Only a select few Apple employees were allowed to see the actual iPhone interface; the rest had to test against an intentionally hideous decoy, until Scott Forstall convinced Steve Jobs otherwise.

App Developers Gain an Unexpected Champion -- Lodsys has become infamous for patent-trolling small iOS developers, but they might have bit off more than they can chew when they set their sights on Martha Stewart. Yes, that Martha Stewart. While most app developers don’t have the resources to fight Lodsys in court, the Verge reports that the powerful and popular ex-con is fighting back, asking a judge not only to declare that Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s apps don’t infringe on Lodsys patents, but also to invalidate all Lodsys patents cited in the
suit, which would put a swift end to Lodsys’s reign of terror. And that’s a good thing.

How to Name an App -- Well-known developer and podcaster Marco Arment is working on a new podcast client, called Overcast. In a blog post, he discusses how he came up with the name, the alternatives he considered, the steps he had to go through to ensure that there were no trademark infringements, and how he secured an online presence, including a domain name and Twitter handle. It’s a fascinating look into something most of us never consider.

Marc Rogers Hacked Touch ID and Still Thinks It’s Awesome -- Security researcher Marc Rogers has replicated the spoof performed by Chaos Computer Club members who tricked the iPhone 5s Touch ID fingerprint scanner with a fake fingerprint. Rogers says regular users have little to fear, as the technique requires expensive equipment and expertise. He also makes the case that Touch ID is still an improvement in iPhone security, since many users currently don’t use a passcode to secure their devices.

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