Earlier this week, hackers discovered a loophole in the brand new “iPlayer for iPhone” beta service which allowed users to download and save all iPlayer content DRM-free.
The exploit, which was made easy using a Firefox plug-in, meant users could “fool the service into thinking they were accessing the programming (with a different DRM set-up) on an iPhone or iPod touch whilst on a computer.” The shows could then be downloaded with no copyright protection.
The vulnerability has now been closed but the BBC will continue to monitor the situation and look out for future exploits.
“It’s an ongoing, constant process and one which we will continue to monitor. Like other broadcasters, the security of rights-protected content online is an issue we take very seriously,” added the BBC in a statement.
Result for: iPhone
The research firm Canalys has reported that Nokia continues to lose smartphone market share to Apple and RIM.
Nokia’s share has fallen from 51.4 percent for the Q3 2007 to 38.9 percent for the Q3 this year. Apple has grown from under 10 percent last year to 17.3 percent while RIM has grown to 15.2 percent for the quarter.
The firm says the strong growth for Apple can be attributed to the global launch of the iPhone 3G. The firm believes the Q4 can be very strong for RIM and push it past Apple if sales of the Bold, Storm, and Pearl 8220 devices all exceed conservative expectations.
Nokia has seen its Symbian software lose market share as well, from 68.1 percent to 46.6 percent from last year.
Result for: iPhone
Yesterday we reported that the Financial Times was claiming that there was talk of an unlimited subscription to the iTunes Store in the works and that the only catch would be a premium on the price of iPods and other mobile Apple products.
According to Business Week however, the claims are largely unfounded although there have been talks for an iTunes subscription model being floated around for months. The FT report claimed that for a $20-$100 USD premium on the price of iPods and iPhones users would have unlimited access, DRM-free, to iTunes music. The added revenue from the sales of the devices would then be “distributed appropriately amongst record labels.”
The latest Business Week report however completely contradicts the last report. “Insiders at major music labels” have supposedly dismissed the rumors completely although Apple has yet to make an official comment.
We will keep you updated on any developments.
