Apple may fix tracking 'bug' in iOS update

After receiving flak for a software "feature" that tracks owners of its mobile devices, Apple may soon address the problem with an update to its iOS operating system, a consumer electronics news site reported on Tuesday. Boy Genius Report's (BGR's) Jonathan Geller cited an "Apple source" who said that the iPhone and iPad maker may come out soon with its iOS 4.3.3. "One of our Apple sources has just informed us that Apple isn’t wasting anytime fixing the infamous location tracking issue in the iPhone and other iOS devices — it’s going to be addressed in an update within the next two weeks, possibly sooner, in iOS version 4.3.3," he said. He said that the source disclosed that the update will:

• No longer back up the location database to iTunes.
• Involve a reduced size of the location database.
• Entirely delete the location database when Location Services are turned off.
• Provide battery life improvements.
• Provide iPod bug fixes.

Last April, two researchers made public the existence of an unencrypted hidden "consolidated.db" file that stores location data taken from nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. The file can also be backed up to computers running Apple's iTunes. Meanwhile, Apple's Apple Store was down as of Tuesday night. Visitors to the site (store.apple.com/us) were greeted with a message that "we are busy updating the store for you and will be back shortly." — TJD, GMA News