Apple has released iOS 6.1.3 beta 2 to developers which includes a fix for the recently discovered lock screen bug.

iOS 6.1.3 Beta 2 includes a security fix for a Lock screen bug and the following improvements to Maps for Japan:
● Improved pronunciation of roads during turn-by-turn navigation
● Optimized directions to more strongly prefer highways over narrower roads
● Now indicates upcoming toll roads during turn-by-turn navigation
● Added labels for junctions, interchanges, on-ramps, off-ramps, and intersections
● Added indicators for transit station buildings, subway lines, and traffic lights
● Updated freeway color to green
● Updated icons for some location categories including fire stations, hospitals, and post offices
● Added 3D buildings including Tokyo Station, Japan Imperial Palace, and Tokyo Tower

You can get the new build (10B318) from the iOS Dev Center.

A new patent application from Apple discloses a new "bracelet" device with a wraparound design where the display would cover the whole outer surface. Although the word "watch" is not mention anywhere in the patent application filed back in August 2011, the wearable device described in the patent could clearly serve as a smart watch.

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In January, a number of Apple employees’ Mac devices have been hacked after visiting a popular iPhoneDevSDK forum. The employees from Facebook and, probably, dozens of other companies have also been attacked by the hacker. The site's owner, Ian Sefferman,  has provided some limited details about what happened in his blog.

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In November, research company Strategy Analytics claimed that Samsung's Galaxy S III had become the best-selling smartphone worldwide in the third quarter of last year, taking advantage of iPhone 4S decreased sales ahead of the iPhone 5 launch.

The firm’s latest research published today shows that Apple easily retook the title for the fourth quarter of 2012 with the iPhone 5 shipments reaching 27.4 million units for 12,6 percent of the market.

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According to the information provided by The Verge, the music streaming service Spotify has been talking about creating a section of free subscription for smartphones and tablets.

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Apple today released iTunes 11.0.2 which adds a new Composers view for music and other improvements.

About iTunes 11.0.2
This update adds a new Composers view for music, improves responsiveness when syncing playlists with a large number of songs, and fixes an issue where purchases may not show up in your iTunes library. This update also includes other stability and performance improvements.

You can download iTunes 11.0.2 from Software Update or directly here.

The Evad3rs have released Evasi0n 1.4, an update to the jailbreak utility that brings support for the new iOS 6.1.2 firmware. All devices are supported.

Version 1.4
● Added support for iOS 6.1.2, all devices.

You can download Evasi0n 1.4 here.

If you haven't jailbroken yet, you can find the our step-by-step tutorials here:

• Windows
• Mac OS X

According to the report submitted by Digitimes, AU Optronics has improved performance of displays for the iPad mini which finally leads to the availability of the current iPad mini and a reliable infrastructure for the production of displays for the next generation iPad mini.
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Today NPD released a report analyzing consumer technology sales in U.S. for 2012. According to the report, since 2010, U.S. consumer technology sales have decreased by $4 billion, down to $143 billion.

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According to AllThingsD, Apple today confirmed that a number of Apple employees’ Macs were compromised by the same Chinese hackers, who recently targeted Facebook employees. The malware infected the computers through a vulnerability in a Java plug-in, which Apple has recently blocked due to security vulnerabilities. in statement to AllThingsD, Apple said:

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Apple has released iOS 6.1.2 to fix a bug with Microsoft Exchange Calendar.

Fixes an Exchange calendar bug that could result in increased network activity and reduced battery life.

Today’s update also fixes the passcode bug that was found last week. There is no information, whether this firmware is jailbreakable.

You can update via OTA or in iTunes. Jailbreakers have to perform restore to upgrade to iOS 6.1.2.

You can download the new firmware from here.

Taiwanese website Economic Times reports (via Macotakara) that Apple is preparing for a release of its next-generation MacBook Air in the third quarter of 2013.

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Apple has posted two new iPad ads entitled 'Alive' and 'Together'.

With over 300,000 apps, iPad is up for anything you are.

Take a look:

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A new job posting from Apple looking for Apple TV experienced software engineer may suggests the company is indeed preparing to increase in presence in the living room. The job listing has revealed that Apple is seeking someone to lead the engineering team working on new features for the next Apple TV. It's interesting that earlier Apple referred to the Apple TV project as a hobby, but now the job posting describes it as a “high priority project.”

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German site iPhone-Ticker reports that next week Apple is preparing to release iOS 6.1.2 to address lock screen passcode issue and the Exchange bug found in iOS 6.1. The report notes that Apple will likely release the update before Wednesday.

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