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A Dutch hacker has used an exploit commonly left open when jailbreaking an iPhone or iPod touch to try and extort €5 from a number of T-Mobile Netherlands users. Ars Technica reports that the hacker used port scanning to identify jailbroken iPhones on the network that had SSH running. As many users who had activated SSH had not changed the default root password, the hacker was able to hack into the devices and send an alert that appeared on the screen like an incoming SMS message. The false alert read, “Your iPhone’s been hacked because it’s really insecure! Please visit doiop.com/iHacked and secure your iPhone right now! Right now, I can access all your files. This message won’t disappear until your iPhone’s secure.”

A visit to the website mentioned in the alert prompts the user to send €5 to a PayPal account, after which time the hacker will send the user an email with instructions to remove the hack. Ars notes that the hacker doesn’t appear to have malicious intent, as he/she states on the page mentioned in the alert that,” If you don’t pay, it’s fine by me. But remember, the way I got access to your iPhone can be used by thousands of others—they can send text messages from your number (like I did), use it to call or record your calls, and actually whatever they want, even use it for their hacking activities! I can assure you, I have no intention of harming you or whatever, but, some hackers do! It’s just my advice to secure your phone.” Apple has often mentioned security issues as a reason why it is opposed to users jailbreaking their devices.

China Unicom has announced that it has signed up only 5,000 new iPhone subscribers in the first five days the device has been on sale, but adding it was satisfied with the results. Unicom Chairman Chang Xiaobing said that the company is “satisfied with iPhone sales so far,” and added that the launch would help boost revenue in the fourth quarter, without providing any additional details. Reuters reports that analysts expect Unicom may be forced to offer more subsidies on the iPhone to bring down its price and boost sales. China Unicom became the first carrier to offer the iPhone in mainland China when it launched the device October 30.

Ngmoco has released Eliminate Pro, its latest game for the iPhone and iPod touch. Eliminate Pro is a first-person shooter in which players compete with one another in multi-player matches to earn credits to buy upgrades and better weapons. Features include networked play over both 3G and W-Fi, multiple weapons, power-ups, and arenas, Plus+ integration, and more. Eliminate Pro is available now as a free download from the App Store.

Electronic Arts has introduced Command & Conquer Red Alert, its latest title for the iPhone and iPod touch. In Red Alert, players use multi-touch controls to command their forces against the enemy, fighting through twelve combat levels as either the Soviets or Allies—each side has its own specific weaponry and campaign storylines. A map pack with six extra skirmish maps is available as an in-app purchase, and EA is promising Bluetooth and Wi-Fi multiplayer, as well as an “Empire of the Rising Sun” expansion pack as future updates. Command & Conquer Red Alert is available now and sells for $10.

id Software has unveiled Doom Classic, its latest game for the iPhone and iPod touch. As a port of the original first-person shooter, Classic includes the original three episodes as well as episode four for a total of 36 levels, customizable control schemes, both Deathmatch and Co-op multiplayer modes, the ability to listen to the original soundtrack or music from the iPod library, and more. Doom Classic is available now for $7.

Izy CG has released IzyPhotoTip, its latest application for the iPhone and iPod touch. IzyPhotoTip is designed to help photographers and travelers mark, locate, and revisit places where they might want to take a picture with more advanced photographic equipment. Features include the ability to manage, categorize, and tags shooting locations, add photos from the camera or library to a location, save the best time to shoot the location, share locations with friends, and more. IzyPhotoTip is available now and is priced at $4.

Apple is attempting to sell TV networks on a $30 monthly iTunes subscription plan for launch as soon as early next year, according to a new report. Citing multiple anonymous sources, AllThingsD claims that the company is trying to gain support for a possible monthly subscription service, which would be tied to iTunes, instead of a particular piece of hardware, meaning it could potentially be rolled out across multiple devices, including the iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV. The report claims that Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services, has been promoting the idea to industry executives, who, while intrigued with the idea, are also wary of straining relationships with cable providers.

Alongside the previously mentioned JBL Creature III speakers and other accessories, another major product debuting in our 2010 iPod + iPhone Buyers’ Guide is V-Moda’s new Crossfade headphones. Designed and aimed to compete with Monster’s Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, the Crossfades will be available in both Over- and On-Ear versions, with 50mm drivers in one and 40mm drivers in the other. Other features will include an included carrying case, swappable cables, and four available colors. Expect the Crossfades in December with a price tag of $200.

IvySkin is showing off its upcoming SmartCase for the iPhone 3G/3GS in the Sneak Peeks section; the Quattro-T4-based case will offer a 1500mAh battery on the rear, along with power indicator lights, a USB port to allow for charging of both the iPhone and SmartCase at the same time, and a button to switch the port into an iPhone sync mode. Expect it later this month for $80; the company is also working on a similar KeyPal case, which will add a hardware keyboard to the iPhone 3G/3GS as opposed to a battery. Finally, Griffin is debuting its Travel Stand for iPhone + iPod, a folding, portable video stand featuring an included cord manager and a flip-up video stand compatible with any iPhone, iPod touch, or fourth- or fifth-generation iPod nano; expect it in Wal-Mart stores for $15 later this month. For more information on these and thousands of other products for the iPod and iPhone, check out our 2010 iPod + iPhone Buyers’ Guide.

As always, the Sneak Peeks section of this year’s iPod + iPhone Buyers Guide plays host to exclusive images and information of several upcoming iPod and iPhone accessories. One of this year’s most anticipated new add-ons is JBL’s Creature III speakers. Based substantially offer the company’s prior Creature II, the Creature IIIs retain the subwoofer-mounted bass and treble controls and satellite-mounted volume controls of the prior model, and pack a 75mm low end drive, 40mm drivers in the satellites, and two colors to choose from when they launch in November for $130.

Also bowing in the guide is the Incipio duroSHOT V for iPod nano, a new case for the fifth-generation model that aims to solve the question of how to hold the diminutive player when recording video. As a solution, the duroSHOT V features a rear handle that folds out and below the camera for a stable hold, as well as a screw mount hole in the handle for attaching to a tripod and an included screen protector. It will be available in November in four colors and will sell for $25. Hitting stores later this year or early next will be the Scosche ReviveLite 2, which keeps the original’s mix of iPod/iPhone charger and nightlight but improves upon it with a front-mounted folding dock, a USB port for simultaneous charging of a separate device, and folding blades for more portability. It will sell for $25. For more information on these and thousands of other products for the iPod and iPhone, check out our 2010 iPod + iPhone Buyers’ Guide.

A combination of a certain Intel chipset and Windows 7 is leaving some iPhone users unable to sync their phones to their computers. According to a group of intrepid iPhone users on Apple’s Support forums, the problem appears to be caused by Intel’s P55 Express chipset and its USB controller, which leaves the Windows 7 machines able to recognize the iPhones but unable to sync. Users instead are greeted with the unknown error 0xE8000065. Notably, the problem appears to exist across both 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows; no workaround is currently known short of purchasing a new PCI USB card. [via Engadget | The Register]

It’s here: iLounge’s annual guide to the iPod and iPhone, plus their accessories, apps and games has arrived! Download the 2010 iPod + iPhone Buyers’ Guide today!

The 2010 Buyers’ Guide is your one-download shortcut to all of the best iPod and iPhone holiday shopping information we’ve compiled over the last year, designed to be useful for any sort of reader: new iPod and iPhone users will appreciate detailed shopping tips and the brand new iGlossary, which cuts through all the technical jargon related to the players and accessories, while hard-core fans will enjoy exclusive sneak peeks at JBL’s futuristic Creature III speakers, V-Moda’s metal DJ-style Crossfade headphones, and more! Additional details are after the download links below.

If you haven’t yet submitted your entry for our Sonix3 Earphone Giveaway, today and tomorrow are your last chance. In our Giveaway of the Month for October, Lenntek and iLounge are giving away 10 Sonix3 Earphones to lucky readers. To enter, simply fill out and submit the form on the giveaway page—the giveaway will end on October 31, 2009 at 11:59PM Pacific Time. Good luck!

The Iconfactory has released Pickin’ Time, its latest game for the iPhone and iPod touch. Pickin’ Time has players attempt to pick their chosen vegetable as fast as they can when it pops up. The game offers both a single-player mode plus single-device and Wi-Fi multi-player modes, as well as a family-friendly theme and original soundtrack. Pickin’ Time is available now and sells for $2.

UPS has launched UPS Mobile, its new application for the iPhone and iPod touch. UPS Mobile lets users track package and freight shipments, find nearby UPS locations, and estimate shipping costs and delivery times; users logged in with a My UPS ID can also nickname tracked shipments, see recent tracks, create shipping labels to e-mail and then print, access their ups.com address books, and use saved shipping and payment preferences. UPS Mobile is available now as a free download from the App Store.

Nikon has introduced Nikon Learn & Explore, its new photography application for the iPhone and iPod touch. Learn & Explore gives users access to a host of photography tips and information, including educational images and videos, advice on shooting techniques, guides to fundamental photography principles, a photography glossary, complete access to Nikon’s quarterly print magazine Nikon World, and more. Nikon Learn & Explore is available now as a free download.

Namco has released Garters & Ghouls, its latest title for the iPhone and iPod touch. Developed in collaboration with Big Blue Bubble, Garters & Ghouls puts players in the shoes of Marie Dupois, who has been summoned to battle a horde of baddies with dual on-screen stick controls. Features include over 25 levels, a variety of weapons and power-ups, extra downloadable content, the ability to share in-game achievements via Facebook Connect, and more. Garters & Ghouls is available now and sells for $5.

iPodweek, iLounge’s weekly newsletter summarizing the last seven days in iPod, iPhone, iTunes and Apple TV news, articles, reviews, and more, will be sent out later today. In addition to rounding up the week’s top stories, iPodweek also features giveaways and accessory discount offers from various companies. If you haven’t yet signed up to receive iPodweek, there’s still time to register and receive this week’s edition — just use the simple form below to submit your email address.

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The iPhone has officially launched in China, with reports of lines in the hundreds. Fortune reports that the first sale was made at 6:30 p.m. Beijing time on Friday, following a ceremony held at China Unicom’s flagship store, known as “The Place.” Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPod and iPhone Product Marketing, was on hand at the event, calling it “an extraordinary day,” while China Unicom officials revealed they now have more than 1 million iPhone 3G subscribers, most likely through its amnesty program that allowed owners of imported, gray-market iPhones to sign up for its services. According to reports, as many as 300 customers were in line to buy the handset at Unicom’s store in Beijing, while a strong crowd was also found outside Apple’s retail store in the city.

According to a new Apple Support document, new versions of previously purchased iTunes LP and iTunes Extras content will be made available for download for use with Apple TV Software 3.0. The document states, “New versions of previously purchased iTunes Extras and iTunes LP content will be added to your download queue, and you will receive an email alerting you when they are available. The content will be delivered to your iTunes application on your computer, and you can then sync it to your Apple TV.” It is unclear what changes are being made to the files in the updated versions, but iLounge editors had noticed problems streaming iTunes LP and iTunes Extras files to the Apple TV; the support doc specifically mentions syncing these files to the Apple TV’s built-in hard drive.

Apple has released an update to its Remote application for the iPhone and iPod touch. Remote allows iPhone and iPod touch users to control their iTunes installations or Apple TVs directly from their devices. New in version 1.3.2 is compatibility with iTunes 9 and Apple TV 3.0, as well as unspecified bug fixes. Remote 1.3.2 is available now as a free download from the App Store.

iLounge has posted an extensive gallery showing off the new interface of Apple TV Software 3.0 to our Flickr account. Included are shots of the new main interface, Genius, HD YouTube playback, Internet radio, iPhone/iPod touch Remote control, new fonts throughout the interface, and more.

Apple has released iTunes 9.0.2, the latest update to its digital media management application. According to Apple’s release notes, iTunes 9.0.2 “adds support for Apple TV software version 3.0, adds an option for a dark background for Grid View, and improves support for accessibility.” The updated software is a 92.8 MB download on Mac OS X Snow Leopard, and is available now via Apple’s Software Update utility, or as a direct download from apple.com/itunes/.

Apple has filed a new patent application describing a wireless headset with the ability to play music on its own while the external device is not being used. The drawings show a headset similar to Apple’s prior iPhone Bluetooth Headset, but with a port on the rear that can be connected to a cord or strap with a similar, iPod-style earbud on the opposite side for stereo sound. Proposed features of the device would include the ability to be used as an audio player, the ability to record voice notes, which could then be synced back to the attached device, the ability to cache voicemail recordings for offline playback, and the ability to record all or part of a phone conversation. As with all Apple patents, this filing does not necessarily represent any future product release from Apple, but offers evidence of the company’s research in this area.

St. Clair Intellectual Property Consultants, a Michigan-based company that has previously been awarded millions of dollars in lawsuits against consumer electronics companies such as Sony and Canon, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple in U.S. District Court in Delaware. The company claims that Apple has infringed upon four of its patents, entitled “Electronic Still Video Camera with Direct Personal Computer (PC) Compatible Digital Format Output,” “Electronic Still Video Camera with Direct Personal Computer (PC) Compatible Digital Format Output,” another entitled “Electronic Still Video Camera with Direct Personal Computer (PC) Compatible Digital Format Output,” and “Process for Use in Electronic Camera”. The suit claims that Apple has “made, offered to sell, imported, used and/or sold” digital cameras that “directly, contributorily, or by inducement” infringe on the patents, without naming any specific product. AppleInsider notes that in many cases where St. Clair was awarded damages, the defendants entered into licensing agreements with the company.

Apple is set to switch its retail stores from the current EasyPay portable point-of sale (POS) computers to iPod touch units using an advanced scanner accessory, according to an ifoAppleStore report. The new units will allow employees to capture data from multiple barcodes—such as UPC, serial number, product code, and cellular IMEI and ICCI numbers—in a single pass, and will allow for cash transactions to be handled without the need to head to a central cash drawer. It is unclear, the report states, whether Apple is using software developed in-house for the new system or a third-party solution. The current EasyPay system, which runs on Windows CE devices from Symbol Technologies and debuted prior to the 2005 holiday buying season, has been the subject of ongoing complaints from Apple retail employees, who claim the system suffers from crashes, Wi-Fi dropouts, and sluggish operation.

The National Basketball Association has released NBA League Pass Mobile, its latest application for the iPhone and iPod touch. Developed by MobiTV, League Pass Mobile gives iPhone and iPod touch users access to more than 40 live NBA games a week during the 2009-20 regular season, full game replays for up to 48 hours after each game, daily highlights, live player stats, live scores, the ability to set “Remind Me” alerts for favorite teams or key games, and the ability to send game and stat updates via e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter. All streaming video is available over both Wi-Fi and 3G connections. NBA League Pass Mobile is available now from the App Store and sells for $40.

Apple has announced the release of Apple TV Software 3.0, offering a number of enhancements, including a redesigned user interface. The new main menu interface spills across the screen horizontally, with menus for Movies, TV Shows, Music, Podcasts, and more. As revealed earlier, the software also provides support for Apple’s new iTunes LP and iTunes Extras formats, as well as up to 12 Genius Mixes, Internet radio playback, iPhoto Events and Faces, and more. Apple TV Software 3.0 is available now as a free download via the Update Software option in the device’s General Settings menu.

Apple has updated its iTunes Store Terms, revealing an impending Apple TV 3.0 update that will bring support for the iTunes LP and iTunes Extra formats to Apple’s set-top box. In a brief summary of changes made to the terms, Apple writes, “The Terms of Sale have been revised to clarify that you can now use iTunes LPs and iTunes Extras on Apple TV with software version 3.0 or higher.” Apple last updated the Apple TV’s software in June with the release of software version 2.4, which added support for gesture controls in the company’s Remote application for the iPhone and iPod touch. It also made a change to the device’s lineup in mid-September, killing the 40GB model and dropping the 160GB unit to $229. It is unknown when software version 3.0 will be released.

Wrappers has teamed up with renowned designers Paul Smith and Robert Kaufman for a new set of Sleeves for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. The Paul Smith of London sleeves feature Smith’s classic multi-stripe pattern in two colorways—one in bright shades of red orange, yellow and blue, and one in more subdued shades of green, brown, tan, and aqua—and sell for £17, or roughly $28, each. The Robert Kaufman sleeves sport either a purple “Bad Bone” skulls pattern or a “Hip Flower Power” black and multicolor skulls pattern, and sell for £14, or roughly $23, each. All four Sleeves feature a fitted build to prevent the iPhone from slipping out, microfiber waterproof lining, 3mm of compressed closed cell foam padding, offer complete covering for the device, require a 3-5 day build time, and are available now.