iDOS Reinstated to App Store, Offers Emulated DOS Prompt
Posted 01/19/2011 at 4:35pm
| by Chris Barylick
More than two months after being yanked from the App Store, the controversial free iDOS app that allows users to run an emulated version of the DOS prompt has resurfaced. The app, which reappeared earlier this morning, has come back missing one key feature, the capability to use the file-sharing tool built into iTunes. In previous versions, this allowed users to add executables such as a a full-blown Windows installer and effectively turning the iPhone and iPad into nearly workable PC emulators.
Per CNET News, developer Chaoji Li has included six shareware games from classic gaming company 3D Realms as well as built a simplified game launcher that will load up any of those titles without the user having to enter commands on the virtual keyboard. And for die-hards who want to use the full real estate of the screen, the app now supports Bluetooth keyboards, however this only works in text-based games according to the documentation.
Users who downloaded the app back before it was first removed from the App Store will receive an automated notification to update from within the App Store. Li is urging users who'd like to retain some of the new features, but who want to be able to come back to an earlier version of the app to retain the file-sharing feature, to first make a backup of the app file.
Finally, the mighty TouchArcade has pointed out that there's still a way to add files to iDOS using Macroplant's cross-platform iPhone Explorer utility. While this solution does not require jailbreaking of your iOS device, it does straddle a certain gray area and may lead to the app getting yanked from the App Store again...