It only took a day, but Apple's iOS 6.1.3 release on Tuesday is already embroiled in drama, once again centered around a lock screen bug that could potentially allow intruders to circumvent the built-in security method. But hey, Apple also managed to delight mobile music lovers by incorporating Audiobus support into GarageBand on Wednesday, so that's got to count for something… right?

Apple Adds Audiobus Support to GarageBand for iOS

Musicians got a nice surprise on Wednesday with a 1.4 update for the iOS version of Apple's GarageBand, which adds support for A Tasty Pixel's third-party Audiobus app. Audiobus is billed as a "revolutionary new inter-app audio routing system" for connecting Audiobus-compatible music apps together, and Apple's support of the app is certainly a big win for the developer. (To celebrate, Audiobus is half price for a limited time at only $4.99.) GarageBand for iOS 1.4 also features the ability to turn off grid snapping for finer control over region and note editing and fixes an issue that could result in feedback while connecting third-party audio accessories to the headphone/microphone jack.

Google Takes on Evernote by Adding Keep to Drive

The Google Official Blog announced the release of Google Keep, a cloud-based note-taking service currently available on the web as well as Android devices running 4.2 or higher. The Google Drive-based service seems targeted at users of the popular Evernote, but the search giant may find that service a tougher opponent than they expect, especially since their core features have also been available free for quite some time. The release of Google Keep also comes at a spectacularly bad time, with tech lovers still reeling over the loss of Google Reader -- which is making many users rethink their reliance upon Google services in general.

Walmart Expands iPhone-Based "Scan & Go" Checkout

Reuters reported Wednesday that Walmart is expanding a new iPhone-based pilot program that allows shoppers to scan items with their device, then pay at a self-checkout counter. The "Scan & Go" program kicked off last year at the company's Bentonville, Arkansas home turf, expanding to Atlanta and nearly 70 stores by the end of 2012. Walmart is now expanding that number to more than 200 stores spread across 12 new markets, including Denver, Phoenix, Omaha, Dallas, Austin, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Bozeman, Seattle, San Jose and Portland. The service allows customers to receive an electronic receipt as well as a paper version, and Walmart is teasing that digital coupons could soon be part of the mix as well.

Sprint Now Allows MVNO Carriers to Offer Bloatware-Free Devices

Our next news item from Wednesday has nothing to do with the iPhone, but it's certainly good news for our Android-loving friends. Sprint announced a new Custom Branded Device Program, which enables the carrier's mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to finally receive devices free of Sprint branding -- including the non-removable bloatware that is usually associated with them. The program is kicking off with only three devices out of the gate: LG Optimus G, LG Mach and Sprint Flash, but it signals a possible shift in the mobile industry that could lead to bloatware-free devices in the future -- a problem iPhone users have thankfully never had to deal with.

ABC Working on TV Live Streaming App for iOS

Disney-owned ABC was the first U.S. television network to offer a streaming app for its broadcast content, released the same day as the original iPad in 2010. Now the network intends to forge a new path, with The New York Times reporting that that a new app capable of live streaming ABC programming direct to smartphones and tablets is in the works. There's just one catch: You'll need an existing cable or satellite subscription to use it. Known in industry circles as "TV Everywhere," the subscription-only technology is already in widespread use with cable networks such as HBO and Showtime, but none of these allow live streaming with the exception of providers such as DISH Network, whose Slingbox-based DVRs are capable of sending live TV to an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad via Wi-Fi or even cellular data connection. No word on when ABC might take its big leap, and a number of obstacles still stand in the way -- not the least of which are local stations, who would have good reason to feel threatened by such a move.

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