For the last few months, Apple has been intensively testing iOS 6.1, the next minor update for iOS 6. Up until now, only developers willing to spend $99 per year on an Apple developer subscription had access to beta copies of this release, but now that the final version is upon us, everyone can take advantage of it. Here is how to download it right now.
Before a new version of iOS is released by Apple to the public, it goes through several betas, in which developers get the chance to download, assess, and note of any significant bugs or issues. This system attempts to ensure the end-user release is as smooth as possible, and while many of you will have been using iOS 6.x, work has been going on behind the scenes to prepare iOS 6.1. Today, a new Beta 5 build is now ready for download for developers only.
Apple's iOS 6 may have been adopted in record numbers initially, but the release of the latest and greatest mobile software has been far from a smooth ride. Maps, which was meant to replace Google Maps at stock level, turned out to be as much use as a chocolate fire shield for many, and after a fair amount of controversy including a complaint from Australian Police suggesting its frailties potentially endanger lives, Maps has somewhat re-replaced Apple Maps following its App Store release last week. Meanwhile, iOS SVP Scott Forstall has gone the way of MobileMe, and with Apple is looking to turn a corner with its iOS software by bringing the updates at frequent intervals, iOS 6.1 Beta 4 is now available to developers.
Individuals who classify themselves as registered developers on the iOS development program will already be well aware that the second beta of iOS 6.1 has been available for past two weeks, but as always, the Apple engineers responsible for the development of iOS have been working hard behind the scenes making changes and improvements to the mobile operating system. The work put in over the last fortnight and the changes and improvements made have now manifested themselves in the form of an iOS 6.1 beta 3 seed to registered developers, available to download from the developers portal.
Apple have just officially flipped the switch on the release of iOS 6.0.1 update for their sixth major iteration of the iOS mobile operating system for compatible iPhone, iPod touches and iPads. Users of Apple's mobile hardware found themselves able to initially benefit from the reported two hundred new features that were bundled into iOS 6 back in September when it first became available. iPhone 5 owners on the other hand had to wait an additional two days to get their hands on iOS 6 when the device launched around the world.
There wasn't, perhaps, quite the palava last year when iOS 5 notched up an incredible number of betas before finally being released, but it's fair to say - as with any OS release - Apple has again found itself having to work tirelessly in order to ready iOS 6 for its scheduled drop date.
In March, Apple introduce the gadget loving world to the new and improved, next-generation iPad complete with a high-resolution Retina display and pre-installed with iOS 5.1. Straight after the media event, compatible devices all over the world started receiving notifications that an OTA iOS update was available, allowing iPhone, iPod touch and iPad owners to update their software and benefit from the minimal enhancements that iOS 5.1 brought.
Unlike the apparent panic displayed by Apple in the run-up to the original iOS 5 release, which saw an near-unprecedented number of betas seeded to members of the fruit company's developer program, there have been comparatively few reports of what is to be expected with its first major revision - iOS 5.1.
Apple has updated the firmware of its Apple TV (2G) to version 4.4.4, citing a series of negligible bug fixes as the reason behind the new release.
Apple has re-released iOS 5.0.1 (Build 9A406) specifically for its new-ish smartphone, the iPhone 4S. The device, seen by many as a modest touch-up from the preceding iPhone 4, has been dogged with battery issues from the get-go, with many consumers claiming 10% depletion per hour of the A5-powered device.
