APPLE RELEASES IOS 6.1 BETA TO DEVELOPERS

APPLE RELEASES IOS 6.1 BETA TO DEVELOPERS

Apple recently released its latest operating system for iOS devices, iOS 6.0.1. At the same time, it also released a beta version of iOS 6.1 to developers, titled Build 10B5095f.According to a report by Apple Insider, iOS 6.1 beta is available for the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and iPhone 3GS; iPads of the second, third, and fourth generations; and iPod touch devices of the fifth and fourth generations. Apple Insider states that the beta versions of iOS 6.1, compatible with the iPad mini and the new fourth-generation iPad, are not offered on Apple's developer website.

The website reveals that the only major new addition to iOS 6.1 is said to be 'Map Kit Searches' as part of the 'Map Kit' framework. The feature now lets developers search for map-based addresses and points of interest.

New mapping feature coming soon

New features of iOS 6.1 revealed

Explaing this feature, Apple Insider states, “A new class labeled "MKLocalSearch" is also said to offer map-based content using a natural language string. This will allow users to enter place name information or portions of an address to return relevant information”. To quote an example, on searching for the keyword ‘coffee’, the results returned would be a list of coffee bars, along with information of each of them.We would need to wait for some time before iOS 6.1 is officially available to the public as was the case last year. iOS 5.1 was released roughly four months after the release of iOS 5.

Apple recently rolled out iOS 6.0.1, and an over-the-air (OTA) updater tool for the iPhone 5. With the update to iOS 6.0.1, a bug that prevents the iPhone 5 from installing software updates wirelessly over the air has been fixed, so has a bug where horizontal lines may be displayed across the keyboard. An issue that caused the camera flash to not go off has been addressed. The new version of the operating system also improves the reliability of iPhone 5 and iPod Touch (5th generation) when connected to encrypted WPA2 Wi-Fi networks, resolves an issue that prevents the iPhone from using the cellular network in some instances, consolidates the Use Cellular Data switch for iTunes Match, and fixes a Passcode Lock bug that sometimes allowed access to Passbook pass details from lock screen.Once the updater tool for iPhone 5 is installed, and the OS is updated, the update app deletes itself. This solves the problem of with the device not being able to get an OTA update. Alternately, one can tether the handset to a computer and install the update.

The biggest announcement by Apple at its event held in September, apart from the iPhone 5, was iOS 6. The new version of the operating system comes packed with many features and became officially available for download on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Apple has dropped iOS 6 support for the first generation iPad. iOS 6 could be downloaded directly on to your device through an over the air update, or you could let iTunes do your work for you by letting it download the update and install it on your iOS device.