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Apple seeds iOS 5.0.1 to developers, includes battery fix and more

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Having confirmed that there are indeed issues with battery power involving devices running its recently released iOS 5 mobile operating system, Apple has begun making moves to sort out the problem by seeding to developers a new beta version of its iOS software.

The iPhone 4S seems to be particularly affected by the battery issue, with a number of users complaining of rapid drainage. However, it’s not clear why only some users, and not all, have been affected by the problem. 

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As reported by MacRumors, the Cupertino-based company released the new beta version of iOS 5.0.1 to developers on Wednesday afternoon. The update will fix the battery issue and also introduce a number of other changes. Apple has said it’ll be a few weeks before the new iOS is ready for users to download.

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Besides resolving the battery problem, iOS 5.0.1 will also:

– add multitasking gestures for the original iPad

– resolve bugs with documents in the Cloud

– improve voice recognition for Australian users using Siri

– contain security improvements

It’s widely believed that one of the security fixes will involve the issue with Apple’s Smart Cover, which made it possible to unlock a passcode-locked iPad.

Owners of the original version of the iPad will be pleased to see the return of multitasking gestures which they lost when they updated to iOS 5. The gestures allow multi-finger swipes and pinches that enable a user to, for example, switch between apps, open the multitasking tray and get back to the home screen.

Also, it appears that Australians have been having trouble getting Siri, the voice activated personal assistant, to do what they want it to do, with improved voice recognition coming in 5.0.1. 

UPDATE: An ominous report from Apple Insider late Wednesday afternoon said that some developers are having trouble activating their devices with the beta version of iOS 5.0.1.

Developers posting on the Apple Developer Forum are advising others to avoid the beta version for the time being.

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Trevor Mogg
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