On Tuesday, Apple released iOS 6.1.2 to the public after initially releasing a beta to developers. The update addresses the Exchange Calendar bug that causes more acitivity on a wireless network, which causes the battery to drain faster.

Fixes and Exchange calendar bug that could result in increased network activity and reduced battery life.

Although initial reports mentioned that the update also addressed a passcode lock bug plaguing iOS device for several weeks, a number of users later reported that the 6.1.2 update did not address this issue. It is possible that Apple will release a iOS 6.1.3 update to address any remaining issues on the software.

Apple has been releasing a number of updates for iOS 6, stabilizing the software prior to the next major release of iOS 7, which is expected for this summer or later this Fall.

Issues with iOS 6, particularly Siri and Maps as well as internal conflicts among executives led to the ousting of iOS chief Scott Forstall. The iOS 6.1.2 update is now available online through Software Update under Settings on iOS, or through iTunes.

{Via TUAW}

According to German site, iPhone-Ticker, Apple is planning to release iOS 6.1.2 as early as next week. This comes only a few days after the Cupertino, California based company released iOS 6.1.1 to the public, which addressed 3G issues on the iPhone 4S. iOS 6.1.1 only addressed the 3G issue, so it is likely that the other features noted on the beta version of iOS 6.1.1 which was released to developers will arrive in 6.1.3, as this update also addresses specific issues.

Some of these features include updates to the Maps application for Japanese users such as updated freeway color to green and updated icons for some location categories including fire. The iOS 6.1.2 update is expected to address an Exchange bug and a lock screen passcode issue affecting iOS 6.1 users.

By releasing updates in increments, it allows Apple to quickly push out updates to the public while working on bigger issues with iOS at the same time. Apple is now being very thorough with its iOS updates, after experiencing major issues with Siri and Maps, which partly led to the ousting of iOS chief Scott Forstall.

iPhone-Ticker has a proven track record with reporting on iOS updates, having accurately reported on the iOS 6.1.1 update. The site’s report notes that the iOS 6.1.2 update will likely release before Wednesday, February 20th.

{Via MacRumors}

On Monday, Apple released iOS 6.1.1 for the iPhone 4S after seeding a beta of the update to developers last week. The update comes less than two weeks after Apple released iOS 6.1 to the public, adding new features such as new LTE carriers and the ability to buy Fandango movie tickets through Siri.

The new iOS 6.1.1 update fixes a 3G issue discovered in the iOS 6.1 update and comes with a build number of 10B145. The download is relatively small, coming in at 23MB, which makes sense when considering that it is only fixing the 3G issue on the iPhone 4S. Apple notes that the update will improve cellular performance on the 4S and does not go into detail about the issue.

About iOS 6.1.1 Software Update

This update fixes an issue that could impact cellular performance and reliability for iPhone 4S.

When considering that the iOS 6.1.1 update only addressed the 3G issue, it is likely that the other features noted on the beta released to developers will arrive as 6.1.2. Some of these other features include updates to the Maps application for Japanese users such as updated freeway color to green and updated icons for some location categories including fire.

Apple appears to be stabilizing iOS 6 as much as possible, before the expected iOS 7 update later this year. Issues with iOS Maps and Siri has caused many conflicts at Apple, including the ousting of iOS chief Scott Forstall as well as thousands of user complaints.

{Via MacRumors}

After releasing five betas to developers, Apple has finally released iOS 6.1 to the public, adding new LTE carriers for use on the iPhone 5 as well as the ability to purchase movie tickets with Siri through the new Fandango integration. Apple’s SVP of WorldWide Marketing commented on the update:

iOS 6.1 brings LTE support to more markets around the world, so even more users can enjoy ultrafast Safari browsing, FaceTime video calls, iCloud services, and iTunes and App Store downloads.

The update also brings smaller features such as the ability to download individual songs through iTunes Match as opposed to entire albums and a reset button for the Advertising Identifier.

This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

– LTE support for more carriers (complete list of supported carriers at www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/)
– Purchase movie tickets through Fandango with Siri (USA only)
– iTunes Match subscribers can now download individual songs from iCloud
– New button to reset the Advertising Identifier

The full list of LTE carriers includes the following:

• USA: Alaska Communications, Alaska GCI, Bluegrass Cellular, C Spire, Cellcom, Pioneer Cellular
• Canada: MTS, Sasktel
• Puerto Rico: Claro, Open Mobile
• Croatia: T-Mobile, VIPNet
• Denmark: 3, Telenor, Telia
• Finland: DNA, Elisa, Sonera
• Greece: Cosmote
• Hungary: T-Mobile
• Italy: 3, TIM, Vodafone
• Kuwait: Zain
• Luxembourg: Tango
• Philippines: Globe, SMART
• Portugal: Optimus, TMN, Vodafone
• Saudi Arabia: Mobily, Zain
• South Africa: Vodacom
• Switzerland: Swisscom
• UAE: DU, Etisalat

The new LTE carriers are currently supported only by Apple’s latest iOS lineup, which includes the 4th-generation iPad, the iPad mini, and the iPhone 5. They are not supported on the third generation iPad despite the device carrying 4G LTE connectivity. With this update, Apple made sure to thoroughly iron out any bugs, after the company experienced major issues with their iOS Maps application, as well as Siri which led to the ousting of iOS chief Scott Forstall.

Apple is expected to release iOS 7 later this year, likely alongside a refreshed ‘iPhone 5S’ or the rumored cheaper iPhone. The update is available for download via iTunes or as an OTA (Over-The-Air) update through Settings on any iOS device.

{Via MacRumors}

On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that Apple Inc. (AAPL) has fired the manager of the iOS 6 Maps team, Richard Williamson. Williamson lead the team that created the new iOS 6 Maps, which many users complained was not very useful, and was not entirely accurate in providing directions. In many cases, the Maps would display a location in the wrong city or country, and sometimes even in the middle of the ocean.

Following a major management shake up at AAPL, which removed Scott Forstall as SVP of iOS Software, Eddy Cue took over the role of managing Maps. Forstall was also reportedly involved “internal politics” at Apple, which also added to the decision for Forstall to be removed. This was one of Cue’s first major changes in his new position, looking for outside assistance now to help move Maps on iOS forward.

A team at Apple has been working to fix the mapping mistakes, focusing first on some of the most glaring problems, one person said. The satellite imagery over the U.K. has been improved and labels for popular U.S. landmarks such as the Washington Monument have been corrected.

The Maps application included in iOS 6 was essentially a 1.0 version, meaning that the Maps team was under an intense time crunch, and was not able to work out many of the kinks generally associated with any new application. Bloomberg also notes that the Maps team is working to fix many of the known issues, while Apple will likely begin searching for a new manager, capable of leading the existing Maps team.

{Via iMore — Image Credit: Apple}

On Thursday of last week Rovio released its most recent installment in it’s mega hit game, Angry Birds. The game has been an instant hit, netting 10 million downloads over by Monday of this week. Insane numbers, even by Angry Birds standards. Angry Birds Space takes the fun out of the atmosphere utilizing new physics.

Angry Birds Space was release for Apple iOS, Android devices, PC and Mac. Specific details on the number of downloads were not released. I found it interesting that there was not a free version on iOS when released, iOS being one of Angry Birds’ most prominent platforms for the game.

Peter Farago, vice president of marketing at the mobile analytics firm Flurry said “The closest success story I can think of is OMGPOP’s Draw Something, which racked up 20 million total downloads in five weeks.” So 5 weeks compared to 4 days is the closest comparison. Whether you like the game or not you have to admit that is pretty amazing.

Overall, this installment of Angry Birds changes things by altering a world class physics machine. There is something to be said for the depth of Angry Birds. I admit, its a simple pick up and play game but how many clones have you seen that haven’t gotten it right? Certainly didn’t do 10 million downloads over a weekend. I’ll continue to play my Angry Birds and agree to disagree with the haters. Download it and try it out, $0.99 isn’t bad and 10 million downloads can’t be wrong.

This is a shift from a previous survey that found around 55% favouring Android moving forward, over 40% for iOS.

The foundation for this belief seems to be that Android will be available on more flavors of hardware, and in effect more physical devices world-wide than iOS. That seems obvious when one considers the wealth of Android devices hitting the market in the coming months. Most notably Samsung’s own Galaxy Tab which is expected to be well received.

But there is still the problem of the varying levels of hardware capability in Android devices, and the widely ranging screen sizes, and versions of Android OS running on them. If manufacturers and Google can tidy up that mess a bit Android will be more of a threat to iOS but, until then we are not so sure.

Similarly more developers say they are keen to develop for GoogleTV in the future than for the AppleTV. This last statistic is a little easier to understand as we don’t even know, yet, if Apple plans to let developers get their hands on an SDK for AppleTV.

Do you think Android has the brighter future? Have your say in the comments…