Earlier this week, Apple released iOS 6.1.2 which addressed an Exchange Calendar issue. Apple recently released a beta for iOS 6.1.3 which did not address a Passcode lock bug which has been plaguing users for some time.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple released the second beta of iOS 6.1.3, addressing the passcode lock bug. After several iOS updates which addressed issues individually, the original iOS 6.1.1 beta has now been renamed to iOS 6.1.3, which suggests that Apple addressed each of the issues with a separate iOS update. Originally, all of the bug fixes were intended for one single iOS update.

Release notes for the iOS 6.1.1 mentioned that it had Maps improvements for Japan, but this latest beta addresses only the passcode bug, meaning another update, likely iOS 6.1.4 will carry the Maps updates for Japan. 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. With the second beta of iOS 6.1.3 now in the hands of developers, it is only a matter of time before the final update is released to the public. Apple will only delay the release of updates if it causes other issues in iOS or if developers report that it is not operating properly.

{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}

Apple has yet to release an iOS 6.1 update, which is currently still in beta mode but has already released a new update for the new iPhone 5 and iPad mini. The update, called iOS 6.0.2 was released to fix a bug which sometimes caused the WiFi connection to falter or to not operate at all on the iPhone 5 and iPad mini.

There have been numerous WiFi related complaints for the iPhone 5 and iPad mini, which will likely subside if the update does in fact fix the bug. This is the second update for the devices after Apple released iOS 6.0.1 on November 1st to patch up issues pertaining to OTA software updates as well as cellular network issues.

iOS 6.0.2 Software Update

This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

• Fixes a bug that could impact Wi-Fi

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

As far as the release of this update goes, Apple only notes that it fixes the WiFi bug, however, it is unclear if the update fixes any other issues or if the company is awaiting the release of iOS 6.1 to fix any remaining major issues in iOS 6. During the initial release of iOS 6.0.2, many users noted that they were having issues downloading it over-the-air while other users mentioned that downloading through iTunes yielded a higher success rate.

{Via MacRumors}

Late last month, Apple released the second beta of iOS 6.1 to developers, testing out new features and bug fixes. Apple has now released the third beta of iOS 6.1 to developers with a build number of 10B5117b, as opposed to the build number of 10B5105c on the second beta. The beta includes features for developers to include new features into their applications to integrate iOS Maps, as well as fixes for boarding passes in Passbook and changes in Safari.

Apple normally releases two to three betas prior to releasing iOS updates to the public, however, it is also likely that Apple is being more strict after SVP of iOS Software, Scott Forstall was ousted from the company in regards to issues with Siri, Maps, and personal problems with other executives.

Alongside the iOS 6.1 beta 3, Apple also released a beta of the Apple TV software, as well as Xcode 4.6 Developer Preview 3. Developers who are registered can download the third beta on Apple’s Developer page. Developers can also retrieve the beta via Software Update on their iOS device if they have a previous version of the beta installed already.

{Via MacRumors}

On Thursday, the same day Apple released the iOS 6.1 beta to developers, the Cupertino, California based company also released iOS 6.0.1 to users of the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. iOS 6.0.1 addresses a host of issues with iOS and brings minor bug fixes for all iOS devices.

The update addresses an issue where in some instances, the iPhone’s camera flash would not go off, as well as an issue that prevented the iPhone from connected to a cellular network. The full list of issues that iOS 6.0.1 addresses is below:

• Fixes a bug that prevents iPhone 5 from installing software updates wirelessly over the air.
• Fixes a bug where horizontal lines may be displayed across the keyboard.
• Fixes an issue that could cause camera flash to not go off.
• Improves reliability of iPhone 5 and iPod touch (5th generation) when connected to encrypted WPA2 Wi-Fi networks.
• Resolves an issue that prevents iPhone from using the cellular network in some instances.
• Consolidated the Use Cellular Data switch for iTunes Match.
• Fixes a Passcode Lock bug which sometimes allowed access to Passbook pass details from lock screen.
• Fixes a bug affecting Exchange meetings.

According to AppleInsider, rumors about the release of iOS 6.0.1 and iOS 6.1 were noted last month. iOS 6.1 is a larger update and is expected to arrive after the holidays. However, iOS 6.0.1 is available for download now as an OTA (Over-the-air) update under Settings on any iOS device and is also available via iTunes when a device is connected.

Apple has also released an “Updater for iPhone 5” which will run on the iPhone 5 prior to installing 6.0.1 which fixes an issue preventing the device from installing updates. After running Updater, the iPhone 5 can then download and install iOS 6.0.1.

{Via AppleInsider}

Late last month, Apple introduced a standalone Podcasts app, pulling the service out of the Music app on iOS and building a new UI around it. However, soon after release, it became apparent that the app was ridden with numerous bugs as with any introduction of a new user interface or application.

On Wednesday, the Cupertino company addressed these issues with an update to the Podcasts application. Aside from performance and stability improvements, the app has also gained the following:

• Ability to remember custom playback speeds when flipping through new episodes
• Badges in Podcast library to identify number of unplayed episodes
• Fixes issue causing “Subscribe” button to defect and not operate properly
• More reliable artwork for “Top Stations”
• Miscellaneous bug fixes

Apple continues to remove smaller services built into iTunes and give them their own standalone applications and user interfaces. The app is currently offered as a free download on the App Store {iTunes Link} for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

{via The Verge}

The release notes in the leak and in the final release of 4.3, show a number of new features that add depth to the current application, lacking in interactivity and organization. The app brings interactive features, improved notifications, and improved search.

• More interactive Tweet view experience: content previews, videos, images and more will now be shown within tweets containing links to “partner websites.”
• Tweets about “selected events” will now be highlighted. Twitter will curate the relevant tweets and images
• In the Connect tab, autocomplete improvements will be now be present. Twitter rolled out something similar to their official website last week.
• Major push notifications enhancement: You will now be able to choose to receive push notifications when certain people tweet
• Like in Tweetbot, you will now be able to receive unobtrusive Twitter notifications while you are using the app.
• The Discover tab will now be able to alert users when new content is ready for perusal
• Personalized Trends
• You will now be able to tap a user’s avatar to be taken to their profile page
• Improved performance
• You will now be able to manually input your password when having authentication issues
• Hungarian localization
• Finally: the new Twitter logo will be featured on the icon (our image below is from iOS 6 Twitter integration)
• Also promised is a slew of other tweaks, more polish, and bug fixes

The update, released earlier in the week does not appear to be different from the leaked version shown. The App Store bug, which led to the leak of the Twitter update will most likely be patched up in Apple’s next beta release of iOS 6. iOS 6 is slated for release later this year, in the same October timeframe of the next generation iPhone and the rumored iPad Mini.

{via 9to5Mac}

Earlier in the week, Apple released iOS 5.1.1 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and now the company has updated the Apple TV to version 5.0.1. The update doesn’t bring any major features to the set top box, but now allows previews of movies and TV shows to be viewed in HD. Previously, the TV shows and movies could only be viewed in HD after the customer purchased it. In addition to this new feature, the update also brings a few minor bug fixes to the 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TV models. Other minor updates for the Apple TV include:

iTunes previews – Previews for movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store can now be viewed in HD.
AirPlay – Fixes an issue that caused some iOS apps to have trouble connecting via AirPlay.
Home Sharing – Improves the reliability of Home Sharing connections.
Netflix – Addresses an issue affecting Netflix login and navigation.
Stability and performance – Includes fixes for issues affecting stability and performance.

The update is now available directly on the Apple TV and can be downloaded by going to Settings>General>Update Software. Apple, with this latest update, is likely stabilizing the minor bug fixes and patching up issues in iOS 5 before the company releases iOS 6, the next version of its mobile software.

{via MacRumors}

On Monday, Apple released iOS 5.1.1, the latest iOS update since 5.1 which brought a number of bug fixes and battery life fix for the iPhone 4S. The latest free software update is only an incremental upgrade and as expected, brings a number of bug fixes and performance enhancements for the iPhone, iPad, and the iPod touch. The exact details of the update from the Apple website are as follows:

This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

• Improves reliability of using HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut
• Addresses bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks
• Fixes bugs that affected AirPlay video playback in some circumstances
• Improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List
• Fixes an issue where ‘Unable to purchase’ alert could be displayed after successful purchase

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Perhaps one of the biggest bugs in iOS that was fixed by this update was the bug that prevented the iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks, which could cause either the user to experience very slow data speeds or would force them to shut off 3G and turn it back on in order to bring the network back up.

It’s interesting to note that Apple picks up on minor bugs in iOS and pushes out fixes as quickly as they do. This is likely why iOS is one of more stable mobile operating systems out on the market, tightly controlled by Apple’s ecosystem and managed very well. iOS 5.1.1 is now available and can be downloaded via iTunes or the OTA (Over The Air) feature on all iOS devices running iOS 5 or later.

{via iMore}

iTunes 9.0.3 update is now available for download so hit the update option and check out what’s new!

Details:

iTunes 9.0.3 provides a number of important bug fixes, including:

• iTunes no longer ignores your “Remember password for purchases” setting.

• Addresses problems with syncing some Smart Playlists and Podcasts with iPod.

• Resolves a problem recognizing when iPod is connected.

• Addresses issues that affect stability and performance.

iTunes 9 comes with many new features and improvements, including:

• An improved look and feel, including a new Column Browser for easily browsing your artists or albums, movies, TV shows, and more.

• iTunes Store has a brand new look, with improved navigation for quick and easy exploration.

• iTunes LP and iTunes Extras create unique experiences that feature exclusive interviews, videos, photos, and more — available with select album and movie purchases on the iTunes Store.

• Home Sharing helps you manage your family’s iTunes collection between computers in your home. iTunes can automatically transfer new purchases, or you can choose just the items you want.

• Genius Mixes are created for you by iTunes and play songs from your library that go great together.

• iPod and iPhone syncing now allows you to organize your iPhone and iPod touch home screens directly in iTunes. Syncing is now also more flexible, allowing you to sync individual artists, genres, or TV show and Podcast episodes.

• iTunes U items are now organized into their own section in your iTunes library.

• Sync with iPod nano (5th generation), iPod classic (Fall 2009), and iPod touch (Fall 2009).

• iTunes 9 also includes many other improvements, such as HE-AAC encoding and playback, more flexibility with Smart Playlists rules, simpler organization of your media files inside an iTunes Media folder, and more.