14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has released a new software update for iOS developers adding fixes and improvements, including one 3G toggle, strings for a Chinese-localized Siri, and evidence of an iPad port of Siri Dictation, to name some of the key changes.
According to developer reports, iOS 5.1 Beta 3 (or build 9B5141a) was served recently both via OTA (over-the-air) update, and through Apple’s Dev Center.
Developers downloading and installing the IPSWs for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, are beginning to report a few important changes, such as a re-enabled 3G toggle in the Settings app for iPhone 4S handsets.
The option had been absent from the Settings menu since October.
The change is believed to be an effort to address the widespread battery drainage problems experienced by owners of Apple’s latest smartphone model.
A person commenting over at 9to5mac claims to have discovered code strings for Siri in Japanese. The blog appropriately points out to Apple’s promise that Siri will eventually support numerous languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian, and Spanish, in 2012.
According to the same source, additional code found in iOS 5.1 Beta 3 indicates that Apple is considering to deploy Siri dictation on the iPad.
While the first- and second-generation iPads may not support the function all that well (mainly because of the low-quality microphone build into the tablets), Siri dictation may well be headed for the iPad 3.
The discovery was made by a certain Sonny Dickson who was looking through the iOS 5.1 beta 3 settings application on the iPad.
He reportedly found a new section in the keyboard menu called “About Privacy and Dictation.”
As shown in the second image on the left, when opened, the user is shown the legal ties of Siri Dictation, as well as some feature information.
Siri, including Siri Dictation, is currently exclusive to the iPhone 4S.
