Available both over the air (OTA) and as an IPSW file through iTunes

Mar 8, 2012 07:26 GMT  ·  By

Apple’s iOS 5.1 software update is finally available both over the air (OTA) and as a regular IPSW download through iTunes. Customers can grab the bits free of charge using either method.

Tim Cook confirmed during yesterday’s keynote address that iOS 5.1 was available immediately to end users around the world.

He touted various new enhancements, including updated versions of the company’s stock apps to cope with the sheer number of pixels available on the iPad 3’s Retina Display. Apple is calling it “the new iPad,” or “third-generation iPad.”

But that’s enough about the new tablet. You’re here to know about iOS 5.1 and what it delivers.

According to the fruity company headquartered at 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California, iOS 5.1 brings Japanese language support for Siri (Apple says availability may be limited during initial rollout), the ability to delete photos from Photo Stream, a modified camera shortcut on the lock screen for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (4th generation), a redesigned Camera app for iPad, and fixed bugs affecting battery life, to name the key additions.

Other changes include:

- Camera face detection now highlights all detected faces - Genius Mixes and Genius playlists for iTunes Match subscribers - Audio for TV shows and movies on iPad optimized to sound louder and clearer - Podcast controls for playback speed and a 30 second rewind for iPad - Updated AT&T network indicator - Fixed issue that occasionally caused audio to drop for outgoing calls.

Apple directs customers to its Support site for details on the security content of the iOS 5.1 software update. Sadly, the document people should be offered to read isn’t indexed there.

However, a little Google magic using just the right keywords churned it up in just a few seconds. We’ll be discussing the security content of iOS 5.1 ourselves later on today.

Here’s how to update your iDevice.

Download iOS 5.1 Software Update (Free)

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iOS 5.1 available through iTunes (iPad)
iOS 5.1 available as OTA (over the air) update on iPhone
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