14 DAY TRIAL // iOS 5.0.1 is now available to the masses following an internal trial run, as well as a beta testing session with select customers. As promised, the update delivers the battery drain fixes and other tweaks and enhancements.
iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users connecting their devices to iTunes will be greeted by a dialog saying that 'iOS 5.0.1 Software Update' is available for download, followed by the official release notes.
According to the company headquartered at 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California, iOS 5.0.1 contains "improvements and other bug fixes, including:
• Fixes bugs affecting battery life • Adds Multitasking Gestures for original iPad • Resolves bugs with Documents in the Cloud • Improves voice recognition for Australian users using dictation"
In usual manner, separate IPSW files will be served to owners of an iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad 2, iPad, iPod touch (4th generation), and iPod touch (3rd generation).
Apple says there are security fixes included in this update as well, but the iPhone maker is yet to update the Security Updates page (at the time of this writing) with the documented patches in iOS 5.0.1.
One security fix known to have made its way in iOS 5.0.1 targets the 'Smart Cover' vulnerability on iPad 2 tablets.
It has been revealed that Apple's iPad 2 has difficulty keeping the user's last activities private in the face of a magnet coming close to the sensors that wakes the tablet from sleep mode right after putting the device in shut down mode.
The seed notes for iOS 5.0.1 beta documented this vulnerability as a priority for the final release, hence it should be addressed.
It appears that Apple was reluctant to unlock a couple of hidden features that hackers recently discovered in the software - the Panorama mode in the Camera application, and an autocorrect keyboard function.