14 DAY TRIAL // Apple this week released the third beta of iOS 6.1, an upcoming update to the company’s mobile operating system powering iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch players. Developers have had time to play around with the build, and are now confirming some new additions.
iOS 6.1 tinkerers are noticing changes to the iCloud setup screen, Passbook updates, a working “reset” toggle for the Advertising Identifier, Voice Dial enhancements, and new cellular data options for iTunes sync.
When it’s released to the public, the new iOS will ask customers to confirm their Apple ID password for FaceTime and iMessages when setting up iCloud on their respective devices, according to Reddit user insanj.
UK customers will notice updates to the Passbook sample card – the “movie tickets” listing has been changed to “cinema tickets” and “theaters” is now “cinemas.” Granted, this is not exactly a groundbreaking change.
The “Reset Advertising Identifier” toggle now works. iOS 6.1 also brings a feature that limits ad tracking on iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices.
Voice Control (not to be mistaken with Siri) now lets you activate a ‘Voice Dial Only’ option that prevents the utility from accessing other applications and services that may sound like what you just said.
Finally, iOS 6.1 includes an iTunes option in the cellular data settings which enables users to download songs over 3G and 4G/LTE data connections (turned off by default).
With this third beta release, Apple has told developers that iOS SDK 6.1 allows them to develop apps for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 6.1 using a Mac computer running OS X v10.7.4 (Lion) or later.
As usual, this version of iOS is intended for testing purposes only. Installation must only be done on devices registered with Apple’s Developer Program, and attempting to install this iOS in an unauthorized manner could put unregistered devices in an unusable state.