Never miss an update Follow AppleInsider
Saturday, January 26, 2013, 12:00 am
Apple seeds fifth iOS 6.1 beta version to developers
Apple on Saturday released a fifth iOS 6.1 beta to developers, continuing the testing phase of the company's mobile OS that will bring users a number of features, including enhanced mapping options and Siri-integration, when it launches later this year.
While rumors claimed Apple would soon rollout an iOS 6.1 Golden Master, the beta supplied to developers today is not the finalized version that traditionally heralds an imminent public release.
Apple made the first iOS 6.1 betas available to developers in November of 2012, two months after iDevice users were given access to iOS 6. The version change came with a number of all-new features like the Apple-designed maligned Maps app, built-in Facebook integration, Photo Stream and Passbook, among others.
Past beta iterations revealed that iOS 6.1 will offer an enhanced Map Kit framework that will allow users to search for map-based place names and points of interest with natural language strings. In an example given by a developer with access to the beta, a search for "coffee" returned the location and corresponding information of nearby coffee shops.
Additionally, iOS 6.1 will offer Fandango movie ticket purhcases through Siri and refined iCloud security steps when setting up a new device.
The latest release comes over a month after the fourth iOS 6.1 beta arrived in mid-December alongside fresh developer versions of Apple TV software and Xcode.
Developers can access the fifth iOS 6.1 beta from Apple's developer website.
On Topic: iOS
- Verizon Cloud iPhone backup software launches on Apple's App Store
- Apple expands iOS Maps' 3D Flyover coverage of California
- Apple's iAd first major mobile ad-network to get Media Ratings Council accreditation
- Evernote gains reminders, Telltale's poker comes to iOS & Angry Birds Space goes free
- Google's new 3D Maps destroy Manhattan in the wake of Apple's Flyover
Previous Comments View All
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cash907
This is ridiculous. I get the feeling Apple is just stalling the release because they know 6.1 has already been jailbroken. Not like it really matters, as 6.1 doesn't bring anything substantial anyway. Siri integration in Fandango? Uh.. wow.
This is ridiculous. I get the feeling Apple is just stalling the release because they know 6.1 has already been jailbroken. Not like it really matters, as 6.1 doesn't bring anything substantial anyway. Siri integration in Fandango? Uh.. wow.
Apple should never release a point update if it only addresses bugs and usability without adding a laundry list of new features¡
Ha ha, I will always welcome an update as long as it's a step up. That Siri Fandango enhancement is probably just one of many fixes and enhancements.
Apple has really slow OSX and iOS releases. A person wonders what the hold-up is. I'm imagining that there's a major product release coming that Apple is holding the ponies back for. What could it be is the question?
Look for an Apple special event in March.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX 
Apple should never release a point update if it only addresses bugs and usability without adding a laundry list of new features¡
Apple should never release a point update if it only addresses bugs and usability without adding a laundry list of new features¡
Yes. I wonder if, in the wake of Maps, they've made a decision to increase software testing across the board.
.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
.
.
Are you trying to make a point¿ Ah, ok, it's a dot release, got it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
Apple should never release a point update if it only addresses bugs and usability without adding a laundry list of new features¡
Apple should never release a point update if it only addresses bugs and usability without adding a laundry list of new features¡
Actually, I frequently find, especially with iOS releases, that performance enhancements and various small refinements occur within almost every update...and are never mentioned once in the release notes.
Apple: The Quiet Achiever.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ascii
Yes. I wonder if, in the wake of Maps, they've made a decision to increase software testing across the board.
Yes. I wonder if, in the wake of Maps, they've made a decision to increase software testing across the board.
Maps hasn't been an issue for me. However the latest rev of iTunes is an unmitigated disaster. So yeah they need to try a lot harder with quality control.
As to iOS I'd expect a lot of fixes in this relaxes with a few features thrown in. IOS could use lots of help with text editing in various Apple supplied apps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wizard69
Maps hasn't been an issue for me. However the latest rev of iTunes is an unmitigated disaster. So yeah they need to try a lot harder with quality control.
As to iOS I'd expect a lot of fixes in this relaxes with a few features thrown in. IOS could use lots of help with text editing in various Apple supplied apps.
Maps hasn't been an issue for me. However the latest rev of iTunes is an unmitigated disaster. So yeah they need to try a lot harder with quality control.
As to iOS I'd expect a lot of fixes in this relaxes with a few features thrown in. IOS could use lots of help with text editing in various Apple supplied apps.
I remember with OS X they had many years rushing to catch up with Windows (not in terms of stability/user friendliness, but just in terms of "feature complete") then with 10.6 they took a breath and cleaned things up. Maybe iOS needs a stop and reassess release.
Latest Apple Headlines
-
iPad shipments could see first ever year-on-year decline in Q2, analyst says
~20 minutes ago -
Google's Motorola issues second appeal of ITC case dismissal against Apple
~2 hours ago -
iPhone urinalysis app draws scrutiny from FDA
~3 hours ago -
South Australia's first Apple Store draws line hours ahead of opening
~3 hours ago -
Best Buy to offer $50 off all iPhone 5 & 4S models starting Sunday
~6 hours ago - more...
Want to write for AppleInsider? Submit your application now!
| Model | White | Black | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad mini (WiFi only) | |||
| 16GB WiFi |  |
$329.99 | $329.99 |
| 32GB WiFi | |
$429.99 | $429.99 |
| 64GB WiFi | |
$529.99 | $529.99 |
| iPad mini (WiFi + 4G) | |||
 |
 |
 |
|
| 16GB 4G White | $459.99 | $459.99 | $459.99 |
| 32GB 4G White | $559.99 | $559.99 | $559.99 |
| 64GB 4G White | $659.99 | $659.99 | $659.99 |
| 16GB 4G Black | $459.99 | $459.99 | $459.99 |
| 32GB 4G Black | $559.99 | $559.99 | $559.99 |
| 64GB 4G Black | $659.99 | $659.99 | $659.99 |
Lowest Prices Anywhere!
| Model | Price | You Save |
|---|---|---|
| Core i5 MacBook Pros w/ Retina | ||
| 13" 2.5GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,406.48 | $292.52 |
| 13" 2.5GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,479.99 | $519.01 |
| 13" 2.5GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,699.99 | $799.01 |
| Core i7 MacBook Pros w/ Retina | ||
| 13" 2.9GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,599.99 | $599.01 |
| 13" 2.9GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,799.99 | $899.01 |
| 15" 2.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,899.99 | $299.01 |
| 15" 2.6GHz/8GB/512GB | $2,299.99 | $568.01 |
| 15" 2.7GHz/16GB/768GB | $2,699.99 | $499.01 |
This is ridiculous. I get the feeling Apple is just stalling the release because they know 6.1 has already been jailbroken. Not like it really matters, as 6.1 doesn't bring anything substantial anyway. Siri integration in Fandango? Uh.. wow.