iOS 5.0.1 arrives with battery fix in tow
Ahead of its original estimate, Apple released iOS 5.0.1 to users this morning. It's the first update to the latest version of its mobile operating system, and one that promises to fix bugs that gave users poor battery life on their devices. The updates comes a little more than a week after Apple first acknowledged that some users were, in fact, running into problems with battery life after upgrading to the newer version of iOS. In conjunction with that, the company released a beta version of the software for developers to test. A second beta of that software arrived a day and a half later. Apple has not copped to any specific reason as to why some users were experiencing shorter than usual battery life as part of iOS 5. Originally it was believed to be related to some of the hardware changes with the iPhone 4S, including a move to a dual-core processor, though some iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 users were experiencing issues as well.There's no telling how much of an improvement to battery life the fix will bring. Initial reports from users of the beta have been positive, with one going so far as to call it "nothing short of amazing." Besides tackling the battery life issue, one of iOS 5.0.1's headlining features is that it brings multitasking gestures to original iPad owners. The feature lets iPad users take advantage of multi-finger gestures to navigate between apps, and access certain features--notably pinching together the screen to go back to the home screen. Apple originally included the feature in an earlier developer beta, though removed it entirely in the final version of the software that went out to users with the first-generation iPad. The update also fixes a security issue with Apple's Smart Cover for the iPad 2 that would let users gain access to whatever app the owner of that device was running, even if they didn't know that user's lockscreen password. That bug was discovered late last month, after iOS 5 was released.Other fixes include a bug with documents in Apple's iCloud service, and improvements to voice recognition accuracy for Australian users using Apple's dictation feature on the iPhone 4S.The new software is available as a free update through iTunes. This is also the first time users get to try out Apple's built-in updating feature that's new to iOS 5.Not included in the update are two recently discovered, though for now inaccessible iOS features. They include a panorama mode in Apple's camera application that's able to take panoramic shots by sweeping the camera side to side, as well as a new auto-correct menu in the keyboard. Both of those features are tucked away within the depths of the software, but were pulled out by developers this week.Full change log below: This update 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 dictationImage form:CNET
Apple iPhone 5 gives the world a new connector- Lightning
Apple iPhone 5 gives the world a new connector: Lightning
Usually, it's hard to get a new computer connector to catch on.But Apple, which by selling more than 400 million iPhones has plenty of clout, isn't bound by the usual constraints. Thus, you can bet that the Lightning connector that debuts on the new iPhone 5 will be a success. The 5 arrives CNET's iPhone 5 reviewApple out to prove it's still kingPictures: Apple's big iPhone 5 revealHo-hum. iPhone 5 won't wow anyoneiPhone 5: No Steve Jobs, no sizzleiPhone 5: What we didn't getComparing the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S3 vs. Lumia 920Poll: Will you buy the iPhone 5?Apple springs leak - rumors were rightAn awful dock-connector changeApple shares up, down, then upStart your iOS 6 downloads September 19 iOS 6 hits major marksApple reworks, simplifies iTunesNew iPod Touch: Siri and a 4-inch screenNew Nano: Remembering the iPod MiniFull coverage: The iPhone 5 arrives The cable replaces the 30-pin connector Apple has used since 2003, back when it had only iPods to hook up. Like that connector, it's got a USB connection at one end.But at the business end, where it plugs into the phone, it's a lot narrower. It's got eight electrical contacts on each side, configured so it doesn't matter which way you plug it in -- a bugaboo with USB cables, particularly as they get smaller. And it's more durable, Apple said.Even though Apple sells a $29 Lightning port adapter, the new technology will mean obsolescence for some older accessories that relied on the 30-pin connector. "This adapter lets you connect devices with a Lightning connector to many of your 30-pin accessories," Apple said on its store page for the adapter, but then added a big caveat: "Video and iPod Out not supported."Today's announcement fulfilled reports of a new iPhone 5 connector, though not the rumored 19-pin design.More unclear is what the future might hold for Lightning. During its press conference today, Apple said Lightning has an "adaptive interface," which implies to me future versions might be able to plug into something besides USB -- sending high-definition video to HDMI, for example, or synchronizing over the high-speed Thunderbolt port that's on today's Macs.The Lightning port also is used on the newest iPod Touch, also announced today and also sporting the larger four-inch screen that's part of the iPhone 5.Apple's Lightning cable, up close. Unlike with USB, there's no up or down to the plug.AppleAlong with the adapter, Apple sells a $39 2-meter Lightning-to-30-pin cable, and a regular Lightning-to-USB cable costs $19.It's hard to imagine your iPhone slotting snugly into an old dock with an adapter in the way, though.You can always throw more money at the problem, however: Apple is working with accessory makers including Bose; JBL; Bowers and Wilkins; and Bang & Olufsen on support for the new connector.And the industry will follow. Apple and Intel have a significant challenge getting Thunderbolt to catch on, given that it competes with USB 3 and is a premium technology, but with millions of iPhone 5 models about to hit the market, Lightning is a mass-market reality.Corrected 2:54 a.m. Sept. 13 to note that the connector has eight contacts on each side.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Usually, it's hard to get a new computer connector to catch on.But Apple, which by selling more than 400 million iPhones has plenty of clout, isn't bound by the usual constraints. Thus, you can bet that the Lightning connector that debuts on the new iPhone 5 will be a success. The 5 arrives CNET's iPhone 5 reviewApple out to prove it's still kingPictures: Apple's big iPhone 5 revealHo-hum. iPhone 5 won't wow anyoneiPhone 5: No Steve Jobs, no sizzleiPhone 5: What we didn't getComparing the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S3 vs. Lumia 920Poll: Will you buy the iPhone 5?Apple springs leak - rumors were rightAn awful dock-connector changeApple shares up, down, then upStart your iOS 6 downloads September 19 iOS 6 hits major marksApple reworks, simplifies iTunesNew iPod Touch: Siri and a 4-inch screenNew Nano: Remembering the iPod MiniFull coverage: The iPhone 5 arrives The cable replaces the 30-pin connector Apple has used since 2003, back when it had only iPods to hook up. Like that connector, it's got a USB connection at one end.But at the business end, where it plugs into the phone, it's a lot narrower. It's got eight electrical contacts on each side, configured so it doesn't matter which way you plug it in -- a bugaboo with USB cables, particularly as they get smaller. And it's more durable, Apple said.Even though Apple sells a $29 Lightning port adapter, the new technology will mean obsolescence for some older accessories that relied on the 30-pin connector. "This adapter lets you connect devices with a Lightning connector to many of your 30-pin accessories," Apple said on its store page for the adapter, but then added a big caveat: "Video and iPod Out not supported."Today's announcement fulfilled reports of a new iPhone 5 connector, though not the rumored 19-pin design.More unclear is what the future might hold for Lightning. During its press conference today, Apple said Lightning has an "adaptive interface," which implies to me future versions might be able to plug into something besides USB -- sending high-definition video to HDMI, for example, or synchronizing over the high-speed Thunderbolt port that's on today's Macs.The Lightning port also is used on the newest iPod Touch, also announced today and also sporting the larger four-inch screen that's part of the iPhone 5.Apple's Lightning cable, up close. Unlike with USB, there's no up or down to the plug.AppleAlong with the adapter, Apple sells a $39 2-meter Lightning-to-30-pin cable, and a regular Lightning-to-USB cable costs $19.It's hard to imagine your iPhone slotting snugly into an old dock with an adapter in the way, though.You can always throw more money at the problem, however: Apple is working with accessory makers including Bose; JBL; Bowers and Wilkins; and Bang & Olufsen on support for the new connector.And the industry will follow. Apple and Intel have a significant challenge getting Thunderbolt to catch on, given that it competes with USB 3 and is a premium technology, but with millions of iPhone 5 models about to hit the market, Lightning is a mass-market reality.Corrected 2:54 a.m. Sept. 13 to note that the connector has eight contacts on each side.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
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