IOS 5.1 Update Released: Apple Announces New IOS Features At IPad Event

Apple has made iOS 5.1, the newest version of its mobile operating system for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, available for download, announcing the update at Wednesday's iPad event. The latest version of iOS features support for a Japanese version of Siri, a new slide-to-open camera option on the lock screen, and a potential fix for battery problems that plagued many iPhone owners upon iOS 5's initial release in October.

Apple's first new version of iOS since November, iOS 5.1 is an update that Apple has been promising for several months, and which will supposedly address and fix the iPhone's much-noted battery issues. After iOS 5 was identified as the culprit for widely reported power problems on the new iPhone 4S back in October, Apple quickly issued iOS 5.0.1; that update, however, did not adequately solve battery issues for many users. Apple issued the following statement via email to HuffPost back in November:

The recent iOS software update addressed many of the battery issues that some customers experienced on their iOS 5 devices. We continue to investigate a few remaining issues.

iOS 5.1 is the result of that three-and-a-half month investigation. Aside from Japanese Siri and the camera button on the home screen -- users can now swipe up from home to open the camera app -- look for improved battery usage, as well as a fix to a well-publicized bug that was causing audio issues for some iPhone 4S owners, from the latest iOS update. The full list of new features, fixes and upgrades in iOS 5.1:

• Japanese language support for Siri (availability may be limited during initial rollout)
• Photos can now be deleted from Photo Stream
• Camera shortcut now always visible on Lock Screen for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (4th generation)
• Camera face detection now highlights all detected faces
• Redesigned Camera app for iPad
• 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
• Addresses bugs affecting battery life
• Fixes an issue that occasionally caused audio to drop for outgoing calls

So, how can you download iOS 5.1? Well, if your iPad or iPhone is already running a version of iOS 5, and you're connected to a WiFi network, then you don't have to plug in a thing: Just follow the handy instructions in the slideshow below.

Loading Slideshow

• Go to "Settings"

  First, touch the "Settings" icon on your home screen.

• Go To "General"

  Head into the General section of Settings.

• Go To "Software Update"

  Second from the top, head into "Software Update" to check for an update to your current iOS.

• "Install Now"

  You'll see this screen if there's a software update (like iOS 6.0.0) available. Touch "Install Now" to get started, but note that, as of now, Apple does not allow you to update your software over the Internet if you do not have more than 50 percent of your battery or if your iPhone is not plugged in to a power source. You also need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network, not just to 2G or 3G.

• Agree To The Terms And Conditions

  Read through the Terms and Conditions, making sure to note all relevant clauses and licensee restrictions, and then touch "Agree" to begin the download.

• You're Done!

  After a restart, you will have the newest iPhone software! If you want to make sure everything worked as planned: 1. Go to "Settings" 2. Go to "General" 3. Go to "About" 4. Scroll down to see which "version" of iOS you are running. Above, you can see that iOS 6.0 is indeed installed on my phone.

• No More Updates!

  You can also do Steps 1 through 3 to double-check that you're iPhone or iPod Touch does indeed have the latest software. When you go into "Software Update," you should see this screen if you have the most recent iOS.

• RELATED VIDEO

For photos from Apple's March 7 event, check out the slideshow (below).

Comments

[iloveipad85]

08:42 AM on 06/13/2012

Nice Post !
There is a very clear and straight forward explanation ios 5.1. Every feature is easy to understand.and the way of explaining is how we can download iOS 5.1 is easy to understand i will try it.Thanks for sharing this Latest iphone updatewith us.

[Jenny M Derfler]

05:41 PM on 03/18/2012

Already updated my iPhone to iOS 5.1. Didn't even need my computer. I might do this 4 future updates. All I need 2 do is buy more storage for iCloud so that it'll be able 2 backup my iPhone regularly.

[Corpilot]

12:51 AM on 03/15/2012

What it really is is a attempt by apple to kill jailbreak

[SillyMammo]

05:03 PM on 03/14/2012

How is this not the front page story?!? :0P

[pepper1311]

03:52 PM on 03/10/2012

If one takes the time and reads this was a security update as well. Go to Apple ,support, and read.

[Dan J S]

06:14 PM on 03/09/2012

iOS 5.1 made my 4s snappier! Now I can post on huffington at twice the speed to say Obama is the worst president ever!!

[OH canada]

11:09 AM on 03/10/2012

hate all you want, he's getting a second term.

[Aurical]

08:11 PM on 03/10/2012

And I can call you a tro// without worrying about my system crashing!

[snowboardfoo]

04:12 PM on 03/09/2012

way to buck up for the hand model :-x

[androidwarriorlol]

12:11 PM on 03/09/2012

banned from commenting

[ti9ne]

11:54 AM on 03/09/2012

ughhh,,,,a phone is a phone as long as i can get 911 for emergencys im fine...upgrade this upgrade again in 2 months..cause everyone else has it..2 many copy cats...

[Jenny M Derfler]

05:51 PM on 03/18/2012

During my first four months of having the iPhone, I thought it was pretty cool that I was part of the crowd. But now as I see more and more people w/ iPhones, I find it cultistically scary and weird! I mean, my sister has one, my friends have one, a couple of my friends' moms/parents/siblings have one, my cousin has one, my sister's friends have one, my driving instructors both had one, etc.

[ti9ne]

09:53 PM on 03/18/2012

i hear u..its like everyone wants 2 keep up with the jonses....smh..

[MarkInTexas]

08:50 PM on 03/08/2012

I don't care who loves or hates the iPhone or the android. All I want to know is is 5.1 an worthy upgrade? I'm not really having a problem with the battery. I don't speak Japanese. The 4G icon is BS. Is there a performance hit? Or do things run any better?

[KarateKid]

08:40 PM on 03/08/2012

What a sad life you h8ers must have, whining about what OTHER people use. On and on and on......

[shirleyfeeney]

01:11 AM on 03/09/2012

Amen.

[charmgirlblues]

07:03 PM on 03/08/2012

I was an Android phone user for many years and now that I have been an iPhone user for over a year, I will never go back. I don't need the newest phone but I do love the OS of the iPhone.

[amawesdude]

10:27 PM on 03/09/2012

I have no idea why... iPhones are way overrated. Apple in general is overrated.

I have a Samsung Galaxy SII phone and it's 1,000x's better then an iPhone. It's not even a contest.

- Better screen resolution
- Bigger screen (also multi-touch)
- Plays back any, and every video format possible
- I'm not restricted to iTunes or Apple in general for my media (videos, music, books, etc)
- Faster processor (faster phone)
- Can operate more apps at the same time (more RAM) without lagging
- Have access to TRUE 4G speeds, not Apples LTE speeds
- 8GB storage is standard (Can expand w/ as many 32GB sd cards as I want) iPhone has set amounts of storage for each phone "model" 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, etc.. and the prices are outrageous the higher you go
- Camera is 8.0 Megapixels, with a 1080p video camera (SICK NASTY =P)

There's a lot more technical reasons too, but yeah... You get the point. iPhone is NOT the best thing out there anymore. Samsung Galaxy SII kicks it's butt, and yes, it's Android - ROCK ON =P

[charmgirlblues]

11:44 PM on 03/10/2012

You have your opinion in which the iPhone is not the greatest thing out there and I have mind which I believe it is. Since I am referring a phone I paid for my opinion on MY phone matters. Seriously though thanks for the information on why you think the phone you own is the greatest thing out there maybe you will help someone with their next phone purchase.

[Christopher Zelig]

06:46 PM on 03/08/2012

I cannot keep up with all of this technology. I am going back to my pager.

[Kalifornicated]

11:31 PM on 03/08/2012

I can't answer the phone, my 8-track is crankin'!

[ti9ne]

11:55 AM on 03/09/2012

lol.

[Seer Clearly]

06:46 PM on 03/08/2012

I still don't get how buying an iPhone makes you different or better when everyone has one.

[Bobbo100]

07:03 PM on 03/08/2012

I have one because it has a brilliant camera and a lot of useful apps. siri is extremely useful as a calculator/converter.

I personally can't understand why something as cheap as an iphone can have this "better than" effect, but it really seems to. Well at least it did, loads of kids have them now, there not dearer than others if you consider resale.

[cungar]

04:22 PM on 03/09/2012

A brilliant camera?

[Kalifornicated]

11:34 PM on 03/08/2012

People who are looking to be different or better have another problem that has nothing to do with what phone they use. Best to choose what works for you and makes you happy. iPhone happens to make many people happy. I never thought much about it until I got one. I am a convert. It is easy, fun, and helpful in so many ways. Maybe not for everyone, but I am glad to have one.

[Bobbo100]

06:17 PM on 03/08/2012

There not even dear, I pay £37.50 a month, for 1350mins, 1gig, and unlimited texts, as it's Orange business, it also has a 24 month warranty, how can that not be a bargain ???

Also at the end of the contract you have something you can sell for a couple of hundred quid as oppose to getting a tenner from cash converters for your Android. Do the maths, iphones are cheap if you get it right.

Coupled with this, they really are good, I've had loads of different things in the past, but now it's iphone everytime.