iOS 6.1 Released

When iOS 6 was first released it didn't get the expected 'thumbs up' from the public. Many improvements needed to be made, including an update to the maps application. However, iOS 6.1 is now available to download. After four beta versions, the final update has been released by Apple, to the relief of customers. But is it all that we wanted?

The update is available for the iPhone 3GS and later versions of the iPhone, iPad 2 and later versions of the iPad, iPod touch 4th generation and later versions of the iPod Touch. It takes about 5 minutes to install on the iPad mini and may take longer on older devices. Here are the improvements and bug fixes that Apple have made to the software:

• LTE support for more carriers (there is a complete list of supported carriers at www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/)
• You can now purchase movie tickets through Fandango with Siri (USA only)
• iTunes Match subscribers can now download individual songs from iCloud
• There is a new button to reset the Advertising Identifier

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Although most iDevice users were hoping for a Maps update, there is no sign of one at the moment. It looks like we will maybe have to wait until iOS 7 for that to come. There aren't any 'visible' updates to the new software but there are a lot of bug fixes which improve the whole user experience. What will Apple do next?

Apple May Refuse Google Maps On iOS

Since Apple released iOS 6, piles of complaints have been made about the firm's own maps app. We are still waiting for an improvement. A new report cliams that Apple may refuse Google's upcoming Maps app for iOS, simply because the tech giant produced it's own.  As well as maps, Apple erased YouTube from the software, but allowed it to be downloaded from the App Store. Many people think that because Apple haven't made their own competitor for Google's YouTube, they agreed for it to be available to download.

If Apple don't allow Google Maps to be available on the App Store, they have to bring their maps app to the 21st century; otherwise people won't be too happy. With black and white images, shaky roads, not enough details and poor navigation; Apple need to step it up a gear and bring everything under control or they will come hurtling down to Earth.

iOS 6.0.1 Update

Yesterday, Apple released a new update for iOS 6. They haven't done anything noticeable with the software; but improvements and bug fixes have been made. The update is only available for the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS,  iPad 3, iPad 2 and the iPod Touch 4th generation. However, the iPhone 5 is not able to download software updates right now; iOS 6.0.1 will allow it to update. iPhone 5 users need to download an app from the app store to update to this new version. This problem might occur in the iPod Touch 5th generation too. Here is the full list of barely noticeable improvements:

 • Fixes a bug that prevents iPhone 5 from installing software updates wirelessly over the air
• Fixes a bug where horizontal lines may be displayed across the keyboard
• Fixes an issue that could cause camera flash to not go off
• Improves reliability of iPhone 5 and iPod touch (5th generation) when connected to encrypted WPA2                
    Wi-Fi networks
• Resolves an issue that prevents iPhone from using the cellular network in some instances
• Consolidated the Use Cellular Data switch for iTunes Match
• Fixes a Passcode Lock bug which sometimes allowed access to Passbook pass details from lock
    screen
• Fixes a bug affecting Exchange meetings

As well as this, the App Store doesn't crash when trying to update, search apps or look in the Genius section; but it still does when you want to look at the apps you have already purchased. It seems that Apple are still working on the Maps app, which has been designed with appalling accuracy and detailing. There will hopefully be another update early next year, maybe in February or March.