Apple just released a third beta version of the upcoming iOS 5.1 firmware (Build 9B5141a). The software is available as an over-the-air update for existing iOS 5.1 beta users, but is not yet available (update: now available) as a standalone download through Apple’s developer portal.
As you might imagine, it contains the obligatory bug fixes and improvements. According to the tips we’ve received, it also restores the Enable 3G toggle in the Settings app which has been strangely absent on the iPhone 4S since it’s mid-October release. This should help save battery by switching to Edge connectivity in order to maintain cellular data for applications that do not require high data throughput. iPhone 4S users are currently forced to choose between having 3G cellular data turned on, which decreases battery life, or turning off their cellular data connection altogether.
Just two days following the release of iOS 5.0.1 Beta 1 (which fixed bugs affecting battery life, enabled multitasking gestures on the original iPad and fixed the Smart Cover security flaw, among other things), and on the heels of yesterday’s release of iTunes 10.5.1 Beta 2, Apple today seeded its developer community with another point release, the iOS 5.0.1 Beta 2 software build 9A404 (the previous beta carries a build number of 9A402).
Developers should be able to download a standalone iOS 5.0.1. Beta 2 build through the iOS Dev Center, but we were having issues downloading the files at post time. Alternatively, registered developers can apply an over-the-air update directly on devices running iOS 5.0.1 Beta 1 by opening the Settings app, tapping General and then Software Update. Changelog is not available yet, but count on us to update the post accordingly.
What’s interesting here is that the button isn’t wider as originally prognosticated. In this scenario,it is actually shorter to make room for the bigger screen.
Earlier today we broke the news that an iPhone icon in the Photo Stream beta software had some new dimensions including a more edge to edge screen and an elongated button, which coincidentally matched the earlier rumors. One obviously possibility is that this device is a larger-screened iPhone 5. However, we’ve received word that of the two new iPhones coming out from Apple, this device might actually be the smaller, cheaper iPhone that is set for release at the same time.
One was called the “upgraded one, the iPhone 5″ and the other, “a new smaller one”.
To that end, we’ve got a mock up of what something like that would look like using current iPhone sizes, and the dimensions offered up by the icon (above) if it is a smaller device. If it is the bigger device, or at least bigger-screened device, It could look like the below:
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This would be a nearly 4+ inch screen, nearly the size of the Galaxy S line. Read more
Apple has just released iOS 5 beta 7 to developers as an over-the-air update. iOS 5 includes new features like Notification Center, Twitter integration, Newsstand, and iCloud support. The software update will become publicly available this fall, likely alongside the new iPhone lineup in early October. Apple has released iTunes 10.5 beta 7 and Xcode 4.2 beta 7 as well. Apple has also just released Safari 5.1.1 update 3. Let us know at tips@9to5mac.com anything you find!
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We’ve found that in the Wi-Fi sync settings there is now support for multiple Macs. Under each Mac you’ll find what categories your iOS devide will sync to. Thanks Christoph!
Additionally, the Nuance Text to speech is now available as a menu item (below)
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The following issues relate to using the 5.0 SDK to develop code.We’ve pasted the full change log for the new beta after the break:
Apple’s latest Photo Stream beta has an interesting icon that seems to look like the rumored iPhone 5s with extended screen and elongated home button (we count 4 pixels by 2 pixels – close up below the fold and actual icon, right). What do you think? Coincidence? (Thanks Steve and Olivier!)
