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Topic: iOS

Apple releases iOS 6.1, available for download today

Summary: The iPhone and iPad maker has updated its mobile operating system to iOS 6.1, which includes greater LTE carrier support to 36 new iPhone carriers.

Zack Whittaker

By for Between the Lines |

Apple has released the latest version of its mobile operating system, iOS 6.1, available for download today.

archimedes_iphone5_lifestyle_outside_35438535_01_610x436
(Credit: CNET)

In a statement, the Cupertino, California-based technology giant said the new software will bring 4G long-term evolution (LTE) capabilities to 36 additional iPhone carriers and 23 additional iPad carriers around the world.

New LTE markets have been updated on Apple's Web site to include Denmark, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, and some Middle Eastern states.

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Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller said in prepared remarks: "iOS 6.1 brings LTE support to more markets around the world, so even more users can enjoy ultrafast Safari browsing, FaceTime video calls, iCloud services, and iTunes and App Store downloads."

A number of security fixes have been integrated into the latest software, along with software bug fixes. One new privacy feature, ZDNet's sister site CNET reported, is an option to reset Apple's advertising "non-permanent, non-personal, device identifier."

The software is available as a free update, and notifications will be sent out to supported devices today. iOS 6.1 is compatible with the iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, and 5; the iPad 2, the third- and fourth-generation iPad and the iPad Mini; and the fourth- and fifth-generation iPod Touch.

By the numbers:

  • More than 9 billion photos uploaded to Photo Stream

  • 450 billion iMessages sent, and more than 4 trillion notifications received

  • Nearly 300 million iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices on iOS 6 in five months

  • More than 800,000 apps in the Apple App Store, with more than 300,00 native apps for the iPad

  • 40 billion apps downloaded by iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch customers

  • More than $7 billion paid to developers to date.

Topic: iOS

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Talkback

21 comments
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  • WOW

    I didn't know the iPhone 5 was compatible with multiple LTE systems. I wonder if they are different hardware versions. Imagine if they only have "one" ip5 and just flash it for each carrier! That would be a super LTE gobi chip of sorts.
    LarsDennert
    Reply 1 Vote

    • I *think there* are three

      Not sure where I read it, but I think there are three iPhone 5 models. There are at least two as a guy at work decided to try and save some money by buying his while he was stateside. Cashing up, the guy in. The apple store beaned to mention that he wouldn't be able to get it serviced in a uk store... He got one here.

      There are usually at least two because of CDMA still existing stateside.
      MarknWill
      Reply Vote

      • Buying Phones State Side for UK based folk

        I can confirm that Apple Store in the UK did push back on providing ordinary support because my phone had been purchased in the US. However, I think its down to the individual you deal with in the store because 3 hours, a few apple employees and a lot of emotional pleas later they empathised with me and replaced my broken screen due to me dropping it (for a fee of course).
        nimaazodi
        Reply Vote

    • CDMA LTE

      More bands that Verizon's network uses for LTE. Verizon was first to establish the bands that other countries also use (ATT's fault for investing in LTE too late). The CDMA version of the iPhone 5 benefits more from iOS6 than the GSM version
      flyguy29
      Reply Vote

  • Already downloading

    I'm looking forward to the Siri and Match improvements.

    Updating my AppleTV as well.
    _NonZealot
    Reply Vote

  • Wishlist

    I wonder if there's any chance it does anything for the problem I have on my iPhone 4S of the keyboard shortcuts not working sporadically.
    agentstinky
    Reply Vote

    • I hear the next iphone will fix this

      I've heard it was a hardware issue but that's okay, you can just buy the next iphone and that will fix every problem.
      toddbottom3
      Reply 6 Votes

      • Just like they'll fix the Surface ReTard on the next version

        Said NO ONE EVER.
        toddbottom7
        Reply 3 Votes

        • You're right

          because most people have the intelligence to not call it "Surface ReTard". Most people who talk about it have the intellect of somebody who is older than 9 years old.
          Michael Alan Goff
          Reply 1 Vote

  • availatble for iPad 4th generation AND iPad mini?

    there's a 4th generation iPad?
    Jean-Pierre-
    Reply Vote

    • I guess it depends on how you count them, if I remember right.

      They had the iPad, the iPad2, then the new iPad that they didn't call the iPad 3, and then another iPad with the new connector on it and some other updates.
      brble
      Reply 1 Vote

    • yes

      the 3rd Gen iPad was released during spring 2012 and was named as new iPad. Later Tim Cook announced 4th Gen iPad with newer connector during Fall 2012 and it got the crown of new iPad title.
      Ram U
      Reply 1 Vote

  • Battery

    I would like to know if there is any difference for the battery strength in the I5.
    Eric I.
    Reply 1 Vote

  • What New Android Features Did They Copy This Time?

    Have they got multitasking working as smoothly as Android yet? Or are they introducing yet another faux-multitasking substitute to go with the half-dozen already cluttering IOS?
    ldo17
    Reply 3 Votes

    • To copy ..... you have to have an original

      Except for the built-in spyware, there is nothing original .... and last I checked, the Blackberry OS had multi-tasking years before Android became a cheap BB clone.

      Also, your definition of smoothly has very below spec requirements.
      wackoae
      Reply 3 Votes

      • Alright then

        Compare it to what the users got with JB 4.1 and then tell me this is a great upgrade.
        The largest chunk of this update simply allows apple and the carriers to make more money. A very small update to siri and the same for match.

        Not exactly ground breaking stuff. Yeah - android's playing catchup to IOS. Of course it is.
        Little Old Man
        Reply 1 Vote

        • As usual, not only don't you know what you're talking about

          … you can't even bother to read. This is not about existing carriers making more money, it is about carriers that currently can NOT offer LTE to the iPAD now being able to provide it.
          Also, um, care to mention a version of Android that was not about someone making money?
          You do understand this is capitalism, right?
          .DeusExMachina.
          Reply Vote

          • Re: care to mention a version of Android that was not about someone making

            CyanogenMod.

            [etc]
            ldo17
            Reply Vote

          • Which is distributed by and available on which carriers again?

            .DeusExMachina.
            Reply Vote

  • Does IOS 6.1 fix any of the IOS 6.0 Performance Problems????

    I'm very hesitent to update to IOS 6.1 after being burned by IOS 6.0. Especially since there is no supported way to goback. The press hasn't published anything about the performance problems, but the complaints are recorded at https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4317962?start=0&tstart=0
    JMBx
    Reply Vote
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