iPhone Firmware

Like clockwork, the next version of Apple's mobile operating system has been spotted by developers. The company routinely tests new versions of iOS ahead of release, and iOS 6 is no different. Some reports claim Apple will announce some of the firmware's features at WWDC in early June.

Apple is planning some significant changes to iOS 6, including replacing Google maps with its own software. Another reported change would allow developers to create applications that interact with Siri.

Apple released iOS 5.1.1 a few days after iOS developer pod2g announced that his jailbroken iPhone 4 running iOS 5.1 was untethered. Of course you will want to avoid the update if your device is currently jailbroken. For non-jailbreakers the update brings improved reliability for the HDR option when accessing the camera app, and a few bug fixes. Here is a complete list of changes:

Improves reliability of using HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut.

Addresses bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks.

Fixes bugs that affected AirPlay video playback in some circumstances.

Improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List.

Fixes an issue where ‘Unable to purchase’ alert could be displayed after successful purchase.

Apple has launched the latest version of its mobile operating system, iOS 5.1. So what can iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users expect from the update? Although it may not be a huge step, there are many additions and improvements to the firmware, some of which Apple did not officially announce before the release.

As usual, those iPhone owners running a jailbroken device should avoid the stock iOS 5.1 update until further notice. One of the previously heralded changes in iOS 5.1 is the addition of Japanese support for the Siri personal assistant. So what else has Apple included in iOS 5.1?

Screenshots of the next iOS version 5.1 pre-GM have leaked and show some minor changes in the works for Apple's next iPhone firmware update. One of the notable changes highlighted by Blog do iPhone is a lock screen camera button that never disappears. Instead of clicking the home button twice to bring up the camera button, the process is simplified.

When the iPhone is locked, to take a photo quickly with iOS 5.1 you can just swipe the camera button up. This saves the step of having to double click the home button then tap the camera button. Apple added the lock screen camera button to provide quick access to the photo and video app, while protecting photo albums and the camera roll until the device is fully unlocked with a passcode.

Rumors of Facebook integration on future iOS devices has been floating around for some time, with previous reports pointing to Facebook joining Twitter in the initial iOS 5 release. Although this was not the case, code in the iOS 5.1 beta 3 firmware seeded to developers shows that Apple continues to work on system-wide Facebook integration.

iMore has found evidence of Facebook references that could mean Apple will add this functionality in iOS 5.1 or another future release. The site explained that Facebook was expected to be integrated into iOS devices with the iOS 4 firmware launch, but Apple and Facebook couldn't agree on terms for the deal.