iPhone Updates

As you probably know, Apple is preparing to unleash iOS 10 onto the world. As with most iOS updates, Apple users everywhere are scanning the list of new features to see how exactly this new update will improve their favorite devices.

Mostly though, what you’re likely looking for are the little things. While redesigns, bug fixes and new apps are all well and good, the thing that matters most to Apple users are those quality of life features that improve little things that bugged you about previous iOS versions.

Last Year's April Fool's joke reappeared in Cydia today, thanks to code that checked for the date and displayed a Twitter-inspired Quick Bar. Saurik explained that the prank was intended to emulate the discontinued Twitter iPhone app feature, which received poor reviews. The Quick Bar automatically displayed promoted tweets.

The feature was renamed the "dickbar" by some frustrated users before it was eventually removed by Twitter. Saurik realized that some people might get confused by the feature reappearing every April 1st, so he removed the code once and for all. Cydia 1.1.6 incorporates this change and can be updated using the Cydia app.

The iOS 5.1 firmware update came one step closer to public release as Apple has launched the third beta version to developers. Nearly a month after the iOS 5.1 beta 2 release, this latest version officially contains bug fixes and improvements. As is usually the case, as developers install and examine the new release more changes will be discovered.

Already it has been reported that the beta 3 version brings back a toggle under settings to switch 3G cellular data on or off. The toggle disappeared in an earlier release, despite the fact that having this option can help save battery life by reverting to EDGE data. iOS 5.1 beta 3 can be updated over-the-air (OTA) or downloaded directly from the Apple Developer Center.

Apple's universal reader app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch has just been updated to version 1.5. The new iBooks adds several new features including a nighttime reading theme to ease eye strain when reading in a dark room. Some studies have shown that viewing LCD screens before bedtime can keep some people from falling asleep quickly. Maybe the new iBooks will help.

Apple has also added several new fonts including Athelas, Charter, Iowa, and Seravek for your reading pleasure. For those who may have been irritated by the book-like graphics that take screen real estate away from the text, Apple has added a full-screen mode to remove distractions.