Apple iOS 5.1, the next update to the company's mobile operating system for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, is now available.
Here are the highlights that Apple has listed in iOS 5.1's documentation:
- Japanese Siri: Siri, the voice assistant exclusive to the iPhone 4S, now will be able to understand and talk back in Japanese.
- Photo Stream: After Photo Stream debuted as part of iCloud and iOS 5, users quickly complained that once a photo was uploaded to the feature, they couldn't delete it. Fortunately, iOS 5.1 adds that option.
- Camera shortcut: iOS 5 added a nifty lock screen shortcut that allowed users to quickly shoot a photo without having to unlock the iPhone first. The only trouble was that it wasn't always visible, particularly when you really needed it. With today's update, though, the shortcut will be present at all times.
- Face detection: On the iPhone 4S, the camera app now will highlight all faces that it detects when you're trying to snap an image.
- iPad Camera app: The camera shutter has moved from the menu bar at the bottom of the viewfinder to the right side of the frame.
- Improved audio: iPad users also are set to get louder and clearer audio when watching television shows and movies.
- More Genius: iTunes Match subscribers now will get Genius Mix and Genius playlist suggestions.
- New podcast controls: You'll see new controls for changing the playback speed on podcasts and rewinding for 30-second segments.
- Bug fixes: iOS 5.1 addresses bugs that affect battery life and fixes an issue that sometimes caused audio to drop for outgoing calls.
Get this update over-the-air by connecting your iOS device to iTunes.
