iOS 6.0.1 with OTA updater tool released for iPhone 5

Apple launches the iPhone 5 in India today. The new owners of the iPhone 5 also receive a new version of the operating system -  iOS 6.0.1. Apple recently released a software update for iOS devices and an over-the-air (OTA) updater tool for the iPhone 5.

To download the new update directly on to your iOS device, go to Settings> General> Software Update.

With the update to iOS 6.0.1, a bug that prevents the iPhone 5 from installing software updates wirelessly over the air has been fixed, so has a bug where horizontal lines may be displayed across the keyboard. An issue that caused the camera flash to not go off has been addressed. The new version of the operating system also improves the reliability of iPhone 5 and iPod Touch (5th generation) when connected to encrypted WPA2 Wi-Fi networks, resolves an issue that prevents the iPhone from using the cellular network in some instances, consolidates the Use Cellular Data switch for iTunes Match, and fixes a Passcode Lock bug that sometimes allowed access to Passbook pass details from lock screen.

A range of bug fixes

A report by Cnet states, “Also included in the update is a fix for a nasty Exchange bug that could delete a meeting for all invited attendees if one user declined an invitation. The issue could be so bad that some companies put into place specific workarounds, warning those with iOS 6 devices to keep from declining invites and use a computer instead.”

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Once the updater tool for iPhone 5 is installed and the OS is updated, the update app deletes itself. This solves the problem of with the device not being able to get an OTA update. Alternately, one can tether the handset to a computer and install the update.

The biggest announcement by Apple at its event held in September, apart from the iPhone 5, was iOS 6. The new version of the operating system comes packed with many features and is now officially available for download on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Apple has dropped iOS 6 support for the first generation iPad. iOS 6 can be downloaded directly on to your device through an over the air update, or you could let iTunes do your work for you by letting it download the update and install it on your iOS device.

One of the biggest changes to the operating system is the addition of Apple’s own Maps app, which has replaced Google Maps on iOS. The new Maps app has a built-in search for local points of interest, with over 100 million possible suggestions. Other features of the Maps app are navigation, routing, 3D Maps, satellite imagery – that wraps around the 3D Maps – and the ability to get directions directly through Siri.

Speaking of Siri, the virtual assistant has got some updates too. The new Siri update gives it the ability to display scores and rankings of your favourite sports teams, the ability to launch apps directly through Siri, and integration with the movie review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes.

Safari has also received a major update – the ability to go full screen on the device by touching the arrows on the corners. Another major feature of the new Safari app is the ability to sync tabs between the desktop and iOS versions of Safari. This new feature is called iCloud Tabs. The new Mail app has also received some updates, including the ability to mark people as VIPs and the ability to flag certain mails for follow-ups.