Apple has started beta testing of iOS 5.0.1, an update containing fixes for some of the most reported issues, including Batterygate, the inability to understand voice dictations with Australian accents, and more.
According to Apple, iOS 5.0.1 beta contains improvements and other bug fixes including:
– Fixes bugs affecting battery life
– Adds Multitasking Gestures for original iPad
– Resolves bugs with Documents in the Cloud
– Improves voice recognition for Australian users using dictation
– Contains security improvements iOS 5.0.1 beta introduces a new way for developers to specify files that should remain on device, even in low storage situations.
Those with early access to the beta can confirm that one of the security improvements is a fix for this Smart Cover bug. iOS 5.0.1 no longer allows the tablet to go to sleep while in power-off mode by ‘closing the lid’.
But clearly the most important fix in this new update is the one targeting battery drain. The release notes don’t specify any device model for the fix, but it is known that iPhone 4S suffers from this issue the most.
While some believe the problem is hardware-bound, it is almost certainly tied to bad power management through software.
Developers will have to confirm with Apple that iOS 5.0.1 indeed fixes the flaw before the company can issue a Golden Master build and then a final, public release.
Apple reportedly acknowledged to AllThingsD that, “A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices. We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks.”
Other bugs may turn up until the official release of iOS 5, which may spawn new betas with new fixes. Apple also needs this time to thoroughly test its battery fixes.
