Apple seeds iOS5.0.1 to 'lucky few' end users

After seeding a beta of an update to its iOS 5 operating system to developers, Apple Inc. has started seeding the update to a few selected end-users, an enthusiast site reported late Wednesday.

Enthusiast site 9to5mac.com said the lucky few who got the iOS 5.0.1 update included customers who "complained" about battery life issues in iOS 5.

It said the update also includes improvements to Siri, the voice-activated assistant in the iPhone 4S.

 

Last week, tech site Boy Genius Reports said Apple seeded the beta form of iOS 5.0.1 but only to developers.

On the other hand, Apple cautioned the end-users getting this week's update that their devices will not be able to be downgraded to iOS 5.0, although they will be allowed to upgrade to the final release of iOS 5 when it comes out in the next few weeks.

The 9to5mac.com article hinted the improvements to Siri are particularly for Australian users.

Other enhancements in the update include multitasking gestures to the first generation iPad, and other bug fixes.

Meanwhile, 9to5mac.com said Apple Stores have received memos of how to deal with battery life issues.

“Basically, stores are not to replace phones with battery life issues and are supposed to tell customers to wait a few weeks unit Apple releases a software fix. Basically, if your battery is not working properly: deal with it,” it said. — TJD, GMA News