Apple has updated iOS to version 6.1 that allows 36 iPhone carriers and 23 iPad carriers around the world to provide access to the faster LTE networks offered in many locations.
The new iOS 6.1, which is available as a free software update will now allow users in the US to purchase movie tickets through Fandango via Apple's voice-assistant Siri and iTunes Match subscribers can download individual songs to iOS devices from iCloud.
Apple's marketing chief Philip Schiller said, "iOS 6 is the world's most advanced mobile operating system, and with nearly 300 million iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices on iOS 6 in just five months, it may be the most popular new version of an OS in history. iOS 6.1 brings LTE support to more markets around the world, so even more users can enjoy ultrafast Safari browsing, FaceTime video calls, iCloud services, and iTunes and App Store downloads."
The statement noted that it will include maps "with Apple-designed cartography, turn-by-turn navigation and Flyover view." Apple has also added a way to reset your Advertising Identifier, which monitors a user's web activity and provides the information to advertisers.
Other minor updates include redesigned playback controls on the lockscreen, minor changes in Safari and slight changes to boarding passes in Apple's Passbook software.
The previous iOS 6 update came in the form of iOS 6.0.1 in December last year accessible only on to iPhone 5 and iPad mini users. It brought a fix related to Wi-Fi issues on the company's newest devices.
Prior to this, the company released the
iOS 6.0.1 software update in November 2012, which was the first update to iOS 6 since its release in September 2012. It brough various bug fixes including one that kept iPhone 5 users from installing over-the-air software updates. It also fixed an issue with lines appearing on the software keyboard and a bug that deleted meetings from calendars when accepting an invitation.
To date, iOS users have uploaded over nine billion photos to Photo Stream, sent over 450 billion iMessages and received over four trillion notifications.
Apple shares rose 2.2 percent Monday to $449.55, but remain down some 35 percent from last year's record highs amid concerns about slowing growth for the US tech giant.
Here is a complete change log of the iOS 6.1 update:- LTE support for more carriers (complete list of supported carriers at www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/)
- Purchase movie tickets through Fandango with Siri (USA only)
- iTunes Match subscribers can now download individual songs from iCloud
- New button to reset the Advertising Identifier
(With Inputs from AFP)