APPLE: iOS 5.1 available to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch NOW

ios5-1-small.jpgAmidst the iPad 3/new iPad/JUST iPad drama last night we all seem to have forgotten that those of us with older models and lowly iPhones and iPod Touch devices can now download iOS 5.1, the latest version of Apple’s touch-based mobile operating system.

To get your hands on the update, you can either hook your iOS device up to iTunes through your computer, or use the Software Update feature within iOS to carry out an over-the-air, cable free update.

Apple lists the full line-up of changes on its website as follows, and although none of them are particularly ground-breaking, they soften the blow a little that we’re not able to get our mits on a new iPad just yet:

Japanese language support for Siri (availability may be limited during initial rollout)

Photos can now be deleted from Photo Stream

Camera shortcut now always visible on Lock Screen for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (4th generation)

Camera face detection now highlights all detected faces

Redesigned Camera app for iPad

Genius Mixes and Genius playlists for iTunes Match subscribers

Audio for TV shows and movies on iPad optimized to sound louder and clearer

Podcast controls for playback speed and a 30 second rewind for iPad

Updated AT&T network indicator

Addresses bugs affecting battery life

Fixes an issue that occasionally caused audio to drop for outgoing calls

Related: HANDS-ON: Tech Digest’s new iPad 3 initial review

Becca Caddy