Apple has begun sending out iOS 5.0.1 to some regular users in addition to seeding it to developers for testing, reports 9to5Mac. This release of iOS 5 addresses issues with battery life that some users have been complaining about.
This release is being pushed via Apple’s AppleSeed program that allows Apple to use certain willing participants to test their devices for bugs and issues.
Apple has released two versions of the iOS 5.0.1 beta to developers so far that contain the following fixes:
- 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
Apple confirmed that there were issues with the iPhone’s battery last week after it had begun using a small selection of users to track down the potential problems. It’s assumed that it is using the same pool to push out the fix.
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In addition to updating certain user’s phones, Apple has also issued an internal store memo detailing how to handle that some users will come in to Apple Stores to complain about battery life. In the memo, Apple instructs employees not to enact returns based on battery life and instead to inform customers that a software fix is forthcoming.
Some users of iPhone 4S devices have been experiencing shorter than average battery life, with the symptoms spread out all over the map, making it tough to track down the exact culprit, although some have suspected that time zone settings or location functions could be the culprit.
Apple has said to expect a fix, in the form of the official release of iOS 5.0.1, within weeks.
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