This article was published on August 19, 2011

Apple releases iOS 5 Beta 6, iTunes 10.5 Beta 6, Xcode 4.2 DP 6 and Apple TV iOS beta 5


Apple releases iOS 5 Beta 6, iTunes 10.5 Beta 6, Xcode 4.2 DP 6 and Apple TV iOS beta 5

Apple has today released the sixth version of its iOS 5 beta to developers. The new version offers some stability improvements and bug fixes and is the third version of Apple’s beta software to be delivered over-the-air to devices, a new feature that Apple touted at WWDC as part of its new ‘post-pc’ strategy.

In addition to iOS 5 beta 5, Apple has also released iTunes 10.5 beta 6 and Xcode 4.2 beta 6 as well as beta 5 of the Apple TV software update. Apple has also released a new version of iWork beta.

The iOS 5 b6 update has a build number of 9A5302b and clocks in at 786 mb if you’re installing it directly or 144mb if installing it over the air.

As with beta 5, you can install iOS 5 beta 5 using over the air software update. In order to do so you must first erase all content and settings on your device by choosing Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Note that this will erase everything on your device, so make sure that you have it backed up. You can then update OTA on any device running iOS 5 beta 3 and newer by visiting Settings>General>Software Update.

We have seen reports of some folks being able to just update without erasing all settings though, so that’s probably worth a try before you erase everything.

If you’d rather not erase your device, you can also choose to update using the standard method by downloading iOS 5 beta 5 and updating your device via iTunes.

Note that Apple added a strong warning to the developer site during the last beta to those who are not using devices intended for development not to install iOS 5 b5.

This version of iOS is intended only for installation on development devices registered with Apple’s Developer Program. Attempting to install this version of iOS in an unauthorized manner could put your device in an unusable state, which could necessitate an out of warranty repair.

This warning is common sense, of course, but also brings to mind the fact that Apple seems to have been cracking down on those illegally selling developer slots to non-developers interested in running the beta.

A new notice during the download warns users that fees may apply if you begin downloading the update over WiFi and then disconnect during the download.

There is also what we believe to be a new option available in Twitter settings that allows you to give specific apps access to your Twitter account, or block them. Only the Photos app is displayed here currently.

If you choose to update via iTunes you should back up your device using iTunes 10.5 beta 4 first, then update, then restore your device to your backup using iTunes 10.5 Beta 5 or your iCloud backup.

The iOS 5 beta is available for download now on the Apple Developer site. Note that Apple requires that you have a developer account and a device registered on the site in order to download and install iOS 5.

iOS 5 is the next major revision to Apple’s software for iPhone, iPod, Apple TV and iPad devices. The new OS is slated for release in the fall of this year. You can see our complete rundown of the iOS announcements at WWDC here. We’ve also got a closer look at some of the features of iOS like iMessagesTwitterSetup and Notification CenteriCloud and alerts.

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