iOS 6.1.2 to launch next week and fix bugs, report says

The next version of Apple's mobile operating system could launch next week, according to a report, and will fix the bugs found in iOS 6.1.1.

German blog iFun cites checks with different mobile networks as evidence iOS 6.1.2 will touch down before Wednesday. That might not be concrete proof, but 9to5Mac says the same site nailed the launch of iOS 6.1.1 using info from these sources. The PS4, HTC One, and iOS 6.1.2 all in the same two days? I can think of worse weeks.

The next version of Apple's mobile OS promises to fix a couple of flaws found in 6.1.1. Namely the fact that iOS devices won't sync with Microsoft Exchange servers, as well as the fact anyone can bypass the iPhone's passcode with a few simple steps, letting them use the phone and listen to your voicemails. Apple has said it's aware of both and is working on a fix.

iOS 6.1.1 launched this week to fix the bugs in 6.1 (which is only a couple of weeks old). Here in the UK, Vodafone warned customers using an iPhone 4S not to upgrade to 6.1, due to 3G performance issues. Then it went ahead and gave it the green light to 6.1.1. But not all was fixed, as this upgrade proves. Many complained that 6.1.1 drained the battery on their iPhone 4S much faster than previous versions. Seriously, it's like whack-a-mole, fixing these bugs.

Our very own Richard Trenholm opined on the matter at this time last year, lamenting how nowadays phones seem to be sold in an unfinished state. So what if it doesn't work? There's an update coming that'll sort all that out. I'd feel more than a little annoyed if I downloaded the latest update only to find it screwed my phone's battery life. I thought updates were supposed to improve performance, not hinder it.

[Source: CNET]

Apple releases MacBook Pro firmware update to fix battery issues

Apple has released the MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.7. The update addresses a very specific issue owners of the MacBook Pro (15- and 17-inch models, Early 2011) and MacBook Pro (15- and 17-inch models, Mid 2010) were having. Though rare, the issue would cause the laptops to unexpectedly shut down or stop functioning after more than 1,000 battery charge cycles.

The firmware update can be downloaded through Software Update on the select models, or users can download it directly here. Last month Apple released the MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.6, which addressed asimilar issue on other models.

[Source: TUAW]

Pinterest update improves group board management

Pinterest has just updated its app offering to improve the experience of managing community boards from your Android device. The new update -- version 1.3.1 -- lets users properly view the contributors to a community board, so you can see who is pinning items with you. The update also lets you accept or reject board invites, as well as leave boards you're already a member of.

You can grab a download or update of the new Pinterest app from the Play Store link at the top of this post. Users looking to grab the update on the Amazon Appstore will see the update appear soon.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

Vodafone UK advising iPhone 4S owners against iOS 6.1 update

If you're a Vodafone customer in the UK and own an iPhone 4S, you've probably received an SMS message from the carrier cautioning you against updating your device to iOS 6.1. If you somehow missed the alert, consider this your heads up.

Vodafone issued the SMS, which advises customers to "hold off for the next version while Apple fixes 3G performance issues," amidst reports of call dropouts and other network-related problems by iPhone 4S owners who've already updated. The wording of the alert suggests that Vodafone expects Apple to address the issues in iOS 6.1.1, the first beta of which just went out to developers this week.

If you've already updated to 6.1, well, hopefully we'll get word of when you can expect 6.1.1. to hit soon.

[Source: TUAW]

Confirmed: Jelly Bean update planned for BlackBerry 10 Android runtime

It's official: BlackBerry 10's Android runtime layer will be updated to Jelly Bean. Reports of the announcement, which should please users looking to shore up the platform's app selection, surfaced this morning, apparently stemming from the company's developer-focused BB Jam Europe event in Amsterdam. We've since reached out and received confirmation that it is indeed true, although no timetable has yet to be announced. In the meantime, current Z10 owners can continue to sideload Gingerbread-based apps -- which the runtime layer currently supports -- while they wait for those big name, third-party apps to land in the BlackBerry World store.

[Source: Engadget]

Get more performance on your MAC with Painter 12.2 Service Pack One

Today, the Corel Painter team released a free service pack available through its notification system, and at www.corel.com/updates. This patch includes several documented bug fixes and performance optimisations for both MAC and Windows. The patch includes a specific performance optimisation option for 64-bit MAC systems that have traditional SATA hard drives.

For more information, please visit the Corel Blog at www.corel.com/blog

iOS 6.1 Released for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch

Apple just released iOS 6.1 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The release says it includes:

• 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.

The update is available now, simply navigate to settings on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Significant Wii U Updates Announced by Nintendo

Nintendo promised this morning in their Nintendo Direct presentation that they plan to produce two system updates this spring and summer.

As you can see in the image above, these updates will bring quicker speed to the Wii U user-interface. Users have complained about this one for a while.

The spring update will also bring the Virtual Console to the Wii U. While the full VC catalogue will not be available at launch, they will come to the Wii U in batches. The bad news? You’ll need to re-buy your old games. The good news, however, is that they’ll come at a reduced price. Re-buy NES games for $1.00 and SNES games for $1.50.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Next Wii U system update due late December, will improve software loading times

The Wii U launch didn't go quite as smoothly as consumers would've liked, with a major update to sit through right after unboxing, and support for various video streaming services absent on day one. Well, head honcho at Nintendo Satoru Iwata has taken to YouTube and announced from his cream studio that the next system update is due late December. It's primarily being pushed out to improve the frustratingly slow software loading times on the new console -- an issue we highlighted in our review. Iwata only makes a fleeting appearance at the beginning of the video before it moves on to talking up the latest Dragon Quest iteration, but if you've got a decent knowledge of Japanese, the embed awaits you below.

[Source: Engadget]

Apple releases WiFi compatibility update for late 2012 Macs

Earlier today, Apple released a WiFi update for late 2012 Mac systems. The new software improves compatibility for devices on the 5GHz band and requires that your machine be running OS X 10.8.2. Qualified users looking to expand their system's connectivity can snag the 1.49MB update through the Apple Menu's Software Update tab, or by visiting the source link below.

[Source: Engadget]

Kindle Fire HD 7.2.2 update adds Camera app, Swype along with FreeTime Unlimited

Liked the sound of Kindle FreeTime Unlimited? Well it turns out that's not the only new goodie on the way. Software update 7.2.2 for the seven-inch Kindle Fire HD also brings a few other bonuses. First up, is a Camera app, to let you take mug-shots with that front-facing shooter, while the keyboard gets a boost with added Swype functionality. The update should come over the air automatically, but if that's not the case -- or, like us, you're not the patient type -- then you can manually initiate a software sync. More details on that can be found in the source.

[Source: Engadget]

Foursquare rolls out iPhone 5 / iOS 6 update, Explore gains more personalization options

Foursquare is on an update tear. Aside from the "Always On" feature it introduced recently, the company just rolled out a new iPhone update that lets users create more personalized maps. Compatible with iOS 6, the update improves upon the existing Explore map with a more tailored search experience -- you can map out places you haven't been, top destinations, favorite spots, or where your friends have checked in. The app also promises to be faster and to have an improved design that takes advantage of the iPhone 5's larger screen. The new update certainly goes along with the company's philosophy that Foursquare is a discovery and recommendations engine rather than just another social service. Let's just hope the new Apple Maps doesn't hamper that experience.

[Source: Engadget]