iOS 5.1

Google Maps seems to have found its way onto iOS 6 with help from a hacker, though it's not quite ready for its public debut.

Self-proclaimed iOS hacker and engineer Ryan Petrich tweeted yesterday that he was able to coax Google Maps to work on iOS 6 "with a little trickery." Though mum about his methods, he said that he was able to port the iOS 5.1 version of Google's app to run on an iPhone 3GS that had been updated to iOS 6. Petrich also included a short video clip showing Google Maps in action … Read more

Absinthe 2.0 has been released, bringing with it an untethered jailbreak for iOS devices running iOS 5.1.1. The jailbreak is compatible with almost every iOS device, with the lone exception being the revised $399 iPad 2 with 32nm A5 chip. A solution for the "new" iPad 2 will be released at a later date.

Before you begin, it's my job to remind you that jailbreaking your device is something you do at your own risk. Things are bound to go wrong when you're messing with settings Apple never intended for users to mess … Read more

After Apple's iOS 5.1.1 update was released last week, several users began reporting that their iOS devices had taken a significant battery life hit.

While the issues are not common to most users, it appears as though some iPhone and iPad owners found that the battery life they had come to expect was not apparent after updating to iOS 5.1.1 using Apple's over-the-air updating.

If you find your device is not getting the battery life it once was, a few troubleshooting tips provided by Apple Support Communities user sbaily4 could be of help.

First, … Read more

If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch is running iOS 5 or higher, you can now receive software updates over the air. What this means, to you, is that you'll no longer have to tether to a computer to download and install the update. Instead, you'll be alerted on your device of an available update. You can then can download and install it while on the go. Here's how it works.

To check for an available update, to go Settings > General > Software Update.

If an update is available, you'll see a screen similar to … Read more

Apple has launched an update to its iOS platform.

The company's iOS 5.1.1 update comes with bug fixes for AirPlay video playback and the "Unable to purchase" error message popping up after users buy something from their device. In addition, Apple fixed a bug that prevented the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks.

Apple's iOS 5.1.1 update comes just a couple of months after the company revealed iOS 5.1. That update delivered a host of new bug fixes, a few interface tweaks, and even a hint that the next iPhone could come with 4G LTE support. … Read more

iOS 5 users, beware a security flaw in Safari that can be used to trick you into visiting potentially malicious Web sites.

Discovered earlier this month by Germany security firm MajorSecurity, the vulnerability could allow cybercriminals to spoof the URL displayed in the browser, trapping users at the wrong sites.

"The weakness is caused due to an error within the handling of URLs when using javascript's window.open() method," explained David Vieira-Kurz of MajorSecurity. "This can be exploited to potentially trick users into supplying sensitive information to a malicious Web site, because information displayed in the … Read more

Apple's new iPad has been receiving much high praise for its Retina Display, the showcase feature during its unveiling earlier this month, but the inclusion of a 4G LTE-capable option has prompted quite a few discussions over whether Apple's new iPhone will be 4G-ready.

According to Krishna Sagar, a tipster writing to iDownload Blog, Apple is definitely working on a 4G LTE iPhone, and iOS 5.1 has the code to prove it.

Using iFile on a jailbroken iPhone 4 (running iOS 5.1, of course) Sagar was able to find code strings indicating 4G connectivity actions during … Read more

Apple's new iOS 5.1 seems to be getting better grades at preserving battery life. But not everyone is happy.

A glance at Apple's Support Communities uncovered a few threads on the topic.

Some posters found an improvement in the battery charge. One recounted a full day of activity using the phone and said "I've had days of not doing anything and lost more charge than this." Another reported positive results with a "significant improvement." A third poster said that the "iOS update seems to have really helped my iPhone battery drain … Read more

You say eether and I say eyether. You say neether and I say nyther.

AT&T says 4G; I say 3G. Let's call the whole thing off.

The confusion around 4G wireless networks rages on as the network indicator on the iPhone 4S changes from "3G" to "4G" after its update to the new iOS 5.1 software from Apple. In this edition of Ask Maggie, I deal with two questions from readers who are confused about what the icon change means for their iPhone 4S's and their service plans.

4G or not … Read more