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A striking feature of iOS 6.1 relates to Long Term Evolution (LTE). The version extends LTE capabilities to 36 iPhone carriers and 23 iPad carriers across the world. This would go a long way in fuelling the migration to LTE.
LTE is a new standard for wireless communication. Its higher-bandwidth and lower-latency characteristics allow high-speed data transfers even for bandwidth-hungry content and applications. And its all-Internet Protocol (IP) architecture, spectral efficiency and bandwidth flexibility improve the overall network economics besides infusing capabilities that go far beyond the traditional voice and data services. LTE-powered iOS 6.1 users will be able to browse, download and stream content at blazing fast speeds and this standard will diametrically improve the performance of applications such as the Safari browser, FaceTime video calls, iCloud services, iTunes downloads, and more.
iOS 6 had improved Siri in a big way, equipping it to: recognize more language; provide easy and seamless access to sports scores, restaurant recommendations and movie listings; facility to post directly to Facebook and Twitter; share photo streams; and much more. iOS 6.1 shows a continuation of this trend. It is now possible to use Siri to purchase movie tickets in the US and for iTunes Match subscribers to use Siri to download individual songs to their iOS devices from iCloud.
iOS 6 had effected a landmark change when it did away with Google maps and introduced its own maps complete with 3D images, real-time traffic information, turn by turn navigation, interactive maps for urban areas, etc. iOS 6.1 enhances maps further by improving the user interface and making integration with Siri even better.
Among the other updates, Apple TV users will now be able to connect with Bluetooth keyboard and take their experience to a new level.
Such functional upgradations apart, iOS 6.1 also makes a few tweaks to the way applications work. For instance, users now have to confirm their Apple ID and password for FaceTime and iMessages when starting the device for the first time after installation. Then there is a new option for ‘voice dial only’ and a new mobile/cellular data toggle for data for iTunes.
Some flaws in the earlier version, such as the Reset Advertising Identifier option in the settings which has hitherto been non-functional, have been corrected.
iOS 6.1 is available as a free update to almost all current versions of iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch phones. As things stand, users are lapping it up at an amazing speed. The first 36 hours into the launch has already seen a record 13million iOS user downloads. As of now, one in every four iOS user has already downloaded iOS 6.1!
