Apple fixing iPhone 4S battery problem and other user issues

Apple is working to fix the battery problems faced by users of devices carrying its i0S 5 mobile operating system, solve a security issue with the magnetic SmartCover for the iPad 2 and add a new multi-touch feature to its original tablet.

The battery issue prompted loud complaints from some users.

Feature: Samsung Galaxy Nexus vs. Apple iPhone 4S

Just two days after Apple released to developers the first beta software fix for bugs that affect battery life of iOS 5 devices, the company has put out a second update to address the issue.

Apple said this week the fix for the battery-zapping bugs will be out "in a few weeks," yet the two betas -- just two days apart -- means we'll be seeing the update much sooner than that.

It's still unclear what's actually causing the battery problems for iOS 5 users. Some iPhone 4S owners reported their battery would last just hours, with only minimal use, and Apple didn't say either what's causing it besides "a few bugs." This led to a sprawl of homegrown solutions to "fix" your battery life problems, which my colleague Ian Paul rather funnily dubbed "sensible battery life management practices" (that seem to be commonplace on Android too).

There are a few other problems iOS 5.0.1 sets to solve.

One of them is a security patch to an issue with the magnetic SmartCover for the iPad 2. The glitch allows anyone to bypass a passcode on the iPad 2 with a SmartCover, by simply holding down the power button until asked to power off. Then, all you have to do is to put the SmartCover on, and then take it off, cancel the power down -- and you're in.

Users of the original iPad have something to look forward to in iOS 5.0.1 as well.

The update promises to bring four or five-finger multi-touch gestures, just like on the iPad 2 (although the feature appeared on the iOS 4.3 beta testing, but it didn't make the cut in the public release). The gestures allow you to swipe up for the multitasking bar, swipe left or right between apps (similar cards) or to pinch to the home screen.

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