Apple releases iOS 6.1.1 Beta 1 for developers

Apple has released iOS 6.1.1 Beta 1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The update is only available to developers registered for the Apple iOS Developer Center for Apple’s $99 per year developer program.

The update continues to fix the issues with Apple Maps which has been hounding the company since the release of iOS 6.0. Apple has been working hard on improving their service in Europe and the United States, and they have now focused their attention on Japan.

With iOS 6.1.1 Beta 1, Apple Maps for Japan includes better pronunciation of roads using the new turn-by-turn facility, improved optimization of directions which now shows bias of highways over narrow, oft dangerous country lanes, and will also notify drivers of upcoming ones when using turn-by-turn.

Additionally there are more labels for junctions, interchanges, on-ramps, off-ramps and intersections. The update also ads indicators for transit station building, traffic lights and subway lines.

Apple clearly has its eyes on the lucrative Asian market and will continue focusing on regions like Japan and China over the following years. This particular update is a good indication on Apple’s goals.

Users who rely on a jailbreak are advised to stay clear of this update for now if you wish to continue using your jailbreak. Apple has likely taken this opportunity to patch the exploit that the Evasi0n jailbreak uses and we will have to wait for the jailbreak team to confirm its usability. 

Users are also advised to avoid downloading the IPSW files of this beta from unverified sources or torrent websites.