A select few iOS 5 users have received the latest iOS 5 update, which fixes a battery-draining bug, according to 9to5 Mac.
Apple's iOS 5.0.1 was released to those in the AppleSeed program, which provides test, pre-release software to real-world users.
Those who take Apple up on its offer will not be able to downgrade from iOS 5.0.1 to iOS 5, 9to5Mac said. But they can upgrade once the final software is released. There are also updates to Siri for those in Australia, iPad multi-tasking improvements, and more.
9to5Mac also posted a memo that Apple Stores have reportedly received, which outlines how retail employees should deal with customers affected by the battery bug. "If you are helping one of these customers, follow standard procedure to rule out any hardware issue with the device," the memo says. "If no hardware issues are found, let the customer know that Apple has found a few bugs in iOS 5 affecting battery life and Apple will release a software update to address those in a few weeks."
Apple confirmed the bug last week. "A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices," Apple said in a statement. "We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks."
BGR later said Apple had released iOS 5.0.1 to developers with six updates. It fixed bugs affecting battery life, added multitasking gestures for the original iPad, resolved bugs with documents in the cloud, improved voice recognition for Australian users using dictation, contained security improvements, and introduced a new way for developers to specify files that should remain on device, even in low storage situations.
Reports of decreased iPhone battery life cropped up late last month in the wake of the iPhone 4S and iOS 5 releases. One user told the Guardian that he experienced a 10 percent drop every hour, and Apple engineers reportedly started contacting iPhone 4S owners about the "known issue" with its battery.
PCMag ran its own tests with a Verizon iPhone 4 running iOS 4, an AT&T iPhone 4 running iOS 5, and a Sprint iPhone, but did not see any huge differences between the three devices. The AT&T iPhone 4 died first after six hours, 55 minutes. The iPhone 4S lasted another 32 minutes, and the Verizon iPhone 4 died two minutes later.
For more, see 6 Tips to Boost Your iPhone's Battery Life and How Apple Got the iPhone's Battery Problems Right, And Siri Problems Wrong. Also check out PCMag's full review of the iPhone 4S and iOS 5 and the slideshow below.