iPhone OS update supports Vodacom LTE
2013-01-29 08:23
Cape Town - Apple announced on Monday that an update to its operating system (iOS 6.1) would include LTE support for a range of mobile operators, including Vodacom.
LTE, or Long Term Evolution is a higher speed mobile network the industry believes will underpin the move toward 4G networks that will allow for better rich media streaming on mobile devices.
The iPhone 5 is the first device from the California-based company to support LTE, but users in SA who bought the device could not access the network on Vodacom because Apple had not authorised it.
The initial launch of the operating system attracted controversy when it emerged that Apple had developed its own mapping application.
Users reported several errors and the Australian police said the Apple maps app was potentially dangerous as they had to rescue users stuck hundreds of kilometres from towns in the Outback.
Apology
Apple CEO Tim Cook took the unprecedented step of apologising for the Maps program, saying users should download alternatives, like Google Maps.
"We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better," Cook wrote.
Apple specifically announced an improved Maps program in the 107MB update, with "turn-by-turn navigation and Flyover view".
The company said that the OS includes several "bug fixes" including language support for Siri, the voice-controlled application, in addition to LTE support for 36 iPhone carriers.
Some South Africans were initially upset at delays in getting their iPhones, but Vodacom said that despite some problems, they have been able to meet demand for the device.
"The new iPhone 5 has been a big hit with our customers over the holiday season. We've largely been able to keep up with demand, although some specific models, particularly the higher capacity ones, have been harder to come by. But we’re expecting more stock to arrive in the next few weeks," Nomsa Thusi, executive head of Media - Products and Services at Vodacom told News24.
The update is a free download and it is recommended that it is done over a Wi-Fi network.
- Follow Duncan on Twitter
