iOS 5.1 ‘Gold Master’ passes Apple testing, boasts two hidden features

According to this site which promises “solid industry leaks”, the Gold Master build of iOS 5.1 has passed internal Apple QAs. Simply put, a release is imminent.

For the past month now, rigorous testing of the new update has been put through the wringer by various mobile telecoms.

Rumoured updates (which we have already reported on) include Siri for Japanese speaking users, plus a simplified method of accessing the camera from the lock screen. There are also two new features which are yet to leak from Apple’s stable. We’re guessing Retina Display and LTE support for the new iPad.

Some tech sites have boasted screenshots of iOS 5.1, otherwise known as Gold Master 9B176 running on their (probably jailbroken) iPhones. But, and this is a massive but, Apple’s servers won’t certify the Gold Master firmware. Therefore any leaked screenshots of iOS 5.1 Gold Master would only come from an official tester, which are few and far between.

iOS 5.1 will most likely release with the iPad 3, so take any images confirmed as a “guaranteed leak” of iOS 5.1 with a pinch of salt.