Apple has seeded iOS 5.1 beta 1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to developers. Registered developers can now download iOS 5.1 IPSW from the Dev Portal.
Apple released iOS 5 firmware to the public on October 12, after seeding seven betas plus a GM build to developers before that. iOS 5 is Apple's greatest update to its mobile platform. It comes with over 200 new features. However the transition to iOS 5 hasn't been smooth. The new firmware has been plagued with critical bugs that has irked many iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users around the world.
The widely talked about issue with iOS 5 is the iPhone 4S battery drain problem. People who had got their hands on Apple's new iPhone reported that the battery on it was not performing up to the mark. To fix that problem, Apple reached out to iPhone 4S customers asking their helping in finding a fix for battery drainage issue. Soon after that, they released iOS 5.0.1 firmware for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to public hoping that it would put an end to battery worse. It didn't. Many users complained of facing battery issues after they had updated their devices to iOS 5.0.1 firmware. Apple once again took notice of that issue and said that it was working on iOS 5.0.2 which would finally end battery drain issues on iOS 5.
iOS 5.0.1 was a minor update, it only came with bug fixes and patches. No new features were added. However iOS 5.1 is going to be a major update. Not only will it, hopefully, come with fixes needed for eliminating battery issues, but it will also bring a couple of new features. Though don't expect to see some new features when you download iOS 5.1 beta 1 IPSW. The first beta is always riddled with bugs and doesn't reveal that much. However we're bound to get further insight in to the next major update of iOS 5 firmware as more betas are seeded to developers in the future.
Apple will release iOS 5.0.2 firmware in the coming weeks, but that is just going to be a minor update. While no release date has been given yet, it could take well over a month as well as several betas before the public is finally able to download iOS 5.1 IPSW. As previously mentioned, beta firmware is only seeded to registered developer. However if you're not a developer, you can download iOS 5.1 beta 1 IPSW from the direct links provided below. Be advised that you will not be able to downgrade back to older iOS 5 versions from iOS 5 beta 1. You will only be able to upgrade when the final iOS 5.1 is released. If you still plan on installing iOS 5.1 beta 1 on your device, please backup your device in iTunes before you proceed.
Download iOS 5.1 Beta 1 IPSW for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch:
Note: Due to copyright issues, download links have been removed.