On Friday, Feb. 22 Apple announced it's working hard on an iOS 6.1.3 update, and has released the beta version to developers.
Version 6.1.3 is supposed to specifically tackle an iPhone security issue that allows people to bypass other users' passcodes and access their contact lists, voice mail and more.
In addition to the security solution, Apple is also including improvements for Apple maps in Japan. It's possible that Apple will disable exploits that users have taken advantage of in order to jailbreak their phones, but that hasn't been confirmed.
On Feb. 20, Apple released an over-the-air iOS update for iPhone users titled version 6.1.2. The upgrade fixed an issue related to syncing calendars with Microsoft's Exchange service, but for some reason it didn't address the passcode breaching liability.
On Feb. 14, Apple acknowledged the problem and released this statement to CNET, promising to fix the issue:
"Apple takes user security very seriously," the company said. "We are aware of this issue, and will deliver a fix in a future software update."
Many expected that fix to be included in iOS 6.1.2, but when it arrived the website Ars Technica found the same measures that successfully bypassed the passcode before still worked after the update was installed.
Ever since iOS 6.1.1 was released, iPhone 4S users have reported a wide range of functionality issues. There was the Exchange sync problem, severe battery drainage (some users reported their battery falling by 50 percent in half an hour), and, of course, the passcode bypass dilemma.
There's been no word yet on when the update will be rolled out to users, but iOS 6.1.3 will be available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
