IOS 5.1 Build Leaks, Shows Camera Slider and Japanese Siri

By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter Friday, February 17, 2012

Screenshots of the iOS 5.1 pre-GM leaked recently that display some interesting new features added to the software during the update.

The images were leaked by Portuguese language blog BlogdoiPhone who claims it received it from a local carrier. Two of these new features include a Japanese version of the artificial intelligence system known as Siri and a camera slider.

Tech site 9to5Mac commented on the leak. "We've already postulated that iOS 5.1 is most likely going to launch with the iPad 3 which is rumored to be March 7," wrote the site. "Today's leaked screenshots reveal two additional features in iOS 5.1: a new camera button on the home screen and Japanese Siri."

On iOS 5, users had to double-click the home button to reveal the camera button, but these new leaked shots show that the iOS 5.1 update will give users a camera button that slides up to turn on the camera. This new feature was probably added in order to avoid more accidental clicks.

9to5Mac also reported earlier this week that Siri would soon be available in Japanese and that anyone using it would now have access to that language. These screenshots confirm that earlier report by displaying the option in the language selection screen.

According to 9to5Mac, iOS 5.1 GM will most likely launch with the iPad 3 which is set to drop sometime in the beginning of March. One of the rumored dates is March 7.

The new Apple tablet is rumored to be featuring an A6 quad-core processor, and updated camera system, Retina display and 4G LTE.

It is also expected to launch on both Verizon and AT&T. Rumors also surfaced earlier in the week stating that Apple is currently testing an 8-inch iPad that could possibly be the iPad 3.