A few weeks back, in the middle of February, we got a look at what was supposed to be some screenshots of the latest iOS 5.1 build, then in a nearly-done pre-GM phase. With Apple very likely to announced the next iPad, it seems like we could be seeing the release of the finalized 5.1 in the near future (maybe around the March 16 date we’ve heard tied to the tablet’s actual start of sales). The word out tonight says that, sure enough, Apple’s nearly ready to go with iOS 5.1, bringing the project up to its Gold Master build.

The iOS 5.1 GM is reportedly build 9B176. Obviously, we’re not going to be seeing any new features added at this point in time, as Apple makes sure it’s crossed all its “t”s and dotted its “i”s before the software’s release.

From the earlier screenshots, we saw new Siri Japanese support, as well as a modified way of accessing the camera directly from the lockscreen. There’s supposedly still more to the release that we don’t yet know about, with claims of two currently-unknown features. Color us intrigued.

Source: Chronic Wire

Via: iPodNN