iTunes

Apple has launched the latest version of its mobile operating system, iOS 5.1. So what can iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users expect from the update? Although it may not be a huge step, there are many additions and improvements to the firmware, some of which Apple did not officially announce before the release.

As usual, those iPhone owners running a jailbroken device should avoid the stock iOS 5.1 update until further notice. One of the previously heralded changes in iOS 5.1 is the addition of Japanese support for the Siri personal assistant. So what else has Apple included in iOS 5.1?

Once again, Apple is offering one lucky winner a $10,000 iTunes gift card for simply downloading an iOS app. Of course timing will determine who wins, with the 25 billionth app marking the winner and another milestone in the 3.5 year history of the App Store.

Apple ran a similar contest when the App Store hit 10 billion downloads in January of last year. As of this writing there are less than 700 million apps remaining to be downloaded according to the Apple contest page.

Transferring files to and from an iOS device to the computer is simple with the right tools. iTunes has limitations on what files can be accessed and transferred, but these limitations can now be overcome with DiskAid 5 software for Mac OS X and Windows. The free version of DiskAid provides access to the iOS file system, photos and makes it possible to use the iPhone as external USB storage.

No jailbreak is required to use this functionality on your device, although for root access to the iOS file system you will need to be jailbroken. The full version of DiskAid can be purchased for $24.90, which includes a license for three computers. Registering the paid version will open up additional features including the ability to transfer music, videos, messages, contacts and other data.

Apple announced their picks for Best iPhone App and Game of the Year on Thursday. Instagram beat out VidRhythm and Band Of The Day for Best App of the Year, and Tiny Tower topped Tiny Wings and Touchgrind BMX for Best iPhone Game of the Year.

The Best iPad App honors went to Snapspeed, and Dead Space won Game of the Year over Contre Jour HD and Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP. Angry Birds, Pages and GarageBand were some of the top selling iPad apps of the year.

Check out the iTunes 2011 Rewind here. It's like the Oscars for Apps!