iOS 5.1 beta disables settings shortcuts
updated 10:50 am EST, Wed November 30, 2011
Feature may go back to being jailbreak-only
The iOS 5.1 beta disables the ability to use homescreen shortcuts to jump to system settings, reports say. The unexpected feature was introduced with iOS 5, and is enabled by adding specially-formatted web links to a device's homescreen. Users can, for instance, jump directly to Bluetooth control without having to navigate through submenus in the Settings app.
Before the feature was discovered, the only way of enabling quick access to system settings was through jailbreaking. Why Apple would disable the option is unclear, but it could be considered a security vulnerability, or at least unsupported. Since iOS 5.1 has only just begun beta testing the change could also be reversed later on.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Boooooo!
Oh come on, Apple. That's just lame. If you'd instead offer us a better method to get to the settings, something along the way SBSettings does it, that would be something worthy of an .1 update.