Apple has released iOS 6.1.3 Beta 2 to developers and it includes a fix for the much-publicized lock screen bug that was introduced when Apple released iOS 6.1. Apple has been having a rough time with its iOS 6 updates. They have enhanced iOS6 and squashed bugs, but in the process, its latest updates have been adding new bugs to iOS 6.

On Nov. 1, 2012 Apple released its first update to iOS 6, iOS 6.0.1. It contained bug fixes and security updates but also brought a new bug that affected Wi-Fi performance on iPhone 5 and iPad mini. On Dec. 18, 2012 Apple released iOS 6.0.2 for iPhone 5 and iPad mini to address the Wi-Fi bug.

On Jan. 28, 2013 Apple released iOS 6.1 which brought enhancements to Maps, Siri, battery life improvements and more; unfortunately it also created two very serious bugs. iOS 6.1 introduced a Microsoft Exchange syncing bug that caused iOS 6 devices to continuously loop when syncing a recurring calendar meeting invitation to Microsoft Exchange. It reduced battery life and caused so many network issues that companies, including AOL disabled meeting management for iPhones and told its employees not to update their iOS 6 iPhones and iPads. The second bug it introduced was a lock-screen security bug that allowed users to bypass the passcode lock, allowing access to phone functions and contacts.On Feb. 11 Apple released iOS 6.1.1 for the iPhone 4S that addressed a cellular performance and reliability bug. It was not intended to address the two new bugs.

Apple acknowledged it was aware of the Exchange and lock screen bug and said that it would issue a software update to resolve the issues. On Feb. 19 Apple released iOS 6.1.2 and the update fixed the exchange issue but did not fix the lock screen bug. Apple confirms that iOS 6.1.2 did not provide a fix for the lock screen issue and it would release yet another update to fix that issue.

It appears the issue will be fixed in iOS 6.1.3 and it is also rumored that Apple might also patch the exploit that the evasi0n team used to jailbreak iOS 6. Let's just hope iOS 6.1.3 fixes the lock screen issue without bringing any new bugs along for the ride.