On 10th November Apple released iOS 5.0.1, an update that brings fixes for users suffering from decreased battery life under iOS 5. The update also sports a couple of additional features, including multitasking gestures for original iPad users, and bug fixes.

Many users have noted iOS 5 resulted in a decrease in battery life, with some iPhone 4S users noticing drastic loss of charge throughout a day. A number of features were suggested as possible culprits, including a bug in iOS’s automatic time-zone functionality, location services, and more.

Apple responded to the complaints, stating that it had found “a few bugs that are affecting battery life” and promising a software update to address those issues.

In addition to the battery-related fixes, iOS 5.0.1 also brings multitasking gestures to users of the original iPad. Apple also says that the update fixes problems with Documents in the Cloud — the file-syncing part of its iCloud service — and improves voice recognition for Australian users of the iPhone 4S’s dictation feature.

A few security vulnerabilities were addressed in iOS 5.0.1 as well. These included, allowing an app to execute arbitrary, unsigned code due to a flaw introduced by iOS 4.3’s Nitro JavaScript engine. Apple also repaired a hole that allowed someone to bypass the passcode lock on an iPad 2 by using a Smart Cover.

iOS 5, for the first time, allows you to update your device without connecting it to your Mac or PC. To do so, go to Settings –> General –> Software Update, and then tap the Download And Install button. Alternatively, you can still connect your device to your computer and perform the update via iTunes.