Apple updates software to handle the phone battery problem.

CUPERTINO, Calif. - Apple has released a software update to fix a problem that is shortening the battery life of some iPhones, iPads and iPods.

Apple has said that a small number of customers have reported lower-than-expected battery life on devices running on the company's iOS 5 operating system. That's the software that comes with the iPhone 4S and was available as a free upgrade for some older devices -- both iPads, the iPhone 3GS and 4 and the two most recent models of the iPod Touch.

Apple says it found bugs in the program. It released version 5.0.1 on Thursday to fix them. Users can get the update by connecting to iTunes.