Mojang submits Minecraft - Pocket Edition 0.6 update for approval

Mojang has just submitted the newest update for Minecraft - Pocket Edition to the App Store approval bods, meaning it should be available to download in a week or so.

As we reported last week, Mojang has been drip-feeding info on the new features from the upcoming build via its Twitter feed.

However, it turns out that this impending update is so darn huge that the dev is skipping over update 0.5.1 and jumping straight to 0.6.

So, what awesome features can Minecraft - Pocket Edition fans look forward to getting their teeth into when the new firmware drops?

First off, all the changes we mentioned in last week's 0.5.1 update round-up will be included in version 0.6.

This means you will be able to get to grips with new block types (Netherrack, Nether Brick, Block of Quartz, and Sandstone) and new stair variants (Nether Brick, Sandstone, Smooth Stone Brick, and Quartz).

You can also build stairs in corners, or even upside down if you really want to.

Secondly, those swanky new "sky rendering" effects (clouds!) Mojang promised to include have been, along with armour and working signs.

We also have confirmation that sand and gravel will indeed be subject to the laws of gravity. That levitating sandpit you built for your blocky offspring? It's coming down. Sorry.

On the creature-feature side of things, your Minecraft - Pocket Edition world will soon be filled with the teeny, tiny paw prints of baby animals. Aawwww.

Plus, if you want to get creative with your livestock, you can dye sheep different colours, and extract useful leather from cows.

What's more, in Mojang's effort to bring Minecraft - Pocket Edition in line with its PC cousin, recipes for crafting slabs will now yield six slabs instead of the current three.

You should also find that the Nether Reactor will spit out more items. Netherrack blocks are also set to replace the Obsidian blocks we've been working with until now.

Though this is all fantastic news for Minecraft - Pocket Edition fans, Mojang has a word of warning for Android users.

It seems that the newest version of Minecraft - Pocket Edition will only run on 'droid smartphones and tablets running Android 2.3 or later.

Our advice: check your Android build before attempting to update your Minecraft - Pocket Edition app.

As for a release date, experience tells us that the App Store approval process can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, depending on the stability and content of the update.

Could we see Minecraft - Pocket Edition version 0.6 appear this week? Possibly. Let's cross all our fingers.