iOS 4.3 Is Out

Apple has released iOS 4.3 Software update for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod Touch 3/4th, and the iPad. The updates include Better Airplay, Faster Safari, iTunes Home Sharing, iPad Switch Choice, and finally Personal Hotspots. This is great, it's another leap in iOS.

iOS 4.3 Coming March 11

Alongside the iPad 2 being announced today, Steve Jobs with the help of Scott Forstall unveiled iOS 4.3 to the world. New features in the update include the Nitro Javscript engine from Safari on OS X to make browsing super sweet, new iTunes Home Sharing that lets you play content from iTunes to your iOS device over WiFi, new AirPlay features that we saw in the iOS 4.3 betas such as the ability for App Store apps to share audio and video. For the iPhone only, iOS 4.3 adds the personal hotspot feature but for only the GSM version and for the iPad it adds Photobooth and Facetime to take advantage of the new camera on the iPad 2. Oh and Apple is giving us choice of whether you want the switch on the side to be for locking the screen rotation or for it to be a mute switch.

iOS 4.3 will be a free download available on March 11 for the iPhone 4 (GSM), 3GS, iPod Touch 3rd and 4th gen and both iPad models.

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Verizon iPhone 4 Not getting iOS 4.3 Yet

On Apple's website where all the new information about iOS 4.3 it tells which devices iOS 4.3 is compatible with. Funny thing is the Verzion iPhone 4 is not listed under or even next to the iPhone section. It does have the iPhone 4 GSM Model but not the CDMA model. Even though the iOS 4.2.6 on the Verizon iPhone 4 has Personal Hotspot it does not have the new AirPlay Features or any of the Safari enhancements. I wonder what they will do.

Multi-Touch Gestures Finally Coming to iPad

 

With the release of the iOS 4.3 beta, several new features have been released for developers to test. A common complaint with the multi-tasking on the iPad is that double clicking the home button doesn't feel as natural as the iPhone/iPod touch. However, Apple has finally added the function to use four or five fingers for gestures. As shown in the picture above, swiping left or right moves between the open apps you have, while swiping up/down opens/closes the multi-tasking bar. When you use all four/five fingers to pinch in, you are taken straight back to your home screen. Simple, right? This feature feels very natural by utilizing the iPad's bigger screen, and should be a great addition to the iPad's growing features. 

iOS 4.3 To Bring Software Option for Rotation Lock or Mute on iPad

Apple drew the ire of many iPad owners when it released its iOS 4.2 software update last fall changing the rotation lock button into a mute button. Apple owners may now rejoice as it seems as if Apple has changed its mind giving us the option to choose between either rotation lock or mute in its newly released iOS 4.3 beta for developers.