Apple is expected to release iOS 4.3 this week so we thought it might be a good idea to go through the new features and changes that have been discovered in iOS 4.3 beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3 that Apple has seeded to developers of iOS developer program so you know what to expect.
Here is the list new features and changes in iOS 4.3:
Personal Hotspot (iPhone Only):
The personal hotspot feature will allow users to share their iPhone’s 3G data connection with up to 5 mobile devices.
The Personal Hotspot feature can be enabled via the Settings app.
iOS 4.3 will bring the Personal Hotspot feature to GSM iPhone users. It is already available to Verizon iPhone users.
AirPlay:
Apple had introduced the AirPlay feature in iOS 4.2. It allowed users to stream digital media wirelessly from their iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch to Apple TV 2G or any AirPlay-enabled features. However, AirPlay feature was only limited to pre-installed apps like YouTube and iPod/Video app.
iOS 4.3 will allow users to stream media wirelessly from other third-party apps, Safari mobile browser and also the pre-installed Photo app, thus unlocking the full potential of the feature.
Side Switch Toggle (iPad Only):
In iOS 4.2, Apple had changed the rotation lock to mute switch like the iPhone.
In iOS 4.3, iPad users will get an option to select the side switch at the top right corner either as a rotation lock switch or mute button.
New font for Notes:
Apple had given users the option to select from two new fonts in iOS 4.2: Helvitica and Chalkboard instead of only Marker Felt.
In iOS 4.3, Apple has replaced the Chalkboard font with the Noteworthy font.
Cancel/Delete App Installations Mid-way:
iOS 4.3 finally gives users the option to cancel downloading apps and delete them mid-way. Earlier the only option, one had was to pause the download.
Customize Alerts for Messages (iPhone only):
iPhone users will be able set the number of times they want to be alerted for an unread SMS/MMS.
Repeat Alert option has changed to Play Alert Tone and you can select from Once, Twice, 3 Times, 5 Times and 10 Times.
Redesigned App Store Updates page:
The App Store gets a redesigned updates page for the iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad. It will make it easier for users to install apps that you’ve already purchased (that they had deleted previously).
Push Notification For Ping:
iOS 4.3 allows users to setup push notifications for Ping – Apple’s social network for music so that they can find out what their favorite artists or friends are up to as soon as possible.
New Wait Button:
Apple has added a wait button to the Add contact extended keyboard and has moved some of the buttons around.
Tapping on the Wait button will add a semicolon to the number as opposed to pause which adds a comma.
The pause button has moved to where the ghosted 4 button used to be, the plus button has moved to where pause was, star has moved to where plus was and a new wait button has been added to where the ghosted 6 button used to be.
Below is the screenshot of the Add contact screen with extended keyboard in iOS 4.2.1:
And the Add contact screen with extended keyboard in iOS 4.3:
Parental Controls:
iOS 4.3 gets a new parental control for Ping – Apple’s social network for music.
Location Services Settings:
Location Services settings in the Settings app has been moved to the top-level instead of under General to make it more easily assesible.
Compatibility:
iOS 4.3 is compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 4th generation, iPod Touch 3rd generation and iPad. Unfortunately, iOS 4.3 will not available for iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2nd generation, which means that iOS 4.2.1 is the last iOS software update for these devices.
It needs to be seen if all the new features and changes mentioned above makes it to the final version of iOS 4.3 and if Apple will surprise us with additional new features.
Update:
Apple gave a preview of iOS 4.3 at the at the iPad 2 media event where it revealed two more features coming to iOS 4.3:
Faster Safari:
Apple has ported the Nitro Javascript engine used in desktop version of Safari to iOS so Mobile Safari browser in iOS 4.3 loads Javascripts two times faster. Folks at iSpazio and CNET UK have carried out some tests to find out the real world performance improvements of Safari browser in iOS 4.3 GM compared to iOS 4.2.1. You can find all the details here and here.
iTunes Home Sharing:
Allows iOS 4.3 users to play music, movies and TV shows on an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch from their iTunes library on a Mac or PC over a local Wi-Fi network. This feature was previously available only on the Mac and Windows PC.
Release date:
Apple has announced that iOS 4.3 will be released on March 11th.
So are you excited about the iOS 4.3 software update? Which one is your favorite feature? Let us know in the comments below.
