iOS 4.3 IPSW Available for Download with Personal Hotspot Feature in March - Report

Various sources are going on record to claim that Apple is planning a March release for its iOS 4.3 software update tasked with bringing all devices up to feature parity with the Verizon iOS 4.2.5 firmware, which adds a little extra.

Specifically, Verizon CDMA iPhones are equipped with an iOS version (4.2.5) which permits users of the handset to turn it into a mobile hotspot.

“iPhone 4 is the most innovative phone in the world, featuring Apple’s stunning Retina display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone resulting in super crisp text, images and video, and FaceTime, which makes video calling a reality,” Apple and Verizon said in an official statement on January 11.

“iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless will also include new Personal Hotspot capabilities allowing customers to use iPhone 4 to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices,” the two companies confirmed yesterday (emphasis ours)

According to reports by iPhoneclub.nl and iPhoneHellas, Apple will be bringing the same personal hotspot support to current GSM iPhone 4 units via a forthcoming iOS 4.3 release, MacRumors points out.

While some may be reluctant to believe the veracity of these posts, the Boy Genius Report chimes in to “confirm” with one of its sources that the hotspot functionality will, indeed, be a part of iOS 4.3, which is due for release in March, this source allegedly said.

With AT&T having to agree to allow this functionality on its network, users might not see the support added right away, BGR speculates.

Whether March is the time when iOS 4.3 drops remains to be seen.

However, when the new software does ship, Apple will most likely include additional features and fixes as well, and may distribute the update to all iPhones (including the CDMA-ready Verizon model), not just the GSM iPhone 4 carried by AT&T.