14 DAY TRIAL // Although it seems hard to believe Apple prefers to launch iOS 4.3 ahead of the promised March 11 delivery date, one generally-reliable source of Apple rumors claims to have learned that iOS 4.3 is to be released today.
According to BGR’s sources, Apple’s latest iOS software update is on track to emerge today, at 10:00AM PT.
The flagship feature inside iOS 4.3, at least for GSM versions of the iPhone, is the Personal Hotspot function which, in theory, allows for up to 5 wireless devices to connect to the internet via the handset’s cellular connection.
It is said that, by default, this function will enable three connections. Depending on the carrier, it may allow five, as advertised by Apple.
As reported by Softpedia last week, iOS 4.3 poses specific features for the various devices Apple is throwing it at.
The new firmware is supported by the first generation iPad, the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS, as well as the 3rd and 4th generation iPod touch devices.
For the iPad, iOS 4.3 brings a new option to enhance the functionality of its hardware switch.
Some users want it to mute the sound, others to lock the screen orientation in either portrait or landscape mode. Apple said “we hear ya” and now offers both options.
A handful of enhancements are common to all supported devices and their respective models.
For example, the brand new Safari, which now features the Nitro JavaScript engine allowing the browser to render web pages much faster, and more efficiently than ever before.
iTunes Home sharing, another new addition, will allow iOS device owners to play music, movies and TV shows their iOS-enabled portables from their iTunes library on a Mac or PC over a local WiFi connection.
Finally, AirPlay is also kicked up a notch. It is now capable to stream additional content including video from third party apps and websites, videos from the Photos app and previews from the iTunes app to the user’s TV set.