Apple has released the latest version of the iOS operating system a bit in advance of its announced March 11th release date, allowing users to update their third and fourth-generation iPhones and iPods, as well as first-generation iPads, right away.
Available for download over iTunes, the iOS 4.3 update brings functional, interface, browser, and performance improvements with it. Major changes are listed below. If you are a iOS device user, let us know what you think of the new operating system in the comments section below – does it slow down your third0generation device or eat away its battery life, or, is it too cool for words?
Major new features and improvements:
- Personal Hotspot* – Share iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to 5 devices (combination of up to 3 Wi-Fi, 3 Bluetooth, and 1 USB)
- iTunes Home Sharing – Play music, movies and TV shows from a shared iTunes library on a Mac or PC (requires iTunes 10.2)
- New AirPlay features** – a) Play videos from the Photos app including the Camera Roll album, iTunes previews, enabled third-party apps and websites on Apple TV. b) Play slideshows from Photos on Apple TV using transitions available on Apple TV
- Faster Safari performance – Apple Nitro JavaScript engine
- [RELATED_ARTICLE]HD video out – Wsing the Apple Digital AV Adapter***, view 720p HD videos from Videos app, iPod app, Photos, YouTube, Safari, Keynote, and enabled third-party apps on an HDMI display
- Ping features – Push notifications for comments and follow requests; Post and Like songs directly from the Now Playing screen; Parental controls
- New Settings – Messages setting for number of times to repeat an alert; iPad side switch setting to lock screen rotation or mute audio notifications and sound effects; Single tap conference call dialing with a pause to send a passcode
- Bug fixes
*Requires iPhone 4 with tethering data plan
**Requires Apple TV (2nd generation) running software version 4.2 or later
***iPhone 4, iPad, iPod touch (4th generation)