Yesterday, Apple released iOS 4.3 beta firmware to developers. We have been hearing about features that made into the next major firmware update. Here they are in a nutshell.
iOS 4.3 beta and iOS 4.3 SDK beta are now available to iOS Developer Program members. Start adding the new capabilities of this beta release to your apps including the ability to stream video to Apple TV using AirPlay, iAd full screen banners, and HTTP Live Streaming statistics.
iOS 4.3 New Features
- GSM iPhones get Personal Mobile hotspot feature introduced in the Verizon iPhone.
- iOS 4.3 brings new multi-touch gestures to the iPad. You can swipe up to multitask, pinch out to go to home screen, swipe left or right to switch apps.
- FaceTime has a new icon for iPod Touch
- iAds can display ads in full screen
- AirPlay for 3rd party apps
- Physical lock switch for iPad comes back as an option
- Potential fun photo/video effects (like Photo Booth) to iPhone/iPod Touch camera app
- New Messages alert settings – you can now set alert intervals
- New font ‘Noteworthy’ in Notes app
- MobileMe might receive a ‘Find my Friends’ feature. Think Google Latitude.
- iOS 4.3 beta 1 for iPad hints at photo & video capabilities. (link)
- App Store updates to get a new look
- References of new iPhones and iPads spotted in firmware.
That’s a handful of new features to stay excited about our beloved iDevices. Plus, this is the first beta of iOS 4.3 so we can expect to see a few more surprises before the final firmware rolls out to everyone.
Remember, iOS 4.3 beta is for developer testing only. However, if you somehow find your updated to the beta and want to go back to iOS 4.2.x, you may want to check the following guide at Redmondpie.com.
How to Downgrade iOS 4.3 to 4.2.1, 4.1 on iPhone 4, 3GS, iPad, iPod touch
The new pinch out to home screen gesture has started the speculation that Apple might do away with the Home button in future iDevices. I doubt that.
