First look: New SMS alert settings, multitouch iPad gestures in Apple's iOS 4.3
Apple's first beta of iOS 4.3 for the iPhone and iPad packs a number of new features for the mobile operating system, including more options for iPhone text message alerts and new multitouch gestures for the iPad.
Apple released the first beta of iOS 4.3 for the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV on Wednesday. The initial build is known as 8F5148b, and is only available to developers for testing purposes.
AppleInsider offers readers a first look at some of the new features found in the iOS 4.3 beta, including Personal Hotspot, new multitouch gestures, custom text message alert settings, and even a new look for App Store updates.
Custom text message alert intervals
A new addition to the iPhone with the first iOS 4.3 beta is the ability to choose how many times an alert tone for an SMS message is played. By choosing "Messages" in the native Settings application, users can now see the "Play Alert Tone" option.
From here, users have the ability to choose to play an alert tone once, twice, three times, five times, or ten times. The alerts repeat at two minute intervals.
Currently, on iOS 4.2, users only have the option to turn on "Repeat Alert." If a message is ignored, users are given two more alerts before they stop.
New look for App Store updates
Updating software on the iPhone has a new look through the App Store application in the first iOS 4.3 beta. Currently, updates are shown through a gray background in the "Updates" tab of the App Store.
In the first beta, applications are instead shown against a white background, and a rectangular border with rounded corners circles the application name and icon. Blank background space has also been changed to black from gray.
New multi-touch iPad gestures
As revealed on Wednesday, Apple has added new multi-touch gestures to the iPad which aim to make it easier to multitask. Users can now quickly invoke the app drawer, where multitasking items and recently opened applications reside.
As seen in the video included below, users can also quickly switch between open tasks and return to the home screen with new four- or five-finger swiping gestures. Swiping left or right flips between applications, and pushing up returns to the home screen.
iPad hardware switch
The physical switch on the side of the iPad was originally used as an orientation lock, but beginning with iOS 4.2, it instead served as a mute switch. The change prompted numerous complaints from iPad users, who preferred the ability to quickly lock the iPad orientation.
Apple has responded to those complaints, at least in the first beta of iOS 4.3, and added a new option in the Settings application to choose between mute and orientation lock for the physical switch.
Personal Hotspot
As revealed on Wednesday, the first iOS 4.3 beta includes the new Personal Hotspot feature first unveiled this week with the new Verizon iPhone. The new feature allows the iPhone to share a 3G data connection with up to five separate devices over Wi-Fi.
Various reports have said the update will only be available in iOS 4.3 for iPhone users who have a carrier that opts to allow the functionality. As with previous iOS tethering methods over Bluetooth and USB, it's likely that carriers will charge for that ability.
Personal Hotspot is enabled through the native Settings application on the iPhone. Selecting the option allows users to turn on the feature, noting that "additional usage charges may apply." Users can set a custom password for their local Wi-Fi network.
AirPlay for third-party apps
The first beta of iOS 4.3 will also allow developers to add AirPlay functionality to their third-party App Store software. This will give developers the ability to wirelessly send images and data to the new Apple TV set top box, also running iOS 4.3.
Of course, this feature cannot be demonstrated until developers create or modify their existing applications to add AirPlay support.
"Stream video from your app to a widescreen TV using new Media Player APIs that support AirPlay video," Apple's official documentation reads. "You can also update your Web content to support AirPlay."
Lack of support for older hardware
Apple has not provided developers with builds of iOS 4.3 for older hardware, including the iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod touch. Those same devices were already missing features, such as multitasking and custom wallpapers, when iOS 4 launched in June of last year.
While it's possible that the iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod touch could eventually receive iOS 4.3, for now the first beta only supports the iPad, iPHone 4, iPhone 3GS, third-generation iPod touch and fourth-generation iPod touch. Apple has not given any indication as to whether the older devices will eventually receive support, or if iOS 4.2 is the last update available for them.
iOS 4.2 was found to greatly improve the performance of the mobile operating system on the iPhone 3G. Some users of the hardware first released in 2008 have complained about performance on the device, with one lawsuit against Apple alleging that iOS 4 turned their iPhone 3G into an "iBrick."
Apple released the first beta of iOS 4.3 for the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV on Wednesday. The initial build is known as 8F5148b, and is only available to developers for testing purposes.
AppleInsider offers readers a first look at some of the new features found in the iOS 4.3 beta, including Personal Hotspot, new multitouch gestures, custom text message alert settings, and even a new look for App Store updates.
Custom text message alert intervals
A new addition to the iPhone with the first iOS 4.3 beta is the ability to choose how many times an alert tone for an SMS message is played. By choosing "Messages" in the native Settings application, users can now see the "Play Alert Tone" option.
From here, users have the ability to choose to play an alert tone once, twice, three times, five times, or ten times. The alerts repeat at two minute intervals.
Currently, on iOS 4.2, users only have the option to turn on "Repeat Alert." If a message is ignored, users are given two more alerts before they stop.
New look for App Store updates
Updating software on the iPhone has a new look through the App Store application in the first iOS 4.3 beta. Currently, updates are shown through a gray background in the "Updates" tab of the App Store.
In the first beta, applications are instead shown against a white background, and a rectangular border with rounded corners circles the application name and icon. Blank background space has also been changed to black from gray.
New multi-touch iPad gestures
As revealed on Wednesday, Apple has added new multi-touch gestures to the iPad which aim to make it easier to multitask. Users can now quickly invoke the app drawer, where multitasking items and recently opened applications reside.
As seen in the video included below, users can also quickly switch between open tasks and return to the home screen with new four- or five-finger swiping gestures. Swiping left or right flips between applications, and pushing up returns to the home screen.
iPad hardware switch
The physical switch on the side of the iPad was originally used as an orientation lock, but beginning with iOS 4.2, it instead served as a mute switch. The change prompted numerous complaints from iPad users, who preferred the ability to quickly lock the iPad orientation.
Apple has responded to those complaints, at least in the first beta of iOS 4.3, and added a new option in the Settings application to choose between mute and orientation lock for the physical switch.
Personal Hotspot
As revealed on Wednesday, the first iOS 4.3 beta includes the new Personal Hotspot feature first unveiled this week with the new Verizon iPhone. The new feature allows the iPhone to share a 3G data connection with up to five separate devices over Wi-Fi.
Various reports have said the update will only be available in iOS 4.3 for iPhone users who have a carrier that opts to allow the functionality. As with previous iOS tethering methods over Bluetooth and USB, it's likely that carriers will charge for that ability.
Personal Hotspot is enabled through the native Settings application on the iPhone. Selecting the option allows users to turn on the feature, noting that "additional usage charges may apply." Users can set a custom password for their local Wi-Fi network.
AirPlay for third-party apps
The first beta of iOS 4.3 will also allow developers to add AirPlay functionality to their third-party App Store software. This will give developers the ability to wirelessly send images and data to the new Apple TV set top box, also running iOS 4.3.
Of course, this feature cannot be demonstrated until developers create or modify their existing applications to add AirPlay support.
"Stream video from your app to a widescreen TV using new Media Player APIs that support AirPlay video," Apple's official documentation reads. "You can also update your Web content to support AirPlay."
Lack of support for older hardware
Apple has not provided developers with builds of iOS 4.3 for older hardware, including the iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod touch. Those same devices were already missing features, such as multitasking and custom wallpapers, when iOS 4 launched in June of last year.
While it's possible that the iPhone 3G and second-generation iPod touch could eventually receive iOS 4.3, for now the first beta only supports the iPad, iPHone 4, iPhone 3GS, third-generation iPod touch and fourth-generation iPod touch. Apple has not given any indication as to whether the older devices will eventually receive support, or if iOS 4.2 is the last update available for them.
iOS 4.2 was found to greatly improve the performance of the mobile operating system on the iPhone 3G. Some users of the hardware first released in 2008 have complained about performance on the device, with one lawsuit against Apple alleging that iOS 4 turned their iPhone 3G into an "iBrick."
Comments
Apple has responded to those complaints, at least in the first beta of iOS 4.3, and added a new option in the Settings application to choose between mute and orientation lock for the physical switch.
Hallelujah!
http://shawnblanc.net/2010/12/iphone-group-messaging/
I think I only have one question left about Group Messaging. If I send a text to one person, does it get sent as a SMS or MMS?
Why isn't there an option for 'Always' in the SMS repeat? Battery drain?
I have 4.3 on my iPhone4, there's no way to update individual apps now with the changes, it has the 'Update All' button but that's it.
Could be that iOS 4.3 is still in beta? I dunno, just a thought.
Apple's first beta of iOS 4.3 for the iPhone and iPad packs a number of new features for the mobile operating system, including more options for iPhone text message alerts and new multitouch gestures for the iPad. ...
I can't for the life of me understand why Apple refuses to either give us some decent alert sounds or allow us to make our own.
One of the main uses for an iPhone is to use it as an alarm clock but the only sounds we are allowed are novelty crap like dogs barking, or something that sounds like a Klaxon on a submarine. I would have bet money that Apple would have fixed this with the second or third update, but here we are on the 4th generation phone and almost at iOS 5.0 and we still don't have any decent alarms.
It boggles the mind sometimes trying to follow the reasoning of Apple's software designers, and they just aren't good enough to make the effort worthwhile or entertaining.
I am sure it will be one of the highlights of iPhone 4s or iPhone 5 or whatever they call the next revision.
iPad hardware switch
The physical switch on the side of the iPad was originally used as an orientation lock, but beginning with iOS 4.2, it instead served as a mute switch. The change prompted numerous complaints from iPad users, who preferred the ability to quickly lock the iPad orientation.
Apple has responded to those complaints, at least in the first beta of iOS 4.3, and added a new option in the Settings application to choose between mute and orientation lock for the physical switch.
Is this only for the iPad? Or will it be implemented for the iPhone as well?
I personally prefer the software switch for orientation lock on the iPad (although, making it configurable is even better, for those who like it in its previous function) but would love to be able to switch the iPhone orientation lock on an off via the mute switch. That may sound odd, but it's just a function of the way I use each device, I guess.
I can't for the life of me understand why Apple refuses to either give us some decent alert sounds or allow us to make our own.
One of the main uses for an iPhone is to use it as an alarm clock but the only sounds we are allowed are novelty crap like dogs barking, or something that sounds like a Klaxon on a submarine.
Idk if it's the same on the iPhone (I assume it is), but on my iPod Touch I can change the alarm to any of my own custom ringtones. I load them through iTunes and they can be created very easily. This is not for notifications, but for alarms at least it works.
Apple's official documentation reads. "You can also update your Web content to support AirPlay."
It works with this tag <embed src="movie.mov" width=320 height=240 airplay="allow">
It would be wonderful if the iDevice could completely control the web page and not just the movie.
Idk if it's the same on the iPhone (I assume it is), but on my iPod Touch I can change the alarm to any of my own custom ringtones. I load them through iTunes and they can be created very easily. This is not for notifications, but for alarms at least it works.
Thanks for this info; didn't know.
But how silly is it that I have to now go home and hold a microphone to my old cell phone (which uses all the standard alarm sounds), record it, create an iTunes track, turn that track into a ringtone, sync the ringtone to my computer, sync the phone to the computer, and then finally be able to set the alarm to the newly created ringtone? I mean all I'm talking about here is a tone that goes "beep" or "beep-beep" or maybe "beep-beep-beep-beep." You know, like what most people have used to wake up to since the 1970's.
It's pretty likely that I won't ever do this anyway because it's too much hassle. I will just keep using my old cell phone (that I stopped using when the iPhone came out in 2007), as an alarm clock. Even though it's a crappy Virgin flip-phone from 5 or 6 years ago, it still works, and it's a better alarm clock than the fancy new iPhone.
That's good news. I'd rather my iPhone only alerted me once.
?
it already does. unless you have enabled the repeat function. the new function is just providing more granular control.
Personal Hotspot
oh yay. one more way for at&t to dictate to me what i can use my 2GB a month on. the data for which i pay them to use.
what if car rental companies said, "yeah, you've paid for 1000 miles, but you can't use them to drive to that store over there. if you want to drive to that store over there then we're going to charge you an additional ninety pounds."
How about a timer telling us how much time we've spent with a particular caller
There is a timer. go to recents, then the blue arrow next to the name of the caller and wall-a.