Apple issues iOS 4.3 beta with Personal Hotspot, new multitouch gestures

AppleInsider · January 12, 2011 3:43PM

Apple on Wednesday released the first beta of iOS 4.3 for the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, bringing support for Personal Hotspot, new multi-touch gestures, the ability for third-party applications to use AirPlay, and a software option for changing the functionality of the iPad hardware switch.

The initial beta is available to developers in the iOS Dev Center. iOS 4.3 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is dubbed build 8F5148b.

According to Macstories.net, iOS 4.3 brings new multi-touch gestures built specifically for the iPad, including 4- and 5-finger gestures. The new beta reportedly allows users to pinch to access the home screen, to swipe up to reveal the multitasking tray, and swipe left and right to switch between open applications.

In addition, another iOS 4.3 beta for the Apple TV was also released. It allows developers to test AirPlay functionality with iOS applications on the new Apple TV.

Update: In addition, the new update also reportedly adds the ability to change the functionality of the iPad hardware switch. When the iPad launched, the switch originally acted as an orientation lock, but with the release of iOS 4.2, the button changed to mute the device.

The download page makes no mention of the iPhone 3G or second-generation iPod touch. Supported devices are the iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, third-generation iPod touch, and fourth-generation iPod touch.

The new beta confirms rumors that Apple would add its new Personal Hotspot feature to existing GSM iPhones with iOS 4.3. The functionality allows users to share their 3G data connection with up to five devices over Wi-Fi. Those reports claimed that Apple plans to publicly release iOS 4.3 in March.

The new Wi-Fi tethering ability was first revealed on the new CDMA iPhone for Verizon when the product was announced on Tuesday. That forthcoming phone was demonstrated running a different version of iOS, 4.2.5. The latest public version of iOS for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is 4.2.1.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

feynman · January 12, 2011 3:49PM

iOS Just keeps getting better and better. Wonder what Apple has up their sleeve with version 5.0!

ghostface147 · January 12, 2011 3:51PM

Makes me wonder if these gestures could also be incorporated for a new notification system???

boeyc15 · January 12, 2011 3:53PM

Sounds good! Looking forward to more Airplay functionality.

dick applebaum · January 12, 2011 3:55PM

Oh, Yeah!

Dloading now...

solipsism · January 12, 2011 3:58PM

No update for 2nd generation iPhone and iPod Touch. That’s different.

gunslinger · January 12, 2011 3:59PM

I hope it is more impressive than the last update. Not that it was aweful but it did not seem like it added much for the iPhone.

On the plus, this new Wi-Fi hotspot will be very nice.

lowededwookie · January 12, 2011 4:01PM

This is so cool. Now I'll be able to setup a completely mobile command center with internet access for my Mac Book Pro going through my iPad or iPhone.

WiFi seems to use less power than Bluetooth, is faster, and less hassle to setup than Bluetooth as well.

Can't wait for this to be released to the general population.

formerarsgm · January 12, 2011 4:02PM

The new Hotspot tethering will work great if released on AT&Ts network. On Verizon, anyone sharing a Hotspot will find themselves disconnected if/when an actual phone call comes in for the iPhone owner. Can you hear me now?

fahadaminkhan · January 12, 2011 4:10PM

Wish Apple could tweak Bluetooth so that it can send n receive Photos from non-ios devices and make it possible to Edit the Recent call list.

tokolosh · January 12, 2011 4:12PM

The hotspot feature is all well and good but the Airplay update is just plain exciting. This is another step in allowing consumers more a la carte options in media consumption.

solipsism · January 12, 2011 4:16PM

Update: In addition, the new update also reportedly adds the ability to change the functionality of the iPad hardware switch. When the iPad launched, the switch originally acted as an orientation lock, but with the release of iOS 4.2, the button changed to mute the device.

SWEET! By far my biggest complaint.

tumme-totte · January 12, 2011 4:17PM

All The others at least got a few days on stage. Before Apple took all attention back. Verizon and now this.

Must be tough to be RIM, Samsung or any other from ... You know!!! That trade show. Almost forgot! CES something...

fleetst · January 12, 2011 4:18PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

In addition, another iOS 4.3 beta for the Apple TV was also released. It allows developers to test AirPlay functionality with iOS applications on the new Apple TV.

Looks like Apple TV will soon be opening up to third-party apps. Great news!

hdasmith · January 12, 2011 4:20PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tokolosh

The hotspot feature is all well and good but the Airplay update is just plain exciting. This is another step in allowing consumers more a la carte options in media consumption.

Airplay for 3rd party is how I see game and apps for apple tv working. They wont be hosted by the apple tv, but by your iPhone or iPad. The potential here is huge, especially if they can use a different screen configuration when purporting through apple tv.

greeng4 · January 12, 2011 4:21PM

I have a developers account...can any developers tell me if it's working and enabled for proper testing using AT&T's network?

applestud · January 12, 2011 4:25PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleetst

Looks like Apple TV will soon be opening up to third-party apps. Great news!

where do you get that idea? Apple is simply letting developers stream their in-app video to the AppleTV via airplay, if the developer wants to allow such a feature within their app.

ranreloaded · January 12, 2011 4:27PM

So, if I have (say) an iPhone 3GS and an iPod Touch 4G with me, this means I can share my 3G connectivity to the iPod through WiFi and use FaceTime while outside? (effectively bypassing the restriction)

dick applebaum · January 12, 2011 4:32PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdasmith

Airplay for 3rd party is how I see game and apps for apple tv working. They wont be hosted by the apple tv, but by your iPhone or iPad. The potential here is huge, especially if they can use a different screen configuration when purporting through apple tv.

Games via AirPlay requires pushing a lot of pixels & FPS over WiFi...

I think a better approach would be to download the games (via iTunes or ATV), store the games in your local iTunes library, then crossload a game to be played to the ATV.

Any iDevice remote would run a companion remote controller app that sends commands/gestures (only) to the ATV -- instead of the entire game animation.

The companion app on, say, an iPhone, could display controls (if you need/want to look at the remote) or just recognize gestures independent of where they occur (if you don't need/want to look at the remote).

christophb · January 12, 2011 4:33PM

Hoping mlb.tv app will support Airplay when the season begins. I plan to torture AT&T by streaming every MLB game from my iPhone or iPad over 3G until they relent and allow me to enable tethering on my iPhone without first removing the original unlimited data plan.

solipsism · January 12, 2011 4:36PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleStud

where do you get that idea? Apple is simply letting developers stream their in-app video to the AppleTV via airplay, if the developer wants to allow such a feature within their app.

That is, IMO, a necessary next step if Apple wants to add an SDK and App Store for the AppleTV. Meaning, The best way to use apps on the AppleTV will be with an iOS/iDevice. That means that APIs for pushing data between them with ease needs to be well designed so that AppleTV apps can work with iPhone/Touch and iPad apps with ease for the developer and consumer.

Apple issues iOS 4.3 beta with Personal Hotspot, new multitouch gestures

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