The iOS 4.3 beta is available for developers to download, and features: Personal WiFi hotspot Create a hotspot for up to five devices. Both AT&T and Verizon will support this feature at $20 for 2GB per month. Rotation lock switch for iPad The function of the rotation lock/mute switch can now be configured in settings. Airplay support for third-party apps Developers can enable Airplay support for their apps. Play any of your apps wirelessly on your TV, as long as you have a Apple TV. Multitouch gestures for the iPad The iPad now gets new multitouch gestures, which can be seen in the image above. Unfortunently, these will not be making it to the final, public build of iOS 4.3, according to Macrumors. You can also watch a video of them in action here. New Facetime Icon
I'm betting that out of the millions of iPad owners, about 2 of them will use the switch for mute, and the other millions will use it for rotation lock, like it came... Thank God for this fix....
The wifi could be good if my network allows it and doesn't charge an arm and a leg for it. I doubt they will offer it as they do not offer tethering (Tesco UK).
THE BS here is at&t makes you change off your unlimited data to get the tether you have to get a limited data plan... F THAT NOISE! I'm praying verizon STOMPS at&t into dropping their prices or offering tethering with the unlimited data... I don't mind paying an extra $20 to tether but no way in hell will I give up unlimited data to do so.... F YOU AT&T F YOU!
I'm surprised lots of the reactions in this thread have been for the gestures and switch, and not for the personal network feature. I suppose it depends on whether it'll work on various carriers or not.
Given how AT&T is currently handling tethering, I don't see them freely allowing the personal hotspots just because an iOS update came around.
The gestures sound interesting, but they could interfere with certain apps that use 4 or 5 finger multitouch. (eg. painting apps, particle toys, etc.)
But are rare enough to not matter. And I suppose if you use those apps regularly you can turn it off?
I'm definitely getting an iPad 2 when it comes out. Can't wait to finally have an iPad, and especially one with all the expected improvements, including this new OS, though I'm sure that's coming to 1st gen too. The gestures sound great, as does the option to use the switch for orientation lock. Double-clicking the home button to get the multitasking bar is pretty obnoxious. Sometimes I end up going back to the home screen instead. So it will be great to have these gestures. I wish there were some way to bring something like that to the iPhone too, but obviously not 4 fingers.
I don't like the idea of losing the Home button on either the iPad or iPhone. I hope the new gestures become an alternative to the Home button, not a replacement. It would be particularly terrible on the iPhone where you would lose the ability to use the phone one-handed, but a button click is easier than a 5 finger gesture for many people, so needs to be on the iPad, particularly for newcomers. It would also be a problem for Yakuza who have chopped off a finger as an honour gesture. And my old neighbour who lost several fingers in an accident. And my old woodwork teacher who lost fingers in several accidents. And...
I agree. I really hope they don't get rid of the home button in future gen iPods, iPhones and iPads. That would really suck for me.
