iOS 4.3 said final, may go live next week
updated 10:50 am EST, Thu February 24, 2011
iOS 4.3 said finished
An Apple tipster claimed on Thursday that iOS 4.3 had reached the gold master stage. The final build is believed to be 8F190. BGR didn't glean release timing but speculated that it could show next week, just in time for Apple's iPad 2 event.
The most conspicuous known addition to iOS 4.3 will be personal hotspot support for GSM iPhone owners on carriers that allow it. It had previously been limited to CDMA iPhones on Verizon and, like its Android equivalent, shares the 3G connection with up to five devices over Wi-Fi. Sharing may carry a rate premium on some networks.
Other clues in the firmware have alluded to Ping push notifications, a Find My Friends feature similar to Google Latitude and even possible Apple TV gaming. Some of these may not surface with the gold build, if at all.
The 4.3 update is likely essential for the next iPad, since it contains code for cameras and imaging apps such as FaceTime and Photo Booth.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2004
YAY
iPad orientation lock button, welcome back!
oh, there's other stuff in that update, too? :P