Apple has just released the iOS 4.3 beta 3 for developers and we’re anxious to see what surprises are in this latest version.
As you may recall, the last iOS 4.3 beta had multitouch gestures which could pave the way for a completely button-less iPad or iPhone in the future. Apple maintains that it is just trying to get developer feedback on this issue and that it won’t be in the version that ships to consumers but it’s still interesting to envision what this could mean.
As we’ve seen in videos, the iOS 4.3 beta allows users to make multiple fingers (four or five) to do things like hop back to the home screen or switch between apps. This seems like an odd interaction method for the real-estate challenged iPhones but I could easily see this working on future versions of the iPad tablet.
As with previous versions of the iOS 4.3 beta, this will include the ability for third-party app makers to use AirPlay with the Apple TV. I’ve spoken with a few app developers who said AirPlay is very simple to integrate, so let’s hope we get a slew of awesome apps which take advantage of it.
There’s also word that the iOS 4.3 beta contains the mobile hotspot feature that is an exclusive to the Verizon iPhone, for now. This enables the iPhone to share its data connection as a WiFi hotspot with other devices but it’s too soon to tell if AT&T users will get it. Remember, the platform could support the mobile hotspot feature but AT&T will still have to approve it.
Will we also get the much-talked about subscription features with this version of the software? News Corp. is holding an event tomorrow to reveal its iPad-specific newspaper, “The Daily,” so I wouldn’t be too surprised to see that be officially announced then.
[Via PCWorld]