Apple had released the iOS SDK 4.3 beta version for developers in mid January. The company has now officially announced the upcoming launch of Apple iOS 4.3, the latest version of their mobile OS. The improved version of the OS will include features such as better Safari mobile browsing capability with the Nitro JavaScript engine, updated AirPlay, personal hotspot support and iTunes Home Sharing.
Apple’s update will also provide a side switch option on the iPad to either mute the audio or lock the screen rotation. With iOS 4.3, the Nitro JavaScript engine is now built into WebKit enabling Safari to offer enhanced mobile browsing speeds. It now features an improved Airplay; which allows users to additionally stream web sites, videos from the Photos app or third party apps and previews featured on the iTunes app directly to their Apple TVs.
“With more than 160 million iOS devices worldwide, including over 100 million iPhones, the growth of the iOS platform has been unprecedented,” shared Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iOS 4.3 adds even more features to the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, across three blockbuster devices – iPad, iPhone and iPod touch – providing an ecosystem that offers customers an incredibly rich experience and developers unlimited opportunities.”
The latest version of the mobile OS incorporates an all new personal hotspot attribute. This feature enables users to share their iPhone 4 data connection with up to five devices via Wi-Fi. The iTunes Home Sharing feature permits seamless viewing of multimedia content on an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch device from the iTunes library on a Mac or PC through a local Wi-Fi network. The update is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 GSM model, iPad, iPad 2 as well as the third- and fourth-generation iPod touch.
iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users can download the iOS 4.3 as a free software update from March 11.