iOS 4.3

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.edibleapple.com/apple-releases-ios-43-with-personal-hotspot-itunes-home-sharing-enhanced-airplay-and-faster-safari-performance/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+EdibleApple+(Edible+Apple)' target='_blank'>http://www.edibleapple.com/apple-re...+(Edible+Apple)</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"In addition to the iPad 2, Apple on Wednesday took some time to take the wraps off the long awaited iOS 4.3 update."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1299146054.usr105634.jpg" style="margin-left: 110px; margin-right: 110px;" /></p><p>Big news for me was the personal hotspot option that <a href="http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/03/02/att.says.its.iphone.personal.hotspot.due.march.11/" target="_blank">AT&amp;T says they will allow</a>&nbsp;on devices on their network. This may convince me to give up my unlimited plan for the convenience, and can then I can get rid of my Verizon MiFi. But that's not all there is to 4.3, as they are also updating mobile Safari with performance enhancements from the Nitro JavaScript engine that OS X uses. And with updates to AirPlay, you can now stream video from the device to your HDTV. In addition, they have added iTunes Home Sharing that allows you to stream media from your iTunes library straight to your mobile device. Lots of functionality added to this update, so which feature or features do you think you will get the most use from?</p>

[Dyvim]

I was already aware of Personal Hotspot, so for me the biggest news was iTunes Home Sharing. I've wanted this for a long time (I know there are 3rd party solutions but they're never as simple/elegant).

I too am considering giving up my unlimited data plan for the option of occasionally springing for the tethering option (I assume you can turn it on/off on a month-by-month basis via the AT&T website or app). It wasn't really worth it when (a) it only worked for laptops, and (b) you didn't get any extra data for your $20 (now you get a separate 2 GB to use for tethering). Between my laptop and iPad, this could make it worthwhile for any billing cycle that I need to travel. I've never gone much north of 600 MB of data in any given month in the 3.5 years I've had an iPhone, so I don't really need the unlimited plan, but I always wonder if some new technology or use will arrive that will make me need more than 2 GB/month.

[Joe Johaneman]

I get my orientation lock switch back. Hurray! (Honestly, I cheered. That's all I wanted, lol).