Apple iOS 4.3 beta 1 Available to Developers Now

Apple released the Software Development Kit (SDK) for iOS 4.3 beta 1 to it's developer network.  iOS is the operating system based on Mac OS X, that runs the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Unfortunately at this time you need to be an Apple Developer in order to gain access to iOS 4.3 information.  If you are interested in being a developer, you really should have a programing background to understand some of the more technical aspects of the website, but by all means give it a try.

The following appear to be some new features in iOS 4.3:

• Mobile Hotspot - this will allow iPhone users to set up a mobile Wifi network to connect Wifi enabled devices to the cellular data stream on their iPhone.  This feature is reported to already be present in the Verizon iPhone.  Be aware that the cell provider (AT&T) will have to enable this feature and there is a reasonable chance the end user will have to pay an additional charge for this feature. This feature is certainly another effort to decrease the recent spike in Android phone sales as Android phones have had a mobile hotspot feature for some time now (since Android 2.2).
• Airplay Streaming for Video: allows 3rd party app developers to enable streaming of video from Apple TV. 
• New FaceTime Icon 
• Live Streaming Statistics
• iPad Specific:
• Orientation lock can be enable for the iPad switch.
• 4 and 5 Finger Multitouch Features: pinch to the home screen, swipe up to reveal multitasking tray, swipe left/right to switch apps.  See video below:

For end users the most important features are probable the the mobile Wifi hotspot and additional gestures on the iPad.

One big negative is that iOS 4.3 WILL NOT support the iPhone 3G.  Maybe its time to start running Android 2.3 on your iPhone 3G !

I am sure that soon enough, iOS 4.3 will be available to jailbroken iWhatever devices. Check back soon to with an update to let you know how to do so...