Apple details iOS 4.3: AirTime improvements, FaceTime for iPad 2, turn your 'mute' switch back into an 'orientation' switch
Out on March 11th
Having unveiled the specs and price of the iPad 2 at the Apple event currently taking place in San Francisco, Steve Jobs to a break to let Scott Forstall talk about the other big announcement of the day: iOS 4.3.
The update features iTunes home sharing, which lets you get at your iTunes content over wi-fi. There are also AirPlay improvements – when you tap the icon your device automatically finds your Apple TV. Now you'll be able to use the slideshow options, and apps from iTunes will be able to play video or audio.
You know the 'mute' button on your iPad? The one that used to be an 'orientation' button? Well Apple has clearly heard the many complaints about this change – which was imposed in iOS 4 – so iOS 4.3 gives you the option of deciding what the button does.
Of course, the iPad 2 has cameras, and so iOS 4.3 features software to deal with them. First, Photo Booth. It lets you view nine video streams at once, and apply real-time visual effects, which you can manipulate by touching.
And of course there's FaceTime, which already exists – and works well – on iPhone 4. You can FaceTime between iPhone and iPad or iPad and iPad.
IOS 4.3 will be available on March 11th – the day the iPad 2 ships.
