iPad 2 Live: iPad 2 To Release With iOS 4.3

Tweet

Steve Jobs and company have unveiled the iPad 2 at their launch event in San Francisco today. One of the big announcements? They’ll be shipping the iPad 2 with the new version of iOS 4.3. What are some of the features of that new operating system? Scott Forstall is the head honcho of Software Engineering at Apple, and he got on stage and chatted about some of the new features in the upcoming iOS version.

First, they’re switching to the Nitro JavaScript engine in iOS 4.3 for Safari. That should increase the mobile web browsing via Safari on iOS. The speed of Safari is a common complaint for some, so that should help.

They’ve improved the AirPlay connectivity in iOS 4.3, so it’ll be easier to stream your stuff to and from your iOS devices. Forstall said you just tap on the button and it automatically will seek out your Apple TV – so it’s a very turn key type operation. In the same vein, they’ve also introduced the new iTunes home sharing feature, which will let you stream your content right from WiFi to your iOS device.

And finally, one of the big things for the iPad – they’ll let you decide what to do with the switch on the side! Remember that it was originally a Rotation Lock button, but Apple switched it to a Mute Button in an iOS update. Folks balked about it, and Apple usually doesn’t give their folks choice in matters like that. But, in the iOS 4.3, they’ll be letting you decide if you want to set it for mute or rotation.

They’re bringing Photo Booth, made popular in Mac OS X, to iOS for the devices with a front-facing camera. Looks to be similar to the version on the Macs, lots of filters and such. The iPad 2 will also have FaceTime support, for making calls to Macs, iPhones and other iPad 2 tablets. Also, the iPhone 4 will getting a mobile hotspot feature - apparently for all iPhone 4s.

iOS 4.3 will be out on March 11th. It looks like the iPad 2 will be shipping with it. The other devices (iPad 1, iPhone, last two generations of iPad Touch) will be getting the update on the same day. Don’t have those devices, I guess that’s fragmentation?

Our man Chris is writing a post about the new iLife suite being added to iOS. Stay tuned to TFTS for some great new apps that Apple is adding to the iPad.