iOS 4.3

After a few rumored false starts yesterday, the iOS 4.3 update is now available to download on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch via iTunes. We got an idea of what to expect in the update during last week's iPad 2 event, but in case you missed it, here's the rundown on what it's packing:

• Safari performance — The new Nitro JavaScript engine inside Safari will make it twice as fast and responsive as it was in 4.2.
• iTunes home sharing — Play your iTunes library from anywhere in your home with a shared WiFi connection. Play a movie from your PC on your iPad (or vice versa), or stream songs from your iPhone to your Mac computer.
• AirPlay — This update provides improvements including audio and video streaming from apps, allowing you to shoot video with your iPhone and instantly share on your HDTV.
• iPad side switch — Make the choice between a mute or screen rotation lock on the iPad side switch!
• Personal hotspot — This will allow you to share your WiFi and 3G connection with up to five other devices from your iPhone 4, each being password-protected and secure.

The new iPad 2 will be stocked with the latest version of iOS, iOS 4.3, which will come with some great new features and updates. Of course, with the addition of the forward-facing camera, you'll get to use some of the fun photo apps already coming in Macs, like PhotoBooth and FaceTime. Check out all the iOS 4.3 features and enhancements below.

• Increased Safari performance
• iTunes home sharing
• AirPlay improvements, including audio and video streaming from apps
• Preference for iPad switch (mute or rotation lock)
• PhotoBooth for iPad
• FaceTime

iOS 4.3 will come as a free download on March 11 and support all iPads, iPhone 4 and 3GS, as well as third- and fourth-gen iPod Touch.

We're not surprised, but it seems that the next iPad will come with a camera, complete with both FaceTime and PhotoBooth apps, thanks to a find in iOS 4.3 beta. While I'm not surprised, since the second-generation cases found earlier this month come with a camera lens opening, it's always nice to get confirmation from Apple itself.

In other news, some are speculating that the iPad 2 will be announced in a few weeks; Feb. 9 to be exact. Find out the reasoning behind the speculation after the break.

We were pretty stoked to get a bunch of new features in the iOS 4.2 update a few months ago, but now it seems we have even more to look forward to with iOS 4.3. The developers' build was released to the building masses recently, and said developers have uncovered some interesting and exciting additions. Check out what they've found below!

Personal Hotspot
A big advantage to Verizon iPhone customers: the personal hotspot. While AT&T has said it is "still evaluating" the feature, developers have found a personal hotspot switch in the new iOS 4.3 build. Will it be coming to all iPhones with the update? Even more importantly: how much will it cost?

Find My Friends
Apple may be adding a Google Latitude-like feature to MobileMe, something called "Find My Friends."

Check out the rest of the finds after the break.