Apple iOS 4.2.1 (iOS 4.2) and iOS 4.3.3 are the most widely used iOS version and the latest version respectively. Though Apple introduced iOS 4.3 in March 2011 with its new iPad 2, many of the iPhone 4, iPad and iPod Touch users are still using iOS 4.2.1. iOS 4.3.3 is the latest revision of iOS 4.3. Apple is releasing iOS 4.3.3 mainly to fix the infamous location tracking issue with its iDevices. There were two other minor revisions to iOS 4.3 released in March 2011 and April 2011. The first revision iOS 4.3.1 included some improvements and bug fixes. The second revision, iOS 4.3.2 addressed the screen freezing issue some users had with FaceTime application and included the fix for an issue some iPad users had when connecting to international 3G networks. It also included latest security updates. So all the three revisions to iOS 4.3 are minor updates to fix bugs and included few improvements. Therefore, the differences in features between iOS 4.2.1 and iOS 4.3.3 are mainly the new features added to iOS 4.3 such as, iTunes home sharing, Airplay new features, Personal hotspot for iPhone 4, Parental control and support for HDMI out. It also include improvement to Safari browser performance.
iOS 4.3.3
Apple to overcome the location tracking issue has decided not back up the location database to iTunes and to completely delete the location database when a user turns off the location service. These are incorporated into the new software update. The new version release is iOS 4.3.3. The update include solution for location issue, battery life improvement and iPod bug fixes. All the other features remain the same as in iOS 4.3 and its revisions; iOS 4.3.1 and iOS 4.3.2.
| iOS 4.3.3
Release: May 2011 |
| New Improvements and Bug Fixes
1. No back up of the location database to iTunes. 2. The location database size reduced. 3. The location database will be deleted entirely when Location Services are turned off. 4. Battery life improvements. 5. iPod bug fixes. |
| Apple iOS 4.3.2
Release: 14 April 2011 |
| 1. Fixes an issue that occasionally caused blank or frozen video during a FaceTime call
2. Fixes an issue that prevented some international users from connecting to 3G networks on iPad Wi-Fi + 3G 3. Contains the latest security updates a. certificate trust policy – blacklisting the fraudulent certificates. This is to protect from an attacker with a privileged network position who may intercept user credentials or other sensitive information. b. libxslt – protection from possible disclosure of addresses on the heap when a user visits a maliciously crafted website. c.Fix for Quicklook issue – A memory corruption issue existed in QuickLook’s handling of Microsoft Office files when the user views a maliciously crafted Microsoft Office file. d. Fix for WebKit issue – Fix for unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution when visiting a maliciously crafted website.
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| Compatible Devices:
• iPhone 4 (GSM model), iPhone 3GS • iPad 2, iPad • iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (3rd generation) |
| Apple iOS 4.3.1
Release: 25 March 2011 |
| Improvements and Bug fixes
1. Fixes an occasional graphics glitch on iPod touch (4th generation) 2. Resolves bugs related to activating and connecting to some cellular networks 3. Fixes image flicker when using Apple Digital AV Adapter with some TVs 4. Resolves an issue authenticating with some enterprise web services |
| Compatible Devices:
• iPhone 4 (GSM model), iPhone 3GS • iPad 2, iPad • iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (3rd generation) |
Apple iOS 4.3
Apple iOS 4.3 is a major release. It has added some new features and incorporated existing features in iOS 4.2.1 with improvements to some features. Apple iOS 4.3 was released with Apple iPad 2 in March 2011. Apple iOS 4.3 has more features and functionality comparing to Apple iOS 4.2. iTunes Home sharing is a new feature added in Apple iOS 4.3. Improved video streaming and AirPlay support is also introduced in iOS 4.3. Airplay features include additional support for photo slide shows and support for video, audio editing from third party applications and share content in social network. And there is performance improvement in Safari with new nitro JavaScript engine.
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Apple iOS 4.3 Release: March 2011 |
| New Features
1. Improvements to Safari Performance with Nitro JavaSript Engine 2. iTunes home sharing – get all iTunes content from anywhere in the house to iPhone, iPad and iPod over shared Wi-Fi. You can play it direct without download or sync 3. AirPlay features improved – stream videos from photo apps direct to HDTV via Apple TV, Auto search Apple TV, Built in slideshow options for photo 4. Support Video, Audio editing Apps in Apps Store such as iMovie 5. Preference for iPad Switch to mute or rotation lock 6. Personal hotspot (iPhone 4 only feature) – you can connect up to 5 devices over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB; up to 3 of those connections over Wi-Fi. Auto switch off to save power when personal hotspot no longer in use. 7. Supports additional multifinger multitouch gestures and swipes. (This feature is not available for users, only for developers for testing)* 8. Parental Control – users can restrict access to some applications. 9. HDMI capability – you can connect to HDTV or any other HDMI device via Apple Digital AV adapter (need to purchase separately) and share 720p HD videos from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (4th generation only). 10. Push notifications for comments and follow requests and you can Post and Like songs directly from the Now Playing screen. 11. Improvement to message setting – you can set the number of times to repeat an alert. 12. Improvement to call feature – with single tap you can make conference call and pause to send a passcode. |
| Compatible Devices:
• iPhone 4 (GSM model), iPhone 3GS • iPad 2, iPad • iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (3rd generation) |
* Apple has included a new multitasking gestures for iPad in the latest SDK release for developers to test multi finger pinch and swipe. However this feature is not available for users. We can expect this to come in iOS 5 with iPhone 5 release. With that feature, you can use multi fingers to pinch to the Homescreen, swipe up to reveal the multitasking bar, and swipe left or right between apps.
Two applications are introduced with iOS 4.3. One is the new version of the iMovie, Apple boasts it as a precision editor and with iMovie you can send HD video around with one tap (you don’t have to go through iTunes). With one tap you can share it with your social network, YouTube, FaceBook, Vimeo and many other. Its priced at $4.99. With the new iMovie you get over 50 sound effects and additional themes such as Neon. Music automatically switches with themes. It supports multitrack audio recording, Airplay to Apple TV and it is an universal application.
GarageBand app is the other, you can plug in touch instruments (Grand Piano, Organ, Guitars, Drums, Bass), get 8tracks recording and effects, 250+ loops, email AAC file of your song and it is compatible with Mac version. This also priced at $4.99.
Related Links:
Difference Between Apple iOS 4.2.1 and iOS 4.3.1
Difference Between Apple iOS Versions and Features