Apple has released the beta for iOS 4.3, which brings new features including personal hotspot capabilities, support for AirPlay video streaming in third-party native (and web apps), a redesigned FaceTime icon, as well as support for multitouch gestures for the iPad. The beta is for the iPad, iPhone4, iPhone 3GS and Apple TV 2G, meaning the original iPhone and its successor the iPhone 3G miss out. The SDK offers a clue about new features on the forthcoming iPad 2, suggests Thinq: “We’re also hearing unconfirmed rumours that code for controlling an iPad camera is buried deep within the Software Developer’s Kit (SDK)”. If true, this would add further credence to what the report describes as “the worst-kept secret in the world: that the iPad 2 will have cameras.”

The personal hotspot feature was highlighted by Verizon Wireless at its launch this week of the iPhone. It enables users to create their own hotspot and share their Wi-Fi connection with up to five other devices.

Another new feature that has been unearthed from details of the new OS is a configurable slide switch for the iPad. Boy Genius Report also notes that full-screen banner iAds are now possible on the iPad and noted a new service called Find My Friends. “The purpose of the service is unknown for the time being, but the code suggests that it is tied to MobileMe,” the report said, suggesting that Apple wants to add location-sharing to MobileMe. Finally, according to “some pretty wild information from one of our Apple sources”, the addition of multitouch gesture for the iPad is because the tablet will be losing its home button in the future. According to Thinq: “Apparently, Steve Jobs originally wanted all iDevices to be button-free and the iPad 2 and iPhone 5 could see him finally getting his way”.