According to MacObserver.com, Apple has released iOS 4.3 to the public on Wednesday afternoon (March 9, 2011). The update will appear in iTunes for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users just after 1PM eastern time, or 10AM pacific time.
So it appears that iOS 4.3 will begin rolling out today March 9, 2011. There had been previous reports from Engadget and Steve Jobs himself, that iOS 4.3 wiould be released on March 11, 2011, but it seems as though Engaget and MacObserver have downloaded iOS 4.3 today.
Here's more from Engadget:
"Apple's releasing the final version of iOS 4.3, which features the Nitro Javscript engine from Safari on OS X, new iTunes Home Sharing features that let you play content from desktop iTunes over WiFi, and the updated suite of AirPlay features from the betas -- including the ability for App Store apps to share audio and video."
"It'll be a free download for all iPads, the GSM iPhone 4, the iPhone 3GS and the third- and fourth-gen iPod touch when it's released on March 11. When will it hit the Verizon iPhone 4? We don't know yet."
This update contains new features and improvements, including the following:
• Personal Hotspot*
- Share iPhone 4 mobile data connection with up to 5
devices (combination of up to 3 Wi-Fi, 3 Bluetooth,
and 1 USB)
• iTunes Home Sharing
- Play music, films and TV shows from a shared iTunes
library on a Mac or PC (requires iTunes 10.2)
• New AirPlay features**
- Play videos from the Photos app including the Camera
Roll album, iTunes previews, enabled third-party apps
and websites on Apple TV
- Play slideshows from Photos on Apple TV using
transitions available on Apple TV
• Faster Safari performance with Apple Nitro JavaScript
engine
• HD video out using the Apple Digital AV Adapter***
- View 720p HD videos from Videos app, iPod app,
Photos, YouTube, Safari, Keynote and enabled
third-party apps on an HDMI display
• Ping features
- Push notifications for comments and follow requests
- Post and Like songs directly from the Now Playing
screen
- Parental controls
• New Settings
- Messages setting for number of times to repeat an
alert
- iPad side switch setting to lock screen rotation or mute
audio notifications and sound effects
• Single-tap conference-call dialling with a pause to send
a passcode
• Bug fixes
Products compatible with this software update:
• iPhone 4 (GSM model)
• iPhone 3GS
• iPad
• iPod touch (4th generation)
• iPod touch (3rd generation)