The Verizon version of the new iPad can run 25.3 hours straight with the LTE hotspot feature enabled, according to recent testing. Though this was done on the Verizon model, we've enjoyed similar results on our new iPad running on the Rogers network.
The new iPad includes a tethering feature called Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot which lets you share your iPad's 4G LTE or HSPA+ Internet connection with your laptop or any other device that can connect to a Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot depends on your carrier, however, so while some carriers like Verizon and Rogers offer it, AT&T currently does not. (Insert pitchforks and torches here.) Even when it's offered, however, Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot may not be enabled by default and it's not obvious how to turn it on.
So you just updated to iOS 5 and you find you have a problem -- you go to use the Wi-Fi Personal Hotspot feature and it's gone. Don't fret. It's not really gone, it's just hiding, and here are a couple things you can do to coax it back.
I just restored as a new iPhone with iOS 4.3.2 and found I was missing a bunch of Settings, including the top level Personal Hotspot, Notifications, and VPN tabs. I use these a lot so needless to say it was disconcerting. After a bit of deduction, I was able to get them back. Follow on after the break to find out how...
Have an iPhone and and another iOS device like iPad 2 or iPod touch 4 and curious how to use personal hotspot to place a FaceTime video call over 3G? We showed off the feature in our TiPb TV iPad tourist video and mentioned it as a bonus in our how to connect your iPad to iPhone personal hotspot tip, but enough of you wrote in to ask about it we figured we better feature it in a tip of its own. And we're doing just that after the break!
Curious how to connect your iPad, new iPad 2, or even an iPod touch to iPhone personal hotspot? Thanks to iOS 4.3 (or iOS 4.2.6 on the Verizon iPhone) if you have a tethering plan you can save $130 on an iPad 3G, get an iPad Wi-Fi, and jump on the internet pretty much anywhere you want. We'll show you how after the break!
Complete feature guide to Apple's iOS 4.3 software for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
iOS 4.3 is now in gold master and scheduled for release on March 11, 2011 alongside iPad 2 with new features like Wi-Fi personal hotspot for iPhone, iTunes home sharing, improved AirPlay, faster Safari and more.
If you want a quick look at the new software but don't have a lot of time, check out the video above for everything you need to know about iOS 4.3 in just 5 minutes. For a more in-depth iOS 4.3 guide, read on after the break.
Note: We're combining iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad walkthroughs below since, post iOS 4.2 grand-unification the size of the updates are roughly similar. If it gets more complicated later, we'll split iPhone/iPod touch out from iPad like last time.
BGR is hearing from their sources that Apple might just release iOS 4.3 as early as today. Apple previously announced they'd be releasing iOS 4.3 on Friday alongside iPad 2 so take it with a Cupertino-sized grain of salt, however Apple has staggered release days previously to avoid everyone hitting their servers all at once. If it does come today expect the usual 10am PT/1pm ET start time.
AT&T isn't the only one confirming iOS 4.3 personal hotspot support, with Rogers (and subsidiary Fido) also letting us know their plans -- and keeping it free!
