iOS 4.3 beta version shows hot-spot feature

As expected, the developers version of iOS 4.3 will bring the hot-spot feature currently found on the Verizon iPhone 4 to AT&T handsets.

by Kent German

January 13, 2011 3:23 PM PST Follow @KentGerman

(Credit: Brian Tong/CNET)

Shortly after CNET first heard that iOS 4.3 would bring the new hot-spot feature to all iPhones, Apple confirmed the rumor when it released the update's beta version to developers. iPhone Atlas' Joe Aimonetti will follow up with a list of new iOS 4.3 features shortly, but the hot-spot option is sitting pretty inside the Settings menu of our updated AT&T iPhone 4.

Unfortunately, we can't actually use the hot spot just yet, but we welcome it nonetheless. Not only will the new Verizon iPhone 4 lack a monopoly on the feature, but also it gives AT&T customers another mobile computing option.

Like the Verizon iPhone, AT&T handsets should be able to support up to five devices. We'll have to see, however, just how much AT&T will charge to use the feature. Verizon hasn't released that information either, but we expect that carrier to levy the additional $20 per month fee that it sticks on the other devices in its lineup that offer hot-spot capability.

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