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Difference Between Apple iOS 4.2.1 and iOS 4.3.2

Apple iOS 4.2.1 vs iOS 4.3.2

iOS 4.3.2 is the latest update to Apple’s iOS, Apple’s proprietary operating system for iDevices. Till now iOS 4.2.1 is the most widely used operating system in iDevices. Many are waiting for iOS 4.3 to stabilize before they upgarde their operating system. Within the two months from the release of iOS 4.3, Apple has announced two updates, iOS 4.3.1 on 25 March 2011 and iOS 4.3.2 on 14 April 2011. Both are small software updates to iOS 4.3 that contain improvements and bug fixes. iOS 4.2.1 is the other popular OS that is used in nearly all the iDevices until the release of iOS 4.3. The system is popular for its clean and professional user interface, best Apps store in the world, Safari browser, fast boot and speedy access to applications. The difference between iOS 4.2.1 and 4.3.2 includes all the new features in iOS 4.3, iOS 4.3.1 and the new updates in iOS 4.3.2

iOS 4.3.2

iOS 4.3.2 incorporates all the features in iOS 4.3 and iOS 4.3.1 and inaddition has included some improvements and bug fixes. The new updates are to fix a screen freezing issue that some iOS 4.3 and 4.3.1 users encountered when they tried to hold FaceTime chat. It also fixes an issue some iPad users faced when connecting to international 3G networks.

Following are the improvements and fixes in the official release of the iOS 4.3.2 update

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

Apple iOS 4.3, iOS 4.3.1 and iOS 4.3.2 are compatible with iPhone 4 (GSM model), iPhone 3GS, iPad 2, iPad, iPod touch 4th generation and 3rd generation. This updates are not compatible with CDMA iPhone. The update for iPhone CDMA model also was released on 14 April 2011, the update is iOS 4.2.7. It contains mainy the same security updates as in iOS 4.3.2.

This update does not cover the user complaint regarding reduced battery life after updating to iOS 4.3, so we can expect another update soon.

Apple iOS 4.3.2

Release: 14 April 2011

New updates:

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.

Compatible Devices:

• iPhone 4 (GSM model), iPhone 3GS

• iPad 2, iPad

• iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (3rd generation)

iOS 4.3.1

Apple iOS 4.3.1 is a minor update to iOS 4.2.1, which was issued to address some of the problems users faced after upgrading the OS to 4.3 from 4.2.1.

Apple iOS 4.3.1

Release: 25 March 2011

New updates:

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.

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.

Apple iOS 4.2.1  ( iOS 4.2)

The fourth version iPhone OS commonly referred as Apple iOS or iOS version 4 was released in June 2010 that specially supports multitasking, iAd, Game Centre and more. iOS 4.2.1 is a major update to iOS 4.0. iOS 4.x are not fully backward compatible. Some devices like iPhone 3G and second generation iPod Touch are not compatible with iOS 4.x. iOS 4.0 also had many minor upgrades.

iOS 4.0.1 was released in July 2010, it came with the fix to reception signal indicator.

iOS 4.0.2 was released in August 2010 to fix some security issues.

iOS 4.1 released in Sept 2010 featured improved battery life, introduction of game centre, supports for HDR Photography (High Dynamic Range Imaging) and introduced a tool called PING to discover social music network.

iOS 4.2 released in November 2010 was not released to public and was suppressed by the release 4.2.1 in November 2010. iOS 4.2 was updated to  iOS 4.2.1 to include large screen iPad in November 2010.

iOS 4.2.1 supports multi tasking, Airprint, Airplay, Find Mobile, Game Center, many languages and keyboard support, different tone alerts for text, iTune TV show rental, Calender invites and responds , accessibility enhancement, notes with different fonts and better mail client functionality.

Apple iOS 4.2.1

Release : November 2010


1. Multitasking

This is a method of sharing common processing resources such as a CPU to multiple applications.

(a)Background audio – Can listen to music while surfing web, play games etc.

(b)Voice over IP – Voice over IP applications can receive calls and continue talking while using other applications.

(c) Background location – Provides efficient way to monitor location of users when they move and in different towers. This is a great social networking feature to identify friend’s locations. (If they allowed only)

(d) Local notifications – Application and alert users of scheduled events and alarms in the background.

(e) Task finishing – Application will run in the background and finish the task completely even if user leave it. (i.e click mail application and let the mail app check mails and now you can message (SMS) to send SMS while you are on call, still the mail application will receive or send mails.)

(f) Fast Application Switching – Users can switch from any application to any so that other applications will be running in the background until you switch it back.

2. Airprint

AirPrint makes it simple to print email, photos, web pages, and documents right from your iPhone.

3. IAd – Advertising on Mobile (Mobile Advertisement Network)

4. Airplay

AirPlay lets you stream digital media wirelessly from your iPhone to the new Apple TV or any AirPlay-enabled speakers and you can watch movies and photos on your widescreen TV and play music through the best speakers in the house.

5. Find my iPhone

The MobileMe feature helps you locate your missing device and protect its data. This feature is now free on any iPhone 4 running iOS 4.2. Once you set it up, you can find your lost device on a map, display a message on its screen, remotely set a passcode lock, and initiate a remote wipe to delete your data. And if you eventually find your iPhone, you can restore everything from your last backup.

6. Game Centre

It allows you to find friends to play or auto match someone to play with you in multiplayer games.

7.  Keyboard and Directory enhancement

iOS 4.2 supports for 50 languages.

8. Folders

Organize apps in to folders with drag and drop feature

9. Messages with text tone

Assign custom 17 tones to people in the phone book, so that when you get SMS without looking at the text you can identify who sent it.

Related Links:

Difference Between Apple iOS Versions and Features