iOS 4.3b1 was just seeded to developers for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. 9to5Mac quickly got their hands on it to do some digging for new features and they are already noticing a few. First is new multi-touch gestures that seems to currently be exclusive to iPad. Using four or five fingers, you can pinch out on an app to the home screen, swipe up to reveal the multitasking bar, and swipe left or right between open apps.

Next is Personal Hotspot. This was announced yesterday and will be immediately available with the launch of the Verizon iPhone 4. You can use your iPhone's internet connection to wirelessly connect up to five other devices. iOS 4.3 will supposedly bring this functionality to GSM, although AT&T doesn't have anything to say about it just yet. It's likely there will be additional fees for this feature.

Finally, while not a feature, it's worth noting that iOS 4.3 drops support for iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2. Apple clearly thinks it's time for those folks to make an upgrade.

Just a side note: my guess is that the rumored iPad 2 will launch with iOS 4.3.