Though iOS 4.2.1 just began rolling out earlier this week, reports are emerging that Apple is already planning another update, iOS 4.3, for mid-December.

The new update is closely linked with the rumored launch of Rupert Murdoch's new pet-project, an iPad-only newspaper called The Daily. Here's what Murdoch, CEO of News Corp., told Fox Business (a News Corp. subsidiary):

According to DaringFireball, the 99-cent weekly (or $4.25 monthly) charge will be billed directly through iTunes, without a central "iNews"-type app. Subscription-based charging, obviously, would be required. However, this functionality is not present on even the iOS 4.2. 

MacStories is reporting that since 4.2.1 was delayed, this is causing the two updates to be so closely timed. But Apple had always been planning to launch 4.3 on December 13, a Monday. This date is close to a rumored December 9 launch of Murdoch's Daily.

If nothing less, we should expect to hear a major announcement by Apple about the new update and The Daily on or before December 9.