Today at the Apple Special Event Apple showed off many new products Software as well as Hardware. Steve Job’s made a surprise appearance and said,”We’ve been working on this product for a while, and I just didn’t want to miss today.” So let’s get straight to it shall we.
iPad 2: Apple released their iPad 2. It now come with Apple’s custom built dual-core A5 Processor, that is supposed to boost performance 2x and graphics all the way to 9x. This iPad will is going to be faster than ever (and people thought the original iPad was fast). But it still has the amazing 10hr. battery life. Also a built in Gyroscope for better orientation a
s Bob Mansfield the Head of Hardware said. This is going to be better for games that really use those sensors. Extremely new design. 33% thinner (13.4 to now 8.8) and almost 15% lighter (1.5lB to now 1.3lB). The new design completely makes the “side” disappear, it literally looks like a big iPod Touch. The iPad 2 will come out in White and Black, like the iPhone should have shipped but it seems that Apple has figured it out now. The iPad will come in a Verizon and ATT version, but separately not together. Not only has Apple preserved the battery life, but it has also preserved the price, exactly the same prices and same capacity as the last generation. Mr. Jobs noted that 5 out of 6 models were cheaper than the $799 price point of competition. Steve was obviously pointing toward the Motorola Xoom. 2 Amazing Accessories: Digital A/V Adapter and Smart Cover. The Digital A/V Adapter will let you have a real-time mirrored projection of what you’re doing on an iPad through a HDMI output, it also allows you to charge the iPad simultaneously and costs $39. Next the Smart Cover, which is a cover that attaches to you iPad with magnets and can fold to angle the iPad for viewing a movie or typing. $39 for polyurethane in 5 colors or $69 for leather also in 5 different colors. One software feature with this accessory is that when you open the cover the iPad will automatically wake and when closed, will go to sleep. That’s it for the iPad 2 Hardware-wise. the iPad will be available March 11th and Apple is not accepting Pre-Orders so you will have to wait in line at 5:00 to get one at a retail store.
iPad 2
Smart Covers
iOS 4.3: Scott Forstall, head of iOS, came up onstage to Demo iOS 4.3. Feature included Nitro JavaScript Engine which loaded JavaScripts twice as fast. iPad Switch preferences, either mute or oriental-lock. Personal Hot-Spot feature for iPhone 4. FaceTime for iPad. Also funnily Photo Booth from Mac was ported over to the iPad to make your ridiculous face even funnier. There are 9 choices, and using your finger you can change aspects of the effects like using a mouse on Photo Booth for Mac. iOS 4.3 will be available to iPad, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPod Touch 4Gen and 4Gen in March 11th.
iMovie for iPad: Randy Ubillos Chief Architect of Video demoed iMovie for iPad and showed how easy it was to make wonderful movies in a matter of minutes. iMovie for iPad had a cool theater interface, and more Themes and Transitions. iMovie for iPad will be available March 11th for $5.
Garage Band for iPad: Xander Soren of Music Marketing demoed the first version of Garage Band for iPad. There are hundred of touch instruments implemented into Garage Band that you can play directly on the iPad’s screen. Also with adapter’s you can add real instruments or with the mic record music while playing. You can have up to 8 tracks at a time, that you can edit add or delete stuff all directly on your iPad. Garage Band for iPad will come out March 11th for, again, $5.
That was pretty much all of the news today at Apple’s Event. Though I am wondering what happened to Mobile-Me. Retail Stores are no longer being supplied with the Boxed Versions of Mobile-Me and the Website is only offering the 60 Day Trial and no longer selling it. Who knows what apple has rolled up their sleeves. Come back soon after March 11th to see a review of the iPad 2.
-MacMusings
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