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Apple iPad 2 Smart Cover vs. InCase Convertible Magazine Jacket... Fight!
By now you've seen Apple's Smart Cover, right? The mind blowing cover (don't call it a case) pretty much stole the show during yesterday's iPad 2 press event, causing children to weep at the sight of our exploded bodies. Thing is, we've seen the design before. Oh sure, Apple improved upon it significantly, but there's no mistaking its InCase Convertible Magazine Jacket heritage. See the two slug it out on video after the break in some kind of weird reverse KIRF cage match. We guess 2011 really is the year of the copycats.
Firemint announces Real Racing 2 HD, enhanced graphics for iPad 2
Expect to see a rash of new and/or improved games for the shiny new iPad 2 in the near future. One of the first publishers out of the gate is Firemint, announcing enhanced graphics for Real Racing 2 HD. Firemint says that although it had no detailed advance knowledge of exactly what iPad 2 would bring, the actual announcement has turned out to suit what they've been developing very well, i.e., gyroscopic controls, faster graphics and a lighter form factor that will be easier on gamers' hands when holding the device. "Real Racing 2 HD has been significantly enhanced beyond what could work on existing devices, and our efforts have definitely given us a head start on iPad 2," Firemint says. "All these attributes combined with our enhancements to Real Racing 2 HD will create the most precise and intuitive car racing experience on any device. The 1080p HDMI output also opens up some great possibilities." Sounds like those enhanced graphics are going to be really enhanced. [via MacStories]
Apple's iPad 2 keynote video ready for your viewing delight
Missed Steve Jobs' surprise reappearance to unveil the iPad 2 this morning -- or perhaps, are you an Apple fan who just can't get enough? Well, it just so happens that Apple taped its latest magic show for you to watch at your leisure. Find it at our source link below, and imagine a time before 9.7-inch tablets hit the gym and slimmed down to just 1.3 pounds light. Oh, and we've also got a comprehensive liveblog, if video's not your style. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
iPad 2 Steve Jobs keynote is now live on Apple's website and in iTunes
Want to watch Steve Jobs' iPad 2 presentation in its entirety? Wondering what nuances you missed because they just can't be captured by a live blog? Then point your browser to Apple's website or to iTunes' feed of Apple Keynotes, as the video from the iPad 2 event is now available for your viewing pleasure. It's worth a few minutes of your time just to hear the round of applause and the standing ovation Jobs received when he strolled onto the stage. You can watch the video here. Enjoy!
The iPad 2 and 1080p, there's nothing to see here
Today is of course iPad 2 day and the HD world didn't get left without any news. Many seem excited about the iPad 2's 1080p video output, we're not. It isn't that we don't think that teachers and marketing professionals alike will really find it useful, it's just that we will laugh our way right out of your house if we walk in and you have a 20 foot HDMI cable strung across the living room floor watching 720p movies or playing Angry Birds on the big screen. What's that you say, the iPad can output 1080p? Well sort of. The iPad can mirror its 1024x768 display in 1080p but it still won't decode 1080p H.264 videos, and we don't know what type of TV you have, but we'd bet ours does a little bit better job of scaling than the magical iPad. All that being said, the iPad 2's new form factor will increase its desirability as a couch companion -- not to mention we'll buy anything with magnets -- but an HD source device, not so much.
iPad 2 arrives at the FCC
Right on cue, the three radio variants of the iPad 2 -- that's the WiFi A1395, GSM A1396, and CDMA A1397 -- have arrived at the FCC's labs for stringent testing. We're sure Uncle Sam's testers will stay on task checking up on RF interference and not just spend their time melting faces with Photo Booth, but we understand the temptation. [Thanks, Laura]
TUAW TV Live: It's the iPad 2 aftershow, and you're all invited
This afternoon on TUAW TV Live, I'll be joined by several of my TUAW compatriots over Skype as we ponder the mysteries of the new iPad 2. By the time the show's on, we will have all had time to digest the details of the iPad 2, iMovie for iOS, GarageBand for iPad, iOS 4.3 and, of course, the all important Smart Covers. You can either join us here -- there is a livestream viewer and chat room on the next page -- or over at http://ustream.tv/tuaw. Too busy this afternoon, or in the middle of a commute? That's not a problem. You can now watch TUAW TV Live past episodes on the TUAW YouTube Channel, or subscribe to the video podcast on iTunes. If you're driving somewhere and would like to watch TUAW TV Live while you're stuck in traffic, please don't -- keep your eyes on the road! However, if someone else is doing the driving, you can watch the show on your iPhone and join the chat by downloading the free Ustream Viewing Application. If you're on an iPad, you should be able to use the Skyfire Browser to watch the stream, although you will not be able to participate in the chat. We'll start at about 5 PM ET, so if you're seeing a prerecorded show, be sure to refresh your browser until you get the live stream.
Apple releases iTunes 10.2
Well, you'll still have to wait a little while before you can use it with an iPad 2, but Apple's already released iTunes 10.2 for those that like to be nice and ready. It brings with it support for iOS 4.3, and promises "improved Home Sharing" when browsing and playing your iTunes libraries on your iOS 4.3-equipped devices. We'll let you know if we discover anything else hidden away inside -- and you can feel free to do the same in comments.
Apple's Digital AV Adapter also works with iPhone 4, fourth-gen iPod touch, and first-gen iPad
In case you're wondering whether Apple's forthcoming Digital AV Adapter is worth your $39, you might be pleased to know that said HDMI dongle is also compatible with the latest crop of iOS devices before the iPad 2. This includes the iPhone 4, fourth-generation iPod touch, and even the first-generation iPad. Alas, both movies and slideshows will be capped at 720p output from these older devices, whereas the iPad 2 goes a little further with screen mirroring of up to 1080p -- we're guessing the beastly dual-core A5 chip is what makes the magic happen here, though movie output's also limited to 720p. And hey, we're only a few months away from finding out if the next iPhone will also get some 1080p love, so no pressure on buying this dongle just yet.
CE-Oh no he didn't!: Steve Jobs misquotes Samsung, asks what you're gonna do about it
Hey, remember all the fun last month when Samsung's Lee Young-hee said that Galaxy Tab sales were "quite smooth" but everyone heard "quite small?" Yeah, well, Steve Jobs doesn't. Before unveiling the iPad 2 today the man in black and denim listed that early misquote -- which was widely and officially corrected -- as evidence to prove that the iPad's competition was floundering. Admittedly that isn't far from the truth, but there's no need to go putting words in other executives' mouths to make a point.
TUAW TV Live at 5 PM ET: iPad 2 post-announcement love
In case you didn't get enough high-fiber content from your favorite Apple blog today when we went live with our coverage of the Apple event, I'll be providing input and commentary later this afternoon (5 PM ET / 2 PM PT / 10 PM GMT) on the regularly-scheduled TUAW TV Live. I'll have some special guests joining via Skype calls, and as usual, you should expect to see any video or photos we have of today's event. The fun all starts here at 5 PM ET -- show up here a few minutes early to get logged into the Ustream chat tool, and we'll be starting the live feed at 5. One other thing -- if you can't watch the show live, it's now available as a podcast in iTunes. Click here to subscribe and watch the show at your leisure. New episodes will be added weekly.
iPad 2 vs. Motorola Xoom vs. HP TouchPad vs. BlackBerry PlayBook: the tale of the tape
You might recall we ran this comparison about a month back when HP's TouchPad was announced, but now we're back with a full set of 2011 devices as Apple's brand new iPad 2 has joined the fray. There's no need for excessive introductions, really, just leap past the break to get swalloped up by an avalanche of next-generation tablet specs.
iOS 4.3 announced, different features for different devices
Today at the live event, which our own Medical Leave Steve showed up to host, we got a peek at the pending version of iOS 4.3. This will be out on March 11, along with the next generation iPad, also announced at today's event. At first glance, the important differences depend on which iThing you're actually running it on. First and foremost to iPad owners is the following: a rollback of the switch function! Now you will get the option of what that little flippy switch controls: orientation lock or mute. There is also a marked improvement in iOS 4.3 if you have a GSM iPhone: Personal Hotspots are now an option! There's no question there will be a charge for this, but at least it will appear sooner than later. Now for the things that are improvements for all devices that will run iOS 4.3: AirPlay will now let you stream from your photo library as a slide show, from App Store apps, and even websites. Also for everyone is a notable update to Safari. Now the Nitro JavaScript engine will power Safari, making mobile web surfing a little perkier as well. NOTE: This update is for iPad, iPod touch gens 3 and 4, and ONLY the GSM iPhone. Those shiny new Verizon iPhones will just have to wait.
Apple Store is back up, gives more detail on the digital adapter
The Apple Store is back online and features information for the iPad 2, along with the iPad Smart Cover and the Apple Digital AV adapter, which also supports video output from the original iPad, iPhone 4 and current-generation iPhone 4, but mirroring will only be on the iPad 2. Video out supports up to 1080p for the iPad 2 and 720p for the original iPad, iPhone 4 and iPod touch. The iPad 2 will be available starting March 11, and there are no pre-orders.
iPad 2 first hands-on! (update: even more video!)
Well there you have it folks -- the absurdly thin new iPad 2. We just got our hands all over the next greatest tablet from Apple and it's... very much the same, save for that new body. There's no question that the industrial design is top notch, and we did notice some speedier behavior when jumping around -- but the core OS remains unchanged, so this won't be a major shock. We're spending more time with the device and getting impressions, but for now, feast your eyes on the galleries below.Update: Okay, we've had a chance to play around the with iPad 2 some more, and here are our big takeaways from the experience. This thing is insanely fast. We're not joking -- it's blazingly fast. Everything the iPad 2 does feels like it's on turbo. We're uploading a video of the some evidence of this, you'll be appropriately stunned. The design feels great in your hands. Sleek, super thin -- much nicer to hold than the previous version. Definitely has more of a magazine than book feel. Everything is tight and solid. It is pretty amazing how thin they've gotten the device. Even software made for the first generation device feels better here. Safari is definitely sped up. Games looked great on-screen, though obviously there are no updates to the resolution of screen technology here. This is an evolutionary step, but we definitely don't feel like it's lacking for features. People are going to gobble these up when they see the new apps.Update 2: We've got some video after the break!Update 3: More videos!%Gallery-118203%%Gallery-118206%
iPad 2 vs. original iPad: what's changed?
Shockingly enough, Apple found plenty of things to tweak and update on its spectacularly successful iPad. Alright, so the screen resolution didn't improve and we didn't get that ultra-speedy Thunderbolt connector on board, but the iPad 2 is thinner and lighter while somehow becoming more powerful -- a 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 SOC lurks within. Check out our full breakdown of the key spec differences in the chart after the break. It's great fun, we promise!P.S. - While you're poring over these stats, don't forget that Apple's decided to slap a $100 price cut on the original iPads, making them eminently more desirable today than they were yesterday.
iPad 2 cameras set for FaceTime
Now that the new iPad is confirmed to have both a front- and a rear-facing camera, the iPad joins the iPhone, iPod touch and Mac as a FaceTime-capable device. The new iPad front-facing camera features VGA quality video at 30 frames per second, which is the main camera people will use during FaceTime chats, but presumably the iPad 2 FaceTime program, like the iPhone 4 FaceTime, will support camera rotation. The rear camera on the iPad features HD-quality video at 720p resolution. No word on whether a Windows version of desktop FaceTime is in the works.
Apple will update iMovie app to support iPad
It's no surprise with the new cameras on the iPad that Apple has also introduced a version of iMovie tailored to the iPad, but is a universal update that includes the iPhone. Features include a precision editor, multitrack audio recording with more than 50 sound effects, new themes, the use of AirPlay to stream to the Apple TV, sharing HDs and the ability to upload to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and CNN iReport from the app, in addition to a send to iTunes button. The iMovie app is $4.99. The update to support the iPad will be available on March 11, but those with the iPhone can download the current version of the app now.
Apple announces GarageBand for iPad
Earlier today, Apple announced GarageBand for the iPad (US$4.99). Available March 11, this app puts the power of audio recording and editing on the sleek, portable iPad. Features include touch instruments, guitar and amp effects (you can plug your guitar in for live recording), 8-track recording and mixing and more than 250 loops. Plus, you can email an AAC version of your song and even share projects with GarageBand for Mac. You say you're not the most talented musician in the world? No worries. The app's "Smart Guitar" will keep you in tune by suggesting chords and even "strumming" the strings for you. When I think of what I paid for a junky 4-track recorder in high school, one that was a glorified cassette deck, and compare it to this thing, I'm floored. Apple announced the iPad 2 in a press event earlier today. You can catch our live coverage here.
Apple announces Smart Covers for iPad
After the lackluster reception to the original Apple iPad case, a new product called Smart Covers was introduced alongside the iPad 2 today. The case will come in five colors in both polyurethane and leather -- the poly costing $39 and the leather $69. The cover is more like a cover flap that leaves the back of the iPad exposed. It's held on by magnets, which are said to help auto-align the cover with the iPad. It has a microfiber lining that will clean the screen. The cover will wake the iPad when you peel it back, and put it back to sleep when you close it.
