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Apple Announces iMovie for iPad 2

The iPad 2 isn’t just about new hardware and Smart Covers (which we already love). Apple has been busy building some exclusive apps for it, and a new version of iMovie is the first one. A precision editor with multi-track audio recording, AirPlay streaming to the Apple TV, universal app for iPhone and iPad (free upgrade for existing customers!) and new themes. The new iMovie takes advantage of the iPad 2’s faster processor and RAM to do some crazy video editing and HD sharing.

Over 50 new sound effects are available and music automatically switch with themes. The UI looks completely new and redesigned for the bigger screen which, we assume, should bring way better portable video editing. New sharing options for Facebook and Vimeo as well.

$4.99 0n March 11.

iOS 4.3 To Be Released on March 11

At Apple’s iPad 2 event, Scott Forstall just confirmed that together with the iPad 2, customers will also get iOS 4.3 on March 11. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as the new iPad runs iOS 4.3 by default with FaceTime and Photo Booth capabilities. We assume a GM build will be released shortly.

iPad 2 Has Photo Booth, FaceTime

The rumors were true, and the iPad 2 will get a Photo Booth. Thanks to its faster processor and graphics, the Photo Booth app will be able to let you see 9 video streams at once, on the screen.

And of course, the iPad 2 has FaceTime support. You can call other iPad owners, but also iPhone 4s and Macs. The interface looks very similar to the one seen on the iPhone.

iPad 2: HDMI Out, Smart Cover with Magnetic Grasp

Apple just announced the iPad 2 will do HDMI out with a $39 cable accessory that provides 1080p output in every app. Also, the iPad 2 won’t get a case – rather, Apple is launching “Smart Covers”, a set of covers available in multiple colors that automatically attach and align to the iPad 2 and can wake the screen when they are removed (as previously reported).

They grasp it, and auto-align it. I’ll show you a little video. It’s so cool. You can remove it in a second. It adds minimal weight and thickness. It’s got a microfiber cloth that cleans the screen.

Poly cases are available at $39, leather $69. Oh, and they seem to work as stands, too.

This Is The iPad 2: White Version Available, Same Price of iPad 1 [Update: Photos, Videos]

Finally, it’s here. At Apple’s media event at the Yerba Buena Center, Steve Jobs just unveiled the second generation iPad. It’s called iPad 2. It features an all-new design, it’s faster, it’s got an Apple A5 processor with dual core CPU, faster graphics. Two cameras, rear and front facing ones. A gyroscope, perfect for gaming. It looks very similar to the leaked mockups we’ve seen in the past weeks.

iPad 2 is 33% thinner than the original one, 3.4mm to 8.8mm. It’s got tapered edges and it’s even thinner than the iPhone 4. It comes in a new white design, it’s got the same 10 hours of battery life. Same prices of iPad 1. Available both in WiFi and 3G versions for AT&T and Verizon.

Other iPad 2 coverage today:

- iPad 2: Available on March 11, March 25 in More Countries

- iPad 2: HDMI Out, Smart Cover with Magnetic Grasp

- iPad 2 Has Photo Booth, FaceTime

- iOS 4.3 To Be Released on March 11

- Apple Announces iMovie for iPad 2

- iPad 2 Gets GarageBand

- iPad 2 Requires iTunes 10.2

- iPad 2 Page Is Up, But You Can’t Order It Yet

- iPad 1: Available at $399, For Now

Pictures courtesy of Engadget. More details below, and look for a detailed roundup of iPad 2 in a few minutes on MacStories.

Update: First hands-on pictures below as well. Read more

Another Angry Birds Seasons Update Coming: St. Patrick’s Day Version

The iPad 2 is just around the corner now, but the Angry Birds news just won’t stop coming in. After thanking Apple for all their efforts to build the App Store system that allowed Angry Birds to sell millions of copies, Rovio CEO Peter Vesterbacka confirmed at a GDC panel that another update for Angry Birds Seasons is coming, and this time will feature special levels for St. Patrick’s Day.

What’s St. Patrick’s Day, you ask? It’s an Irish holiday for the patron saint, where people wear green (the national color of Ireland) and, well, usually drink a lot of beer. Should we expect green-based levels? Maybe. Drunken birds and beer kegs? We have our doubts about that.

But hey, you never know what to expect from Rovio. The update will be available before St. Patrick’s Day, which is on March 17. It’ll be free for all existing Angry Birds Seasons customers. [via DownloadSquad]

IMCapture For FaceTime Lets You Record Those Precious FaceTime Calls

For those who have ever wanted to record FaceTime calls you may want to consider purchasing IMCapture for FaceTime, a new app that has the ability to record your precious FaceTime calls.  The developer has previously released an IMCapture for Skype and IMCapture for Yahoo Messenger which, as the names suggest allowed you to record calls in those alternative VoIP services.

The app comes with a variety of recording and output options, amongst the options include the ability to record just the audio choose which user (or both) to record and the video can be outputted to several QuickTime-supported formats including MOV, MPEG-4, FLV and SWF. The app runs on the Mac so you will have to be either calling or receiving the call through the Mac FaceTime client to record it. The one other negative is the price of the app, coming in at a very steep $50 - likely aimed at professionals rather than the average consumer who might record a couple of calls.

[Via MacNN]