What a day! Apple has not only exceeded our expectations for an iPad 2, but has introduced a whole slew of new apps that bring iLife to the touchscreen. Are we completely blown away? Shocked? I think all of us are going to have a hard time coming off of this one, at least until we get the iPad 2 (in black or white) in our own hands. If you’re looking for the summary of all things iPad 2, you’ll find it right here.
iPad 2 Roundup
iPad 1: Available at $399, For Now
With the iPad 2 about to hit the shelves, what’s going to happen to the original iPad? Well, Apple is apparently getting rid of remaining stock with a discounted price. In the “clearance” section of the Apple Online Store, you can see the 16 GB base model is now available at $100 off the original price. Other models come with a similar discount.
Again, this seems to be a temporary offer until iPad 1 stock runs out. So if you really want one, be quick! [Thanks, Luke]
iPad 2 Page Is Up, But You Can’t Order It Yet
So, the iPad 2 has been announced and demoed by Steve Jobs on stage, together with other Apple executives showing off the new features of iOS 4.3 and apps built for it. Apple has also updated its website to include a full rundown of the new device, but you can’t order it yet. The page says it will be available “soon”.
The iPad 2 will be available on March 11 in the United States.
iPad 2 Requires iTunes 10.2
Straight from Apple’s just-updated website, here comes a screenshot that confirms the iPad 2 needs a new version of iTunes, 10.2.
iTunes 10.2 still isn’t available for download and will likely be released in the next few days.
Update: and iTunes 10.2 is out.
iPad 2 Gets GarageBand
The second app Apple announced for the iPad 2 is GarageBand. It’s got touch instruments (but apparently you can plug in a guitar if you really want to), more than 250 loops and multitrack recording and mixing. Finally Apple has deployed its own app to turn the iPad into a music instrument, following the runaway success of music app developers in 2010.
An interesting detail: the piano demoed on stage recognize pressure on keys thanks to the iPad’s accelerometer. That’s very neat. The graphics looks really beautiful and you can switch between lots of instruments including organs and synths. You can toggle octaves and the sustain pedal on the piano. Engadget also reports you can tweak the vibrato with your finger as you slide on screen. Plus, drums!
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
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.
