Apple's iPad 2 Smart Cover In Action

In case you missed the Apple iPad 2 keynote today, here is Apple's new Smart Cover for the iPad 2 in action. Isn't it just brilliant? 

No Pre-Orders On iPad 2

With the announcement of the iPad 2, Apple said the iPad 2 will be available to purchase on March 11 in both black and white but those of us who are eager to secure an iPad 2 as well as one of those sleek and colorful Smart Covers will have to wait until the last second to order. Apple decided against opening up pre-orders for the iPad 2 and its accessories for unknown reasons. It isn't likely the we will see pre-orders opening up so you might as well start camping outside your local Apple store if you want to get your hands on the new and hot iPad 2. Or, you can order yours online on March 11 with free, fast shipping.

iOS 4.3 Coming March 11

Alongside the iPad 2 being announced today, Steve Jobs with the help of Scott Forstall unveiled iOS 4.3 to the world. New features in the update include the Nitro Javscript engine from Safari on OS X to make browsing super sweet, new iTunes Home Sharing that lets you play content from iTunes to your iOS device over WiFi, new AirPlay features that we saw in the iOS 4.3 betas such as the ability for App Store apps to share audio and video. For the iPhone only, iOS 4.3 adds the personal hotspot feature but for only the GSM version and for the iPad it adds Photobooth and Facetime to take advantage of the new camera on the iPad 2. Oh and Apple is giving us choice of whether you want the switch on the side to be for locking the screen rotation or for it to be a mute switch.

iOS 4.3 will be a free download available on March 11 for the iPhone 4 (GSM), 3GS, iPod Touch 3rd and 4th gen and both iPad models.

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Apple's New Smart Covers For iPad 2

All new iPad, all new cases. Apple's iPad 2 brought an array of new colored cases this year opposed to the boring black iPad Case Apple released with the first iPad. The new Smart Covers by Apple are a totally new and unique way of how we look at cases for the iPad. The new Smart Covers provide even less protection than the older black iPad Case because of how they work. The Smart Covers are not really cases but covers for the front screen of the iPad 2 but they also double as a stand for typing and viewing movies. They work on magnets and attach to the iPad 2's screen quickly and easily. Not only do these Smart Covers protect your iPad 2's screen, they clean it as well because of the microfiber lining. 

So basically what you're getting using a Smart Cover is screen protection and no back protection. You do however get the ability to flip back the Smart Cover to immediately have a keyboard and FaceTime video stand. To see how this all works out, check out the Smart Cover page. In addition to all this colorfulness we've seen with the Bumper cases for the iPhone 4, the iPad 2 will automatically lock and go to sleep once it's covered by the Smart Cover and will instantly come back to life once you remove it. It's pretty genius. 

Apple did it again with perfect accessories for the iPad 2. You can choose from 10 total colors, 5 being made out of polyurethane (same as the original black iPad Case) and surprisingly enough, 5 leather colors. The poly Smart Covers are priced at $39 while the leather ones will set you back $69. Those are pretty pricey.

iMovie and Garage Band now on iPad

iMovie and Garageband are featured apps on iPhone and iTouch and also on OS X, but not yet on the iPad. With todays announcements Apple has said that they are brining iMovie and GarageBand to the iPad, which will be able to use the iPad 2's new A5 dual-core processor to its full potential. There are tons of features with iMovie, it has new themes, tweaked UI, and a home screen that looks like an old movie theater which shows previous project and theme templates. Gestures play a prominent role in editing the clips. Transitions are fully customizable, audio is also shown with full waveforms and able to include multitrack audio and import songs from iTunes. On Garageband the iPad studio has 8 different track recordings, 250+ loops and fully compatible with the Mac version. There are cool touch instruments like piano, synths, guitars and more. You can now plug-in a guitar and shred for real with virtual guitar amps and effects. When using the virtual instruments the harder you press on the screen the louder the instrument actually gets and plays a different sound. You are able to edit, with rearranging, trim, and edit it all from you finger tips. Both of these launch on March $11 for $5.

iPad 2 Announced

Announced by Steve Jobs only moments ago, the sequal to the iPad has been announced, imaginatively named the iPad 2. The next baby to come out of Apple uses the all new A5 duel core processor with 9x faster graphics, there are front and back facing cameras, it is 2lb lighter now at 1.3 pounds, a 1/3 thinner at 8.8mm thick (which is thinner than the iPhone 4 by the way) and all in a brand new design with a white version that will ship on time! The iPad 2 will come in the same 16Gb, 32Gb and 64Gb models, all at the same price as the previous model and will ship on March 11.

There is the usual Apple accessories like a keyboard dock and USB/SD card dock connector that was available last year but we have some now we have some new ones. The first is a HDMI connector that can go straight to a TV which mirrors the iPad screen and exports in 1080p, which will be good for app demos and the like. The next new accessory for the iPad 2 is a new "case" called Smart Covers. It apparently adds no weight or bulk to the iPad while keeping it protected, the inner material is micro-fibre which will get rid of any fingerprints made while using the device and comes in either Polyurethane ($39) or Leather $69). But the coolest thing about these Smart Covers is that it uses magnets to wake and sleep the iPad when you open and close the case. Fancy!

But there is one missing chunk in this announcement. The lack of a Retina Display. Probably too costly for this iteration but I would of blown away every tablet on the market right now if it had that awesome screen.

So will you get one or is it just a pointless announcement?

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