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GarageBand for iPad, iPad set top box, iPad vs iPad 2: US Update
Top five reasons the iPad 2 is the tablet to beat
Apple iPad vs iPad 2: is it worth the upgrade?
Turn your iPad into a full-fledged set top box
Apple’s HDMI adapter supports iPhone 4, iPad 2, iPod touch and original iPad
GarageBand for iPad: the ultimate musician’s portal
iPad 2: hands on photos!
iMovie for iPad arrives
iOS 4.3 out this month!
iPad 2 official: Thinner, faster, new colours at launch

GarageBand for iPad, iPad set top box, iPad vs iPad 2: US Update

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 06:13 PM PST

Apple's March 2nd event has come and gone and as we lie in the wake of some serious announcements it's time to dish the daily dose of tech. In today's US Update we're locked and loaded with iPad 2 news starting with GarageBand and covering everything from turning your iPad into a set top box to breaking down the top five reasons the iPad 2 is the tablet to beat in 2011.

First up, GarageBand for iPad. With the same easy-to-use interface as its desktop counterpart, the iPad version will be the perfect tool for turning your tablet into the ultimate music tool. The app goes on sale March 11 when the iPad 2 launches for $4.99. To take your talents to your living room, Apple has announced a new HDMI adapter, dubbed the "Apple Digital AV Adapter". Priced at $39.00, this adapter allows up to 1080p output on the iPad 2 or 720p output on the iPhone, iPod touch or original iPad.

In our guide on how to turn your iPad into a full-fledge set top box, we examine all of the possible uses for your iPad. Whether you decide to use an Apple TV and AirPlay or the HDMI adapter, getting your content on the big screen is now easier than ever. Have an original iPad and debating whether to make the switch to the iPad 2? Have no fear, we've put together a breakdown of how the next-generation tablet stacks up to its predecessor — you be the judge.

Last up this morning is the top five reasons the iPad 2 is the tablet to beat in 2011. Whether you look at price, resale value, build quality or battery life, the iPad 2 certainly has a leg up on the competition. The question is whether or not these reasons will be enough to battle the Xoom, PlayBook, TouchPad and Tab 10.1 this year.

That wraps up the goods for today. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Top five reasons the iPad 2 is the tablet to beat

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 05:49 PM PST

The Apple iPad 2 does not launch until March 11th, but many consider it the tablet to beat. Sometimes spec sheets and marketing hype get in the way of the cold hard facts. Let's take a look at the top 10 reasons the iPad 2 maybe be the tablet to beat in 2011.

Price
The cost of admission to take home the 16GB WiFi-only iPad 2 is only $499. The original iPad will drop to $399, becoming the ultimate value in tablets. Not everyone needs the 3G support or extra storage and for this reason alone Apple has the edge at the check out counter.

Battery life
Doubling the processing power to a dual-core A5 chip while still maintaining 10 hours of battery life is no small feat. The iPad 2 is certainly not the Kindle, but 10 hours of battery life should be plenty for most users.

Apps
There are over 300,000 apps in the App Store, 65,000 of which are designed specifically for the iPad. For comparison, Android currently offers 150,000 apps. How many of those apps are designed for Android 3.0 Honeycomb remains to be seen.

Build quality
When you spend $500 on a piece of hardware you want it to play the part of a high-end gadget. The aluminum casing and glass display of the iPad 2 is exactly that. The new design is thinner and lighter than its predecessor and Apple has managed to cram even better technology inside.

Resale value
As tech aficionados we can appreciate high resale value for our gear. With only a single tablet running iOS in the market, the demand online is substantial. Reselling your iPad for nearly your purchase price is easy as pie. In the world of tech this is extremely rare.

The iPad 2 is certainly not for everyone, but regardless of your allegiance certain advantages do exist when you choose iOS. The Motorola Xoom, BlackBerry PlayBook and Galaxy Tab 10.1 are on our short list of favorites for 2011. Whether you decide to go with Apple or any of the three aforementioned tablets, we're sure you'll be quite a happy camper. What are your top five reasons the Motorola Xoom is the tablet to beat in 2011?

Coming March 11 | Apple | $499 and up

Apple iPad vs iPad 2: is it worth the upgrade?

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 05:23 PM PST

The iPad 2 looks good on paper, but should you make the switch? We break down Apple's latest creation, covering everything from the new A5 chip to the cameras, giving you everything you need to make your decision by March 11th.

Dimensions: size and weight
The original iPad was 0.5 inches thick and weighed in at 1.5 pounds. The iPad 2 follows the style of super-slim iPod touch, measuring 0.34 inches in thickness and weighing in at 1.33 pounds. These changes might sound subtle, but once you feel the iPad 2 in your hands, the difference is significant especially when carrying the tablet for extended periods of time. Apple is quick to point out the iPad 2 is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter (depending if you buy the WiFi or WiFi+3G model).

Processor and memory
The original iPad featured 256MB of RAM and the A4 chip, a 1 GHz processor also used inside the iPhone 4, Apple TV and iPod touch. The iPad 2 doubles the memory to 512MB and uses the dual core 1 GHz A5 chip. This means significantly faster performance in single operation and multitasking environment. What does this mean in the real world? More RAM means more simultaneous apps. A dual-core processor will make those apps runs faster even when other apps are running in the background.

Graphics, graphics, graphics
With 65,000 apps in the App Store designed specifically for the iPad, gaming is a huge part Apple's success. Delivering high-quality graphics requires a trusty GPU. The iPad 2 has been upgraded to a new graphics processor which delivers up to 1080p video output using the optional HDMI adapter. With iOS 4.3, you'll be able to connect your iPad to your HDTV and show off your gaming skills in the living room. The new GPU will offer higher resolution output and be able to handle more complex graphics than the original iPad. Your favorite games play smoother and you can show them off in stunning 1080p. The addition of a 3-axis gyroscope should also make the iPad 2 a bit more responsive in certain games.

Pictures and Video
The lack of a front or rear-facing camera on the original iPad was one reason many, including myself, took a pass. The iPad 2 features a VGA front-facing camera which records 30 frames per second and a back camera which records 720p HD video, also at 30 frames per second. When taking still shots you'll also be able to use the 5x digital zoom on the rear camera. The addition of cameras will be huge when using Skype for iPad, FaceTime or PhotoBooth for iPad. Those three apps alone might be worth the upgrade.

What hasn't changed?
Despite the upgrades, much of the iPad has remained the same. For starters the display is still a 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology. The resolution remains 1024 by 768 at 132 pixels per inch (ppi) and not the Retina display we were hoping. Both the iPad and iPad 2 offer up to 10 hours of battery life, 3G connectivity, WiFi b/g/n support, 3.5mm headphone jacks, 30-pin dock connectors, accelerometer/ambient light sensors, aGPS, and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.

Wrapping it all up
Now that you have a clear picture of how the iPad and iPad 2 differ in terms of features and size the choice is yours. Consider whether you'll be using the cameras and whether the improved performance and small/lighter footprint will provide a more enjoyable experience. If you do decide to make the jump, there's plenty of online merchants ready to take your listing. With the original iPad dropping in price today you might not get as much as you would have 24 hours ago, but Apple products have excellent resell value.

Coming March 11 | Apple | $499 and up

Turn your iPad into a full-fledged set top box

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 04:28 PM PST

On March 11 when the Apple iPad 2 goes on sale, many will question the shelf life of the original iPad. Before you jump the gun and go selling your first-generation tablet let's explore the possibilities. Can we turn the iPad into a true set top box?

AirPlay or HDMI?
In order to exploit the potential of the iPad we need additional AirPlay support. Thankfully in today's iOS 4.3 announcement, Apple confirmed that enhancements to AirPlay will allow streaming of additional content including video from their party apps and websites. Additionally we'll be able to stream videos from the Photos app and previews from the iTunes app to our TV. The only caveat is that in order to make use of this new capability we'll need to have an Apple TV.

Apps on the big screen
As we discussed earlier in our HDMI adapter announcement, choosing between a $39.00 adapter or a refurbished $85.00 Apple TV will be difficult. With AirPlay support for all third party apps, streaming Hulu Plus is a cinch. If you're looking to save some coin you could always use the dedicated video apps offered by network television providers. Bottom line, getting TV from your iPad can be achieved via AirPlay or the HDMI adapter.

Downloaded video, no problemo
Being able to stream video content from apps is a start, but what about downloaded video content on our computers? Thanks to iTunes Home Sharing, iOS 4.3 allows playback of music, movies and TV shows on either an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch from the iTunes library on our PCs or Macs. Using the HDMI adapter, simply connect your iPad to your TV and begin streaming your iTunes library from your computer wirelessly.

What about live TV?
At&t U-verse, DirecTV and even some premium providers like HBO currently offer access to their content via apps in the App Store. Alternatively, installing a Slingbox on your network will get the job done. Using either Airplay or the HDMI adapter you'll be able to send your SlingBox feed to your big screen without forking over the ridiculous fees charged by your service provider for another box. If you're looking for over the air programming, opting for the HDHomeRun and using a combination of EyeTV and turbo .264 will bring a live stream as well.

Time for a verdict
At the end of the day the enhancements iOS 4.3 brings to AirPlay and iTunes Home Sharing, combined with the new HDMI adapter, will help transform your iPad into your set top box. The HDMI adapter certainly has the resolution advantage for the iPad 2, but the original iPad outputting in 720p will certainly impress. If you are looking to drop all the wires in your setup you'll need to pick up the new Apple TV. A next generation Apple TV with A5 chip should offer 1080p playback, but a release date is unknown.

Apple’s HDMI adapter supports iPhone 4, iPad 2, iPod touch and original iPad

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 03:47 PM PST

Dubbed the Apple Digital AV Adapter, the new HDMI adapter unveiled at the iPad 2 event this morning has managed to fly beneath the radar of many new outlets. At Electricpig we're here to deliver all the goods so let's shuffle through our findings, shall we?

The new HDMI adapter was demonstrated on the iPad 2 this morning. However, Apple has confirmed the adapter is compatible with the iPhone 4, fourth-generation iPod touch and the original iPad as well. So what's the catch? Simple, you'll be limited to 720p output on these devices as opposed to the 1080p output on the iPad 2.

What does this mean in terms of quality? Obviously output depends on your source material, but HD videos purchased from iTunes and dished out on the latest Apple TV in 720p look excellent, so expect the same from these three devices as well. Since the iPhone 4, iPod touch, original iPad and Apple TV all use the A4 chip, the limitation of 720p output is clearly hardware related.

As you can see above, Apple has listed the 'Apple Digital AV Adapter' in their online store with a coming soon tag, but pricing is confirmed at $39.00. The price point looks to be a tricky situation.

For $85.00 you could purchase a refurbished Apple TV and use AirPlay to send content to your big screen in 720p. However, AirPlay support is not available in many application. This HDMI adapter on the other hand should provide unadulterated access to your device interface regardless of content. For some of us this could be a difficult decision.

Coming Soon | Apple Store | $39.00

GarageBand for iPad: the ultimate musician’s portal

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 03:19 PM PST

In addition to iMovie for iPad, today we had our first glimpse at GarageBand. The iPad friendly app looks to live up to the motto, "let your fingers do the rockin'." Here's what you need to know.

Much like iMovie, GarageBand for iPad will be available in the App Store for $4.99 on March 11th. For the price of admission you'll have access to a collection of instruments in a virtual 8-track recording studio. This means the keyboards, guitars, drums and basses you've used in the desktop version are at your finger tips, but with multi-touch gesture support.

Apple didn't stop with multi-touch, they also included pressure sensitivity. Using the iPad's accelerometers, the app can determine the amount of force with which each finger taps. Essentially you feel as though you are pressing a mechanical piano when you're using the keyboard instrument.

Once you've completed your multi-track masterpiece you'll be able to share the recording with friends via email or send it to your iTunes library. For now, we've only seen the app demoed on the new iPad 2. Whether or not the first-generation iPad will be compatible remains to be seen. We'll know for certain on March 11th.

Coming March 11 | App Store | $4.99

iPad 2: hands on photos!

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:44 AM PST

Oh man. We just tried out the iPad 2, and while it does indeed appear to be the same as the leaked model from earlier today, speaker grill and all, it’s a lot prettier in the flesh. It now genuinely does feel like a giant iPod touch, since there are no longer sides, rather than a completely sloping metallic back panel – and we’re liking the white casing too. Needless to say, it’s as digustingly thin as it sounds.

On the software front, iOS 4.3 feels the same as it ever was, though we had a quick tinkle on the ivories with Garage Band for iPad: the scope here for bedroom music producers really is enormous.

Lastly, we also checked out the new smart cover, which clips on to the iPad 2 with magnets and slaps shut. It works as advertised: between this and the new metal back we can see the fear of scuffing your precious slate being removed entirely. Enough talk, check out all the pictures of both iPad 2 shades right here.

iMovie for iPad arrives

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:20 AM PST

iMovie for iPad has just been unveiled at Apple’s San Francisco press conference today, which throws in some extra bells and whistles to make better use of the iPad’s screen space compared to the iPhone and its respective iMovie app.

Said new features include multitrack audio recording, precision editing, the ability to stream video over AirPlay video to a second gen Apple TV, and the option to upload to various websites in HD, including YouTube and Facebook. iMovie for iPad is out 11 March for $4.99.

Out 11 March | $4.99 | Apple

iOS 4.3 out this month!

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:13 AM PST

iOS 4.3, which has been available in beta builds for developers for some time, is now official. The new build of iOS packs in extra AirPlay features such as in app video streaming, iTunes home sharing of media files, and to the relief of many, the option to use the switch on the size of the iPad as either the mute or screen orientation lock. Power to the people!

And unsurprisingly, iOS 4.3 for the iPad 2 brings FaceTime – since the iPad 2 now uses a camera. Apple’s iOS chief Scott Forstall demoed FaceTime working on an iPad 2, and it was a whole lot more seamless than Google’s bundled video chat with Cee-Lo a few weeks ago. It’s a free download on 11 March for third and fourth generation iOS devices.

Out March 11 | £free | Apple

iPad 2 official: Thinner, faster, new colours at launch

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:03 AM PST

Here it is folks, the iPad 2. Steve Jobs has just unveiled the brand new tablet at Apple’s press conference, and there’s a few surprises in store. Read on for for the full details.

It looks like some of those iPad 2 leaks were on the money: the new iPad 2 has a thinner 8.8mm profile, plus a dual core A5 processor, and both rear and front facing cameras. It’s slimmed down on the scales too, clocking in at 1.3lb instead of 1.5lb. It looks like the screen on the iPad 2 hasn’t changed however, though magnets have been built into the device to work with Apple’s new accessories.

What not all the tipsters however, managed to leak one tidy bit of news: the iPad 2 will ship in black and white “from day one” as Jobs jokes – and for the same price as the original iPad was at launch.

Apple has also announced two new accessories. The first is a $39 HDMI connector that pumps 1080p video through the USB connector on the iPad 2. The second is a series of leather and polyurethane solvers with magnets inside, which snap down and peel off very easily. They will both ship in five colours, priced at $69 and $39 respectively.

The iPad 2 launches on 11 March in the US, and 25 March in “high volume countries”, which should include the UK. Are you excited?