Features of iPad 2 and Shipment Details Officially Announced by Apple

Apple has officially announced the details and features of new iPad 2. Today, Apple's CEO Steve Jobs set the stage to announce the next version of the iPad, the iPad 2. Steve Jobs has also announced some updates about iBooks, with over 200 million registered accounts and $200 million dollars paid out to publishers. Apple announced that they have sold 15 million iPads in 2010, in only nine months since its launch.

Steve Jobs unveiled the new iPad 2. The updated device will come with an A5 dual-core processor, with 2x faster CPU, 9x faster GPU, which offers the same low-power benefit as the A4 processor. The iPad 2 features a front and rear-facing camera, so you'll be able to FaceTime with other iPad, iPhone or iPod touch users.

The new iPad 2 is thinner than the original iPad, at just 8.8mm thick, thinner than the iPhone 4. The second generation iPad weighs in at 1.3 pounds, slightly lighter than the original. It will be available on both AT&T and Verizon, and in both black and white, with no shipping delays, unlike the iPhone 4.

Apple reports the iPad will have a 10 hour battery life, with up to a month of standby time. Pricing will be the same as the original, with the same WiFi-only and WiFi+3G models in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Pricing starts at $499 for the 16GB WiFi model and $629 for the 3G 16GB model.

The new Apple iPad 2 will ship on March 11 in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and UK, and March 25 in 26 more countries. There will also be an accessory cable that delivers HDMI mirrored video output (1080p). The accessory cable will allow you to charge your iPad while you use it. The new cover will also feature a magnet which can lock your iPad when you close it and wakes when you open it.

FaceTime for the iPad will now allow you to transfer video between an iPod touch (4th generation), iPhone 4, and supported Macs. FaceTime will soon allow HD video (up to 720p) for streaming live video.

iMovie will soon come with a massive update for the iPad 2, with a precision editor, multitrack audio editor, new interface and many more exciting features.

The new Apple iPad 2 features:

• 9.7-inch display
• 1024 x 768 resolutions
• Fingerprint-resistant oleo phobic coating
• Rear camera that supports 720p recording
• Front facing VGA camera
• 3-axis gyro
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light sensor
• Digital compass

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Price and Features of iMovie & GarageBand App for iPad

Apple has announced the release of its iMovie and GarageBand Applications for the iPad at its iPad 2 announcement event. This new application featuring brand new interfaces optimized for a larger screen, the new versions are set to take advantage of the large screen size and touch screen capabilities to provide a new way of working with user created content.

GarageBand is a new addition for the iOS platform. It features 8 tracks of recording and mixing, as well as over 250 loops to be used in projects. Projects are compatible with the Mac version. Musicians can use on-screen instruments or plug in a physical guitar, and GarageBand uses some features impossible in the Mac version to enhance the feel of virtual instruments. For example, to detect a harder hit of the piano key, GarageBand uses the accelerometer to detect the force of the hit.

iMovie will include features expected from the Mac version, such as precision editing, multitrack audio recording, and themes. iMovie will include over 50 sound effects, and users can also record their own audio. Projects are laid out in a stylized movie theatre setting, providing snapshots of projects in front of a brick wall backdrop.

iMovie and GarageBand will cost $4.99 and will be out on March 11th.

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