Anthony Martin

Well, Apple’s certainly been busy.  Just after its new MacBook Pro update, the iPad 2 has been announced.  In fact, Steve Jobs personally hosted the keynote.

Yeah, it’s that important.

The iPad 2 includes some really great innovations that many were asking for in the 1st generation iPad.  Some of these features include a front-facing FaceTime camera, a rear 720p video camera, a slimmer profile (1/3 the thickness of the first iPad), a dual-core 1GHz processor (with 9x graphics processing speed), and the option to choose a white or black iPad 2.

To accommodate all of this new power, new apps have been developed.  Most notably, GarageBand is now available for the iPad 2.

Now, with the appropriate adapters, you can attach your favorite instrument directly to the iPad, while mixing tracks and adding software effects and accompaniment.

If you don’t have an instrument, there are many built-in software instruments that can be played right on the iPad, and feature pressure sensitivity and multitouch capability.

Another app that has been designed for iPad is iMovie.  iMovie for iPad 2 has been redesigned so that more advanced edits can be made on the large 1024×768 display.

The next feature is really cool.  Many users of the 1st generation iPad complained that if they got a case, the slim profile of the iPad would no longer matter.  The iPad 2 implements a magnetic cover connection.  Apple calls it the iPad Smart Cover.

These covers come in many different colors with both Polyurethane and Leather material options.  Underneath that optional material is a microfiber cloth to keep the iPad 2’s screen clean and shiny.  On one side of the Smart Cover is a magnetic clip that, you guessed it, connects directly to the iPad.  The video on the iPad’s website can explain more about the cover, like how it can be turned into both a keyboard stand and a movie stand.

That’s about it for the amazing new features on the iPad 2.  I will most definitely be putting this on my wish list now.