Hands-On with iPad 2 (Video)

Immediately after Jobs finished announcing the iPad 2, I had a few minutes to play with one and I'm impressed. It's thinner, lighter and faster and with two cameras it's the first practical mobile device for shooting, editing and posting video.

The new iPad, which will ship on March 11th, is 1/3 thinner and now is 1.3 pounds down from 1.5 pounds.Black and white versions, shipping white from day one. Models work with Verizon and AT&T 3G from day one.

Jobs also announced a "smart cover' that attaches to the device via magnets. It wakes up the iPad when you open it and it has a lining that cleans the screen when you open and close it.

IOS 4.3

Apple also announced a new version of the operating system for iPads and IPhones. IOS 4.3 supports turning an iPhone 4 into a Wi-Fi hotspot. Also lets you stream media from computers to iPad and iPhone.

iPad will now have Facetime and Photo Booth.

iMovie and GarageBand for iPad

iMovie for the iPad makes enormous sense, making it practical to shoot, edit and upload video from the field.

GarageBand has smart instruments that respond to how you pound the virtual keys or strum the strings. The harder you press on a piano key, for example, the louder the note, just like a real piano.

iMovie and GarageBand will cost $4.99 each and be in the App Store on March 11th.

 

Follow Larry Magid on Twitter: www.twitter.com/larrymagid

Comments

[schmuckwithearlaps]

08:45 AM on 03/03/2011

At the risk of being a sourpuss, these comments show more than just the difference between the haves and have nots in America today. I like the guy or gal who brags "I will be getting two of them" which means I have money to burn while you suckers can't even get a job. These electric devices are the bread and circuses by which are keeping people happy and off the street,. Now, with another toy, along with video games and porn, we can all be passive little brutes while we take our orders from the Koch puppets in Washington and the State houses. OK, folks, remember the instructions for today. First there was Communism, then there was terrorism and now there is unionism. Got out and hate! Then play with your toys.

[limpinalien]

08:45 PM on 03/02/2011

Don't get one of these or any other consumer device unless you really need it. Save the planet and some money in the process.

[Cyrus Trance]

11:11 PM on 03/02/2011

As soon as they are available I will be getting 2.

Just thought I would let you know.

[planetjeffy]

07:21 PM on 03/02/2011

I went to a meeting today, to discuss a web project - artists, developers, SEO, social media, etc
Everyone had an iPad

You can't beat the portability, ease of use and monthly 3G costs.

[Lucille]

07:05 PM on 03/02/2011

I like it so far its tops on my tablet list, however, I'd like to see what cheaper tablets come out like the LG and others. I know those will do less than the iPad but what I want is internet access, e-reading, taking pictures, Skype and viewing movies but the tablets that are currently out now don’t do those things very well. That is except the Xoom, or at least that’s what I assume since their price is more than an iPad.

[jabreal00]

06:10 PM on 03/02/2011

Well it's nice that it's thinner. It looks like it has a faster processor. It has a rear and front facing camera. Why should I run out and get one?

[Cory Key]

04:48 PM on 03/02/2011

Love my iPad 1. Will not be upgrading any time soon.

[EbineezerLemonSqueezer]

04:47 PM on 03/02/2011

HOW MUCH ????!!!!

[ShawnRay]

05:33 PM on 03/02/2011

with 3G 64 GiGs - $899, $499 for 16 GiG base model

[EbineezerLemonSqueezer]

06:18 PM on 03/02/2011

thanks

[kcinci]

08:34 PM on 03/02/2011

$829, not $899 for 3G/65GB

[Highball]

06:18 PM on 03/02/2011

The Wi-Fi only models are $499, $599, and $699.

The 3G models are $629, $729, and $829, from either ATT or Verizon.

Personally, I think these look freakin' amazing. I can't wait to get one, but I'm not sure where I'm going to find the cash. :)

[thestargazer]

04:22 PM on 03/02/2011

does it have flash or a usb port?

[Brian Hudson]

04:39 PM on 03/02/2011

No. It also doesn't have 5 1/4" floppy, a serial port, or cassette player.

[ratsavage]

10:28 PM on 03/02/2011

It also doesn't network via smoke signal.

[ShawnRay]

05:34 PM on 03/02/2011

USB standard Apple charger

[Will98]

04:17 PM on 03/02/2011

oh great the Ipad 2 has everything the Ipad 1 should have had *snore*

[metropixie]

05:52 AM on 03/03/2011

It's called the next Generation, and it's why your kids are smarter than you.

[Will98]

08:05 AM on 03/03/2011

your analogy is so completely faulty. Next generation isnt automatically smarter because it is the next generation. It is sometimes more knowledgable because it builds on the knowledge gained in the previous generation.

secondly, what does that have anything to do with the ipad? Ipad1 could and should have had a webcam, it even has slots for it but they didnt put the camera there so the apple sheeple followers would buy the next one when it does come with a camera.

Apple is so shameless sometimes its unbelievable.

[GreenCollareconomist]

03:57 PM on 03/02/2011

yawn...

[Bradson]

03:23 PM on 03/02/2011

Still no Wacom-like stylus capability? Although wonderful art is being done with fingers and the clunky, finger-size pens available, for most professional graphics (like my area, book illustration) that simply will not do, so the iPad remains off my list until it embraces a real stylus.

[NHBill]

04:13 PM on 03/02/2011

go to Amazon and search for ipad stylus.
There are several to choose from.

[Bradson]

08:42 AM on 03/03/2011

Thanks for your response. I have kept up with that. All of those products are blunt instruments inappropriate for most commercial illustration assignments.

[kramereng]

06:09 PM on 03/02/2011

There's 3rd party stylus for it. I use one.

[Lindstr7]

03:21 PM on 03/02/2011

Doesn't look all that great to me. How much?

[gfs5541]

03:30 PM on 03/02/2011

Same prices as with the original iPad (Wi-Fi version starts at $499.00 ; Wi-Fi/3G version at $629.00). But heck, there's still the Motorola XOOM starting at $799.99 ;)

[Paulitik]

03:33 PM on 03/02/2011

Pretty much the same price as the iPad 1. This is the one I've held out for, cameras, Garage Band, and iMovie. No more clunky laptops to bang up and constantly be at risk of theft. An iMac and an iPad, and I am set. I will be picking one up soon.