Wednesday, alongside the introduction of iPad 2, Apple showcased iOS 4.3–the software behind its latest hardware innovation. Building off existing abilities of iOS, 4.3 perfects several established features and introduces just as many new ones. Though designed specifically around iPad 2, the update is compatible with many existing iOS devices as well. The full list of compatible devices is as follows:

* iPhone 3Gs
* iPhone 4 GSM Model (AT&T)

* iPod touch 3rd generation
* iPod touch 4th generation

* iPad
* iPad 2

Here is a detailed look at some of the refinements and new features of iOS 4.3:

*AirPlay Enhancements*

Apple’s revolutionary AirPlay technology gets even better in iOS 4.3. Previously allowing you to stream music, movies, and photos from your compatible device to Apple TV, AirPlay will now stream video from the Photos app. This feature, highly requested post launch of iOS 4.2 last year, enables users to shoot home video and instantly share it via Apple TV. Additionally, Apple has allowed AirPlay-enabled apps and websites to stream to Apple TV.

*Safari Performance Boost*

Apple has implemented a new Nitro JavaScript engine into iOS 4.3. This nets users a speed boost up to two times faster than iOS 4.2. While pages will load faster in general, Apple claims sites with numerous interactive features–obviously no Flash–will appear significantly faster.

*iTunes Home Sharing*

With iOS 4.3, Apple has expanded iTunes Home Sharing to iOS devices. This means users will be able to stream the entirety of their iTunes libraries from their Mac or PC to their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. In addition to music, users can stream movies, TV shows, and podcasts directly to their device.

*iPad Side Switch*

Traditionally, Apple doesn’t make very many mistakes. However, when the company introduced iOS 4.2 for iPad last year, many users were upset that the update permanently altered functionality of the side switch on their iPads. Sensing a slight misstep, Apple has listened to user feedback and remedied the issue in iOS 4.3. iPad owners will now be able to choose whether they prefer the switch function as a mute switch or as a screen-orientation lock through the Settings menu.

*Personal Hotspot for iPhone 4*

Though it was introduced alongside the launch of the Verizon iPhone 4 last month, iOS 4.3 introduces Personal Hotspot for iPhone 4 to all users of the device, and yes, AT&T has confirmed they are on board. For an additional $20 per month, iPhone 4 owners with AT&T’s higher tiered Data Pro plan will receive 2 additional gigabytes for Personal Hotspot usage. The handset’s 3G connection can be shared with up to five devices at once over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB. Though only three connections can take place via Wi-Fi, two additional devices can be added over Bluetooth and USB.

The release of iOS 4.3 will accompany the launch of iPad 2 next Friday, March 11th. The update will be pre-installed on all versions of iPad 2 and available as a free download for users with older compatible devices. If you own one of the aforementioned devices, you can download the update on the 11th by connecting it to iTunes. As always, we recommend you perform a full backup of your device prior to updating.

Mac OS X is well known for the deep levels of customization it affords users. Just about every aspect of the OS is customizable to an extent–especially if you know your way around the command line. Regardless of whether it’s through performance tweaks or aesthetic changes, making it your own is one of the joys of owning a Mac. While it may seem like a familiar tip for longtime OS X users, a question we frequently hear is, “How do I move the little icons in the Menu Bar?” This is a great question, especially given the intuitive and easy customization of the Bar’s southern neighbor–the Dock. If you’ve ever tried to rearrange the mini icons for Bluetooth, Airport, Volume, etc, then you have probably discovered they’re a bit too stubborn for the typical click and drag. The secret is in the Command key. Simply hold it while clicking and dragging, and you can rearrange Menu Bar icons just like in the Dock!

Need to cut the clutter? With Command held, drag any item from the Menu Bar onto the desktop. Release the mouse, and you’ll get a satisfying “Poof!” and an accompanying cartoon cloud of smoke. If you remove something important–the clock let’s say–don’t fret. Simply visit System Preferences and the corresponding Preference Pane to re-enable the feature. In this instance, we’d want to visit System Preferences > Date & Time > Clock and click the checkbox “Show date and time in menu bar.”

It is good to note that these tips work best with pre-installed system Menu Bar icons. These include Bluetooth, Time Machine, Airport, Volume, Date & Time, Username, and more. While many third-party developers build this functionality into their apps, it’s not guaranteed to work. Often times the best way to disable a rogue third-party icon is through the preferences located within the app.

*mini mac treat #1:* To access the preferences of any application press Command + comma! The more you know…

Keep in mind that your Menu Bar mileage will vary based on your screen size. If you’re running an 11-inch MacBook Air, you’ll want to be fairly selective with the number of icons at the top of the screen. Option-heavy applications like Photoshop need a lot of room to display all of their menus.

iMovie for iPad was announced at Apple’s media event Wednesday. The new app–which draws substantially from its OS X and iPhone 4 counterparts–takes full advantage of many of the powerful new features of iPad 2.

Using the new device’s built in HD camera, users can shoot 720p video and seamlessly import it into the app for editing. In addition to videos, iMovie for iPad is also compatible with photos from the Camera and Photos apps. Once videos and photos have been imported to the app’s timeline, users can select from eight themes to give their movie a unique feel. Clips can be trimmed and transitions can be adjusted in the Precision Editor–which can be accessed with a pinch gesture. Here, users can adjust video clips to flow smoothly into one another.

iMovie also includes robust soundtrack support, allowing you to create the perfect score for your personal blockbuster. With support for multi-tracking and direct recording from iPad 2’s onboard mic, users are afforded plenty of options to make their film sound just as good as it looks. The app even includes over 50 sound effects to add to the experience.

The app includes an array of ways to share a completed movie. Users can publish directly to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and CNN iReport from within the app. Video can also be exported back to the Camera Roll, where it can be emailed, uploaded to MobileMe, or even sent to a friend via MMS on iPhone 4. iMovie users can also take advantage of iOS 4.3’s AirPlay upgrades to stream movies directly to Apple TV. As iPad 2 features up to 1080p video mirroring, movies can also be played on any HDTV by means of the Apple Digital AV Adapter. If you own both an iPhone 4 and an iPad 2, videos can even be transferred between the two devices via iTunes so you can edit on the device of your choice.

iMovie for iPad is an iPad 2 exclusive app. It will be available in the App Store for $4.99 beginning Friday, March 11th.

I must admit, though a Vermonter born and bred, the chilly wind, ice and snow of the past few weeks has been getting to me. I’ll be taking a vacation of my own next week to sunny California where I’ll hopefully have a chance to thaw out.

Things may have been somewhat quiet in Cupertino since the launch of the Verizon iPhone 4 last month, but now it’s evident what Apple was working on. Between the souped up MacBook Pros introduced last week and the incredible iPad 2, it’s a great time to be an Apple fan.

Thank you for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

Your (mini) Kibbles & Bytes Team,
_Ben_

GarageBand for iPad marks the debut of Apple’s music creation software on an iOS device. Since the App Store opened its doors in 2008, hundreds of 3rd party developers have released music creation apps of different types. GarageBand for iPad is the culmination of these efforts. Packing tons of Multi-Touch-based instruments, loops, samples, and effects, GarageBand for iPad delivers features for professional musicians and budding enthusiasts alike.

GarageBand features an abundance of Touch Instruments ranging from acoustic drums to synths. The app includes three acoustic drum kits, several drum-machine-inspired drum pads, a wide range of keyboards, and over 70 synthesizers. All of these instruments recognize and respond to hard and soft taps, varying dynamics accordingly.

In addition to Touch Instruments, GarageBand also features a collection of Smart Instruments. These instruments–intended for novices or those looking to lay down a quick groove–feature easier chording, strumming, and grooving. Included in the mix are Smart Guitars, Smart Keyboards, Smart Bass, and Smart Drums.

Supplementing the onboard instruments are virtual guitar amps and stompbox effects compatible with actual electric guitars. The app contains nine classic and modern amps, and ten stompboxes ranging from trippy phasers to classic fuzz distortion. You can even create a customizable pedalboard within the app. GarageBand also includes an Audio Recorder for vocals or any other acoustic instrument. A series of eight effects can be applied for both practical and humorous applications.

Similar to its OS X equivalent, GarageBand for iPad’s strengths are not limited to its recording options. Contained within the app is a powerful multi-track editor, allowing users to mix levels and fine-tune tracks to create sonic perfection.

GarageBand for iPad will be available in the App Store for $4.99 beginning Friday March 11th.