K&B SPECIALS: 03/04/11 – 03/11/11

On Wednesday, Apple announced the next generation of iPad. To the surprise and delight of the audience, Steve Jobs took the stage at the company’s media event in San Francisco to announce the new product. Far from a mere update, iPad 2 is a complete redesign of the revolutionary device. Featuring the newly announced Apple A5 dual-core processor, iPad 2 is the world’s first tablet to feature a dual-core processor. Promising up to two times the CPU performance and nine times faster graphics, iPad 2 blazes past its predecessor. Even more impressive is the fact that these performance increases do not adversely affect battery life–iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours.

iPad 2 is also substantially lighter and thinner than its 1st generation forebear. With a design that’s 33 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter, the 2nd generation device not only looks more refined but also is more comfortable to use. Additionally, Apple is now featuring iPad 2 in two bezel colors: black and white–the back of the device is still aluminum like the original.

As many had speculated, iPad 2 features both front- and rear-facing cameras. Though the specs of each camera were not disclosed, it is a safe bet they are equivalent to those appearing on other iOS devices. The front-facing camera–highlighted during the keynote with FaceTime and Photo Booth demos–provides VGA-quality video at up to 30 frames per second, with VGA-quality still images. The rear-facing camera is capable of 720p HD video at up to 30 frames per second with audio, and still images with 5x digital zoom. The megapixel counts of each camera were not mentioned during the keynote.

On a more minor note, Apple has added three-axis gyro and a digital compass to the iPad 2, bringing it more robust motion control and location-based services. The second-generation device retains the revolutionary Multi-Touch technology available in the original iPad and other iOS devices.

Almost as interesting as what Apple changed about iPad 2 is what they didn’t. On a positive note, the iPad retains its attractive price points–both for Wi-Fi and 3G models. This means that the entry-level model still starts at $499, with 3G models starting at only $629. Two aspects of the device that Apple had been rumored to change but ultimately did not are storage capacities and screen resolution. Both models of iPad 2 are still available in the same 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB capacities as introduced last year. While the vast majority of rumors indicating a Retina display similar to the iPhone 4 had been squashed in the months leading up to iPad 2’s release, there were still rumblings of enhanced displays leading up to the device’s launch this week. Though an enhanced display surely would have been well received, iPad 2 sports the same resolution as its predecessor: 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi).

iPad 2 comes with iOS 4.3 pre-installed and will be released by Apple on Friday, March 11th. Starting at $499, models range to $829 depending on storage capacities and 3G capabilities. To learn more about the features of iPad 2, click “*here.*”:http://www.apple.com/ipad/

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.

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_

_Dear Friends,_

This week it’s Ben writing for Don while he’s away. I debated changing this week’s edition to “Kibbles & Ben” while the Top Dog is out, but I’d like to keep my job so I’ll refrain. There’s no shortage of topics to write about this week thanks to Apple’s announcements on Wednesday–most notable of course is iPad 2. Faster, lighter, and HD camera equipped? Sign me up! The fact that I can plug in my Stratocaster and rock out with a virtual pedal board in ‘GarageBand for iPad’ sold me on its own. By retaining the same pricing as the previous generation and 10 hours of battery life across the line, I’d say Apple has another hit on its hands.

iPad 2 is a remarkable device, but it seemed even more impressive when Steve Jobs introduced it. It was great to see the charismatic CEO make his first public appearance this year with such energy and enthusiasm. Although he did not update attendees on his health or plans to return to Apple, simply seeing him take the stage was reassuring.

iOS 4.3–the brains behind iPad 2–looks incredible as well. Apple continues to innovate through software as much as it does through hardware. All of the great new features in the forthcoming release indicate this trend. With technologies like AirPlay, Apple is able to push the capabilities of its hardware beyond its initial reaches. We’ve seen this with multi-tasking, AirPrint, AirPlay, and now Home Sharing and Personal Hotspot for iPhone 4. I’ve got a hunch that iOS 4.3 is merely a preview of Apple’s future plans for its powerful portables. Keep reading for more on all of Apple’s exciting announcements from this week.

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.

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.