The sleek iPad 2!

The new sleek iPad 2 is finally here! Apple chief executive despite his illness made a surprise appearance at San Francisco at the launch of the much awaited iPad2.

Wearing his signature black turtleneck and blue jeans, Jobs began the over 70-minute event by saying, "We've been working on this product for a while and I just didn't want to miss today. Thank you for having me."

Jobs also said, "Our competitors are just flummoxed. They went back to their drawing boards, tore up their designs."

The iPad 2 is available in white and black and costs same as the first version. The iPad 2 is thinner than the iPhone 4 also.

The much awaited iPad 2 will ship in the US on March 11 and in 26 other countries, including Mexico, New Zealand and Spain, on March 25.

A feature which was missing in the first model comes with front and rear cameras in the current version of iPad. The two cameras are for taking photos and video chatting.

It has a new Apple-designed chip that performs standard calculations twice as fast as its predecessor and offers a nine-fold boost in graphics performance.

The battery life is about 10 hours of usage and a month on standby.

The iPad 2 is thinner -- 8.8 millimetres instead of the current 13.4 millimetres and weighs 1.3 pounds, compared to the 1.5-pound original.

The new iPad also has a new case, a 'smart cover’ that magnetically attaches to the front of the iPad to create a screen protector.

It automatically puts the machine into sleep mode when it is attached and is sleeker as compared to the case for the original device, which was bulky and interfered with the tablet's performance.

There is also a new accessory for the iPad through which it can be connected to high-definition televisions.

The new system, iOS 4.3, includes support for Apple's video-chat programme Face Time and will enable people to hold conversations between iPads, iPhones and Mac computers.

Jobs also announced that e-books published by the country's largest consumer book publisher, Random House, will be sold directly via the iBookstore.

Source: http://www.rediff.com/business

Apps you must have !

Evernote: A revolution in note-taking
This app is revolutionizing notes as we know it. Evernote is a mobile and web sync friendly, media-rich note-taking machine. The basic function of the app is note-taking with the ability to add voice, photos, location and tags as well as the option to share with friends. The most exciting feature of this app is the Evernote trunk, which is filled with all sorts of valuable tools that are sure to help you excel at multiple things on your mini handheld.
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile.

Wikipanion: Who needs a textbook?
Who needs an encyclopedia when you have Wikipedia’s brain child, Wikipanion? This app has really high ratings – because it’s simply a great app. You can access open source content on any topic imaginable, an essential tool for everyone.
Platform: iPhone.

Cliqset: Consolidate your stream
Sharing, discovering and discussing on mobile and the Web just got easier: Follow your streams on Facebook, Twitter, Buzz — 70 social networks all told — in one place with Cliqset. This app is sure to simplify lives.. Platform: iPhone.

iTranslator: Translations at your fingertips
You can use iTranslator to connect to Google Translator, Babel Fish or Free Translation to help with your language translation on your go, best app for business travelers who travel to multiple countries. Platform: iPhone.

Kindle: Save money on textbooks
Digital books are for sure the way to save space and maintain your own handy personal library. With over 6,000 textbooks available for the Web, mobile and tablets, Amazon’s Kindle is the easiest and environment friendly way  to grow your library.
 Platforms: iPhone, iPad.

Source: Multiple

iPhone 4 - It can't get any better

The new phone is powered by an A4 CPU (the same chip used in the iPad) and sports a 3.5-inch screen with 960×640 resolution, dual mics, and an upgraded camera system that will include HD video recording and editing capabilities.

Here are a handful of specs we’ve learned so far:

* 9.3mm thick, 24% thinner than current iPhone
* 3.5″ display, same as current iPhone
* 326 ppi display, 4 times the previous iPhone’s pixel density
* Case uses stainless steel and glass, including a glass back for the device
* Powered by the A4 chip
* Larger battery means 7 hours of talk time, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of WiFi browsing, 10 hours of video, 40 hours of music and 300 hours of standby
* 7.2MB download and 5.8MB upload speeds, depending on carrier capabilities
* Gryroscope in addition to accelerometer
* 5MP camera with 5x zoom, tap to focus and LED flash
* HD video recording, and iMovie for editing video on the iPhone
* Front- and rear-facing cameras for FaceTime, the new video chat app
* iOS will allow for multitasking

Rumors about the latest iPhone, which has often mistakenly been called the iPhone HD have been flying around since early this year. At the end of March, the most substantive rumors were posted by John Gruber. Many of those features are included in the final product.

One of the most anticipated features of the new iPhone is iPhone 4.0 OS, or iOS. The new operating system supports multitasking, video chat, better file management and folders, iBooks, the new iAd platform and the Apple Game Center.

Current iPhone owners who have an iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS can also upgrade to the new iPhone OS 4.0, but only third-generation iPod touch, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 owners will be able to take advantage of multitasking.

The new iPhone is available in black and in white, with storage capabilities of 16 and 32GB. The device will be available starting June 24 in select countries. Pricing starts at $199 for the 16GB model with an AT&T upgrade and 2-year contract. The 32GB device starts at $299.

Source: www.mashable.com
photo : www.apple.com