There’s been a crazy quantity of news over the last day—new iPad and Apple TV hardware, new iOS and iTunes software, a new iPhoto app for iOS, and updates to virtually every major Apple-developed app in the App Store. Here’s an index to all of the major stories we’ve posted so that you can see what’s what, easily.
The Third-Generation iPad: Apple unveiled the third-generation iPad, dropping its recent numbering scheme in favor of calling it “the new iPad.” It features a Retina Display with over 3 million pixels, a new 5MP rear camera, support for some 4G LTE networks, and a body that’s slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad 2’s, but is otherwise cosmetically virtually identical. After the announcement, we discovered that the new iPad’s battery was much larger, Bluetooth 4 was added, and AirPlay was still locked at 720p from the super high-res device.
Click on the title of this article for many more links to our coverage.
AT&T and Verizon unveiled 4G LTE data plans for the new iPad, with price tiers that are similar to their most recent 3G offerings. Verizon will include support for Apple’s mobile hotspot/tethering feature for the iPad for free with its plans while AT&T says it is “working with Apple” to implement it on its side; the feature is also open to and likely will be supported by international carriers.
The iPad 2 Drops to $399. A 16GB Wi-Fi model is available at the new price point, with a 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G version at $529. Refurbished iPad 2 units are now selling for $349 and up.
The Third-Generation Apple TV. Apple updated the 2010 Apple TV with a new single-core A5 processor and 1080p video streaming capabilities, as well as a new “streamlined” user interface.
The Second-Generation Apple TV Gets 5.0 Software. Apple quietly updated the prior-generation Apple TV with the same software found in the third-generation Apple TV, minus only the ability to play 1080p videos. The new user interface has app-like icons on its top menu level, and moves list-like options to the top of subsequent Movies and TV Shows screens, emphasizing options available for purchase and rental.
iOS 5.1 was released for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch shortly after the event. Most notably, it adds faster camera access to certain iPhones, and supports a Japanese-language version of Siri.
iTunes 10.6 was released immediately after the event, including 1080p support, support for the new Apple TV and iPad, and improved iTunes Match performance. We’ve published a full Instant Expert article on iTunes 10.6 here. Support for re-downloading previously purchased movies from some companies was also added to the U.S. version of iTunes in the Cloud.
iWork, GarageBand, and iMovie all received updates, and a new iPhoto for iOS was released. We reviewed iPhoto for iOS, praising its broad scope while criticizing some under-intuitive editing features.
You can watch a video of the Apple Event here. iLounge’s conveniently summarized live coverage of the event can be found here.
