National Geographic Adventure blogger Mary Anne Potts writes that iPad 2 is transforming travel with its smaller size, faster performance, robust battery life, front and back cameras, and a slew of innovative travel apps. After editing her own travel video with the new iMovie app (“optimized for iPad and so easy to use”), Potts predicts, “this app will transform you into a virtual filmmaker.”
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iPad and more than a dozen in-house apps are helping Minneapolis-based Medtronic — a world leader in medical equipment and therapies — deliver its state-of-the-art products to physicians and patients worldwide. “iPad lets us get information to our customers much quicker than we could before,” says Michael Hedges, Medtronic’s Chief Information Officer. “On iPad, the information is delivered in a way that encourages people to use it.”
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Noting that the new 15- and 17-inch quad-core MacBook Pro models deliver “twice the CPU performance of Core 2 Duo, three times the graphics performance of the previous generation’s Nvidia GeForce GT 330M, and more than ten times the external I/O bandwidth of 800MHz FireWire,” InfoWorld reviewer Tom Yager writes, “This brand of magic can’t be conjured by Apple’s competitors.” He adds: “If, in all of this, you can’t see a reason to upgrade your notebook, maybe I can bring the point home: This might be the last notebook computer you’ll ever need or want.”
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Apple today announced Final Cut Pro X, a new version of the world’s most popular pro video editing software, rebuilt from the ground up on a modern 64-bit architecture. Final Cut Pro X completely reinvents video editing with a Magnetic Timeline that lets you edit on a flexible, trackless canvas; Content Auto-Analysis that categorizes your content upon import by shot type, media, and people; and background rendering that allows you to work without interruption. Final Cut Pro X is available from the Mac App Store for $299.99.
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Apple today introduced iCloud, a set of free new cloud services that work seamlessly with applications on your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, or PC to automatically and wirelessly store your content and push it to all your devices. iCloud services include new versions of Contact, Calendar, and Mail; iCloud Backup and Storage; Photo Stream; and iTunes in the Cloud. And for just $24.99 a year, iTunes Match will give you all of the benefits of iTunes in the Cloud for music you haven’t purchased from iTunes. iCloud will be available this fall, along with iOS 5. A free beta version of iTunes in the Cloud is available today in the U.S. and requires iTunes 10.3 and iOS 4.3.3.
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Apple today previewed iOS 5, the latest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, with over 200 new features that will be available as a free software update to iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch users this fall. New iOS 5 features include: Notification Center, an innovative way to easily view and manage notifications in one place without interruption; iMessage, a new messaging service that lets you send text messages, photos, and videos between all iOS 5 devices; and Newsstand, a new way to purchase and organize your newspaper and magazine subscriptions. And with iOS 5, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch users can activate and set up new iOS devices right out of the box and get software updates over the air — no computer required.
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Apple today announced that Mac OS X Lion — the eighth major release of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system — will be available to customers in July as a download from the Mac App Store for $29.99. OS X Lion offers more than 250 new features, including Multi-Touch gestures; systemwide support for full-screen apps; Mission Control, a bird’s-eye view of everything running on your Mac; Launchpad, a new home for all your apps; and a completely redesigned Mail app.
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Apple today announced that its groundbreaking iWork productivity apps — Keynote, Pages, and Numbers — are now available for iPhone and iPod touch, as well as iPad. Created for the Mac and then completely redesigned for iOS and the Multi-Touch interface, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers allow you to create and share stunning presentations, beautifully formatted documents, and powerful spreadsheets on the go. iWork apps are available on the App Store for $9.99 each to new users and as a free update for existing iWork for iPad customers.
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