iMovie on the iPad

Ok, a non-business post related to the iPad (I couldn't resist after spending time with this app over the weekend).  With the release of the iPad 2, Apple has unveiled the iMovie app.  iMovie, just as it sounds, makes it simple (REALLY simple) to create movies right on the iPad.  It provides easy access to your content (photos, video and music), which can be easily manipulated and output to a movie file.

In about 30-45 minutes, I was able to create a 4 minute video using pictures of my kids and stream it to my LCD TV (using AirPlay and the AppleTV).

Although designed for the iPad 2, it is possible to put the iMovie app on the first-generation iPad (Wired.com provides an excellent overview of how), which is what I did.  Granted, this is not a real straight forward process, but it does work and is worth the effort to figure it out.

The downside of iMovie?  You need to have the content you want to use stored locally on your device, meaning pictures, video and the music library.  This can take up a significant amount of space, depending on the amount of content you have.

Apple iPad Guide - iOS 4.3

Last week, I pre-ordered Apple's iPad User Guide (iOS 4.3 version) and I "received it" over the weekend.   This is a FREE iBooks download that is currently available through the Apple bookstore.  It is a 451 page user guide that is certainly worth having resident locally on your iPad.

Enjoy!

Apple Releases iOS 4.3

Apple released it's new iOS software on March 9, 2 days in advance of the release of iPad 2.  Although nothing huge in changes has been made, it is worth getting the update on the iPad as soon as possible.  Here is a useful article summarizing the enhancements in the new update.

AirVideo, which is a video streaming app for the iPad that works with media content on your Mac or PC, especially has some nice improvements.  The ability to use AirPlay to stream your content to a TV through the AppleTV device has been added.  What does that mean?  If you are at a friend's house and they have an Apple TV, you can stream content from your home media content to the iPad and display it on your friend's TV.  Pretty slick!