This Week at 148Apps: March 6-13
This week, iPad 2 hit the shelves in stores across the United States, with eager buyers of Apple's device beginning a new journey in tablet technology. iPad 2, which features the same price tag as its original counterpart (which is now $100 cheaper across the board), also comes with iOS 4.3 installed - new software available to download for a number of Apple devices. Phillip Levin outlined the changes found in iOS 4.3 earlier this week, noting the ability to use Home Sharing on mobile devices and turning your iPhone 4 into a personal Wi-Fi emitting hotspot. "iOS 4.3 is supported by iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 GSM Model, iPod Touch (3rd gen, 4th gen), iPad and iPad 2. To download the iOS update, sync your iOS device, then click the Check for Updates button in iTunes."
Along with iOS 4.3, Apple transformed iMovie into a universal application, fully compatible with iPad, and earlier this week released GarageBand for iPad. The music creation application costs $4.99 and is available to download via the official App Store link below. We'll have a comprehensive review up shortly, but I've already checked it out and am mightily impressed with what it has to offer. This is a big step in mobile music creation.
FREE!
In other news, the March inductees to the App Hall of Fame were announced by Jeff Scott on March 9, including Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars and Vito Technology's Star Walk. Each month, twelve applications are inducted by a panel of over forty technology journalists.
Cynapse's Localscope was in the spotlight this week also, receiving the 148Apps Editor's Choice badge for its excellent iPhone integration. "I’m impressed with Localscope. It’s one of those applications that you don’t know when you’ll need it, but you’ll remember exactly why you bought it when you do need it" writes Kyle Flanigan. "And for that reason, I highly recommend this one." Localscope is available to download for $1.99, built for iPhone and iPod Touch, and compatible with iPad.
Localscope - Find places and people around you
$2.99
Angry Birds received a St. Patrick's Day update this week, continuing its trend of updating with every major holiday - something that its developers have done since its launch. A video of the "go green" update is available to watch here.
Favorite 4 took a pictorial turn this week, with Chris Nitz examining the four best third-party camera applications available for the iPhone. "Love it or hate it, the iPhone is a big player when it comes to on the go photography. Many people no longer buy point and shoot cameras as they already have their iPhone with them everywhere they go. Apple has dedicated a section of the App Store to Camera and Photography apps." The 4 include Hipstamatic, TilftShift Generator, Pro HDR and 360 Panorama. Finally, episode 75 of The Portable Podcast is available to download, featuring guests Brad O'Hearne of Big Hill Software and Chris Hall of 148Apps.
That's all for this week - be sure to check back throughout the week for an in-depth review of GarageBand and our thoughts on iPad 2!