Apple iPad 2 Launch Live Blogging Stream with Comments

On March 2nd 2011 Apple is expected to unveil their second generation tablet, the iPad 2. The event in San Francisco and BBC Television centre starts at 6pm GMT and we will bring you the latest news and updates right here on this thread. You will be able to comment and reply to others via our intense debate platform below this post by either entering your email (anonomous) or using your Facebook or Twitter logins. We will publish all comments (so long as they are clean). You can also post Seesmic video responses too!

18:37 Photo booth for the Ipad 2, so powerful you can view 9 video streams at the same time. You can edit photos by touching

15:52  Apple Store has been replaced with a ‘we’ll be back soon’ post it note, obviously to show the new product or indeed service from tonight’s event.

17:45 Growing excitement now, apparently John Lasseter, Genius from Pixar is here. Perhaps showcasing some animated goodies!

17:46 Everyone is making their way to their seats, music playing (Beatles), voices and journos still babbling away.

17:56 No sign of Steve Jobs 🙁 but Jony Ive is at the event. There is still time though.

17:59 Expect a grand entrance “switch your devices to silent’

18:03 Steve Jobs in the house!

18:03 ‘we’ve been working on this product for a while now and I didn’t want to miss it’ Steve says

18:05 iBooks to start, detailing the cross over between iTunes, iBooks and the app store. Also confirming shipment of 100 millionth iPhone!

18:07 “we started with the iPod, the iPhone and iPad. Each one has been a blockbuster”

18:08 A slide detailing that Apple sold 15 million iPad’s om December 2010, more than every other tablet pc sold in all time

18:10 65,000 iPad apps sold in 2010, Steve says developers are taking advantage of ‘this incredible UI’. Providing fantastic games, apps and utilities.

18:11 Slide showing just 100 Honeycomb apps – Zing

18:11 time for a video

18:12 it just showcased the iPads huge popularity

18:14 a case study shows the positive affects on schools who use the device in Chicago

18:15 Same thing about the advancements Doctors have enjoyed using the iPad, freeing up time and allowing them to focus on patients

18:16 Some infor on how apps and software combined with the iPad can help children with autism learn

 18:18 Introducing the iPad 2

18:19 it will come with a dual core processor, with 2x faster CPU, 9X the graphics  and the same battery life.

18:19 33% thinner with gyroscope and front facing camera (more on that in a min)

18:21 in addition to the thinner frame it will also be lighter. Just 8.8 mm thick and 1.3 pounds

18:22 will come in black and white and will work on AT&T and Verizon!

18:23 10 hours battery life has been tried and tested

18:24 Prices will remain the same, what will 2011 be the year of? The iPad 2 of course (big cheers from the crowd)

18:25 Ship date will be 11th March with 26 countries rolling out the Ipad 2 on 25th March

18:27 users will be able to charge it whilst using it, it comes with 1080p graphics

18:28 introducing smart covers

18:29 They are magnetic roll back covers that switch the iPad 2 on when you roll it back, they look a little crappy if not innoviative

18:30 they actually look like they snap on, this could be a little like marmite

18:32 a nice array of colours though and it folds in portrait/landscape

18:32 Introducing iOS 4.3 – iTunes home sharing and safari performance

18:33 using the nitro javascript engine it allows users to access content over wi-fi via airplay improvements

18:36 iPhone 4 will now come with personal hotspot

18:38 Facetime will work between iPads and iPhones and even iMac

18:40 users will be able to switch between the two cameras whilst using Factime, an example would be a group call. Live Demo

18:41 11th March roll out for iOS 4.3

18:42 another new app – iMovie

18:42 will feature editing, audio recording, new themes, Airplay to Apple TV, share HD videos, Universal app

18:44 Randy does some live photo editing, it looks awesome in HD

18:46 users can utilise 50 sound effects and tracks

18:48 tracks can be looped and themes can be set and automatically change when videos are switched.

18:48 users can share videos easily with YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo

18:49 iMovie will also launch on 11th March and will cost $4.99, possibly £2.99 in UK

18:50 App number 2 – Garage Band with intro from Xander sOREN

18:52 You can turn the iPad 2 into an array on instruments – wicked!

18:53 keys are gesture and pressure controlled, hit it harder and it will be louder

18:54 different equalizers and types of pianos and organs are being showcased, they sound mint and the keys and background even changes to match

18:56 drums – hit the snare on the outside for a different sound, same with the symbols. Very clever stuff

18;57 plug in your guitar for an amp, and plug in your headphones for silent playing (duh). The amp has some built in effects too

18:58 gesture control via strumming of instrument

18:59 We wonder when this one will be released, good money on the 11th March

19:01 8 tracks can be laid down and edited together on the iPad 2, a really cheap way of editing new music

19:03 Steve is back and guess what – $4.99 price tag and out on 11th March

19:03 Summary by Steve Jobs

“so, iPad 2, amazin product. Faster, Lighter, thinner. Cameras and Gyro.”

“iOS 4.3 and Facetime, iMovie, Garageband,, 3G and on AT&T and Verizon. Same Price, same battery and availaible in black and white. Samrt covers”

19:05 End video feat. Florance and the machine

19:11 “This will define the category for years to come”

19:12 “it’s in Apple’s DNA that technology is not enough. It’s tech married with liberal arts and the hummanities. Nowhere is that more true than on our post pc products”>

19:13 rounds of applause for the various teams involved in the product.

Well done Apple, a very exciting launch. Read our summary later this evening.