Posted on behalf of Phillip D. Eenigenburg

In order to really review the Seidio Active case for the iPad 2, I actually need to review it three different ways:

1. As a fully-enclosed and complete iPad-body shell: When fully covered using the Seidio case as a front-and-back cover when the iPad is not in use, the case is absolutely perfect. It puts about a half-inch of air space between the screen and the screen-side of the case and almost gives the whole thing a “Panasonic Toughbook” feel. It turns the normally sleek and sexy-looking iPad into looking like it could survive a 10-story freefall unharmed (Do not attempt, I’m just saying it makes the iPad look indestructible). The best part of this application of the case is the circle-window on the back for the Apple logo. Very cool.

2. As a hard case for the back and edges while iPad is in use: When you remove the front cover to actually use the iPad (which is why you have an iPad anyway), you will find that it can be a tedious couple of seconds trying to remove the front cover. It’s not that it’s difficult, but if it is to stay on properly when used as a fully-enclosed case, it can’t just fall off easily. Once you remove the front cover, you can either set it aside during handheld iPad use, or you can snap it onto the outside of the back cover. That’s what I prefer. It snaps easily onto the back cover and gives you even more grippable surface on the perimeter of the iPad, which is clutch for a guy like me with huge hands.

3. The third way to use this case is to utilize the removed front cover as a desk or tabletop stand for the iPad and back cover. The inside of the front cover contains a flip-out stand that gives you a surface to lean your iPad anywhere from almost-flat to almost-upright. It will hold up the iPad in either landscape or portrait format, whichever you need. The flip-out stand is a little tricky to pop in and out of its storage position, but I imagine it gets easier with use.

Thank you Seidio for giving us the opportunity to review this case for our readers!

Apple recently updated iMovie, which was for the iPhone and iPod originally, to a universal application. Now it will support the iPad2 and also brings new themes and HD sharing directly to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and CCN iReport. If you aren’t sure what iMovie is, it’s a movie editing application that is part of the iLife suite of digital lifestyle applications that allows Apple Macintosh users to create movies from several different sources including digital video cameras, DV-encoded files and pictures.

iMovie works effortlessly with other Apple applications including QuickTime, iDVD, iPhoto, iWeb, iTunes and with other Mac OS X applications. Below are several other features and benefits you can expect with this application.

• Universal app designed for iPad 2, iPhone 4, and iPod touch (4th generation).
• Multi-Touch Precision Editor (iPad only).
• Multitrack audio editing with 8 themed soundtracks and over 50 bundled sound effects.
• Audio recording directly into the timeline.
• Audio waveforms (iPad only).
• Three new themes — Neon, Simple, and CNN iReport.
• HD sharing directly to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and CNN iReport.
• AirPlay support for sharing to Apple TV (compatible only with second-generation Apple TV; requires iOS 4.3 or later).
• Project transfer to your computer and compatible iOS devices through iTunes.
• Ability to add titles on photos.
• Option to add fade-in from black and fade-out to black.
• Numerous enhancements, including trimming in Video Browser, in-use markers, video rotation, and more.

If you have already used this application let us know what you think. If not, and you plan on doing so we want to know the results. Several say this is one fantastic application for video editing. What do you think?

Download it here for $4.99

Source: Iphoneblog

Speculations make it seem like Apple will definitely be rolling out a second-generation iPad next April. This will only be a year after the original iPad launch. When the Wall Street Journal mentions something is going to happen, most of the time they are correct.

Many consumers have been speculating the form factor and features of the “rumored” iPad 2. We’ve seen everything from people saying it will have a thinner form factor to people thinking it will have a higher-resolution display. According to Brian Marshall, of Gleacher & Company where you can find executive management and the latest company developments, he says the second iPad will be essentially be the same as the first with one exception, “It will be the same form factor, but with dual-camera functionality.” He also mentioned that we should expect the same storage size’s that are in the first generation iPad to be in the second as well: 16GB, 32GB and 64GB.

Do you suspect this may be true as well? With the iPad being about a year old it seems like it’s reasonable at least. What do you think? If you currently own the first iPad would this persuade you to go buy the iPad 2? I feel like there may be more changes than what’s being mentioned. Do you? All we can do for now is wait for more news!

Source: Computerworld & WSJ