Over the years since the launch of the iPhone and the iPad a whole ecosystem of cute little cases and stickers has sprung up to cover the svelte outlines of the Apple gadgets. Whether the case are to protect the devices, customise them or - in the case of the iPhone 4 - improve the antennae reception, Apple has always encouraged cases.

But last night at the launch of the iPad 2 Steve Jobs spent a good five minutes telling us about a new own-brand Apple-made cover for the iPad 2: the Smart Cover. It has magnets. In fact it does lots of fancy stuff:

With its magnets the Smart Cover automatically grips the iPad and wakes it up when you open it. A microfilm on the inside cleans the screen when you cover it up, it pulls off easily and can fold back behind it to make a little triangular stand, using the magnetic side clips as a kind of hinge. It comes in 5 colours, and is available in either leather ($69) or polyurethane ($29).

Apple has made its own iPhone and iPad cases before which it sells through the Apple Store (usually for a tidy sum), but that hasn't put other companies off making different ones.

This time round though the Apple Smart Cover has a huge advantage in that it got about five minutes advertising time on one of the most watched tech broadcasts of the year.

Still - I think the market will continue strong - if Apple really intend to sell 30 million of these things, then there will be people who will want something a bit different to customise their iPad. And not just in a different colour. For starters there is some functionality missing from the Smart Cover - it's a cover not a case... so while it will protect the screen from scratches, it won't protect the edges if you drop the thing. Some people will want to put something a bit more rugged between their iPad and the world.

There will also be people who don't want to pay $29 for some plastic, however clicky and magnetic it is. So cheaper

And hey people like to personalise - I'm sure we'll see fashion and designer cases enjoying healthy sales as people give their device a more personal stamp.

The Smart Cover is either $29 or $69 on Apple

The new iMovie app for iPad looks goddamn sweet, and sure we fell for that other pretty own-brand Apple app - Garage Band - which lets you play beautiful music on a mocked up keyboard or drum set. But there wasn't any hard-hitting software announcements at the Apple launch yesterday with iOS 4.3. It's a update of nice tweaks.

Key features of iOS 4.3
- Optimised version of Safari, promises speedier browsing
- Wireless synching with other iOS4.3 devices nearby through iTunes Home (if your iPhone and your iPad are both connected to the same wifi network this will work and you will be able to synch and send media around between them)
- Personal Hotspot will finally let iPad and iPhone users share their 3G connection with gadgets nearby them.
- The ability to rotation lock the screen when you want to turn over the iPad
- Airplay has been improved - that allows you to send music over a wifi connection to speakers and in the new version will allow sharing media between apps - sending pictures from one app to another, for example.

The apps out are beautiful.

Beautiful toys though - the Garage Band app (out 11th March) mimics a guitar and a drum set. The "realism and expression" of the interface are incredible said the music VP demoing it. We believed him, it really sounded beautiful, and the screen was capable of distinguishing the weight of your touch. You could edit music, overlay tracks over each
other and basically create pop hits from just your iPad. Fire the rest of the band now. S4.99.

iMovie for iPad, was also seductive - this time for the visuals, the iPad is a natural screen for video editing - very intuitive, big and bright and in time for this launch Apple have packed in a whole load of extra features - most notably the ability to edit audio tracks.

Facebooth - a fun video effects tool for webcams - familiar to Mac Users will be on the new OS4.3 too as will support for FaceTime, the video chat function..

iOS4.3 will be out on 11th March, along with iMovie for iPad 2 and GarageBand, both $4.99

See some photos of the screen and apps below:

The iPad 2 has launched! And with it news of a 1.2 GHz dual core processor, dual-cameras, a new thinner, lighter design and white and black casings.

Smart Covers that magnetically link to the iPad and protect the screen, as well as new iPad apps including FaceTime, Garageband and iMovie were also revealed.

We'll have an in-depth run down of the entire showcase soon, but here's what you're really after - pictures! Dig in!

It's 33% slimmer than the iPad 1 and even in a quick video you can tell the difference. The other big update: front and rear cameras. See our surreal FaceTime video below for a glimpse of the video-chatting wonders it is capable of...

iPad 2 vs iPad 1 - a quick look at the sizing

FaceTime on iPad 2

We caught a quick few secs with the white iPad. It's a cutie.... just like Mike Butcher who (we think) is the guy demo-ing it.

Steve was aaall about the magnetic case and here it is - in all it's glory. Well the video is a bit shaky, but the big deal is that the case clips on to the iPad with magnets, cleans it, and will automatically switch the screen back on when you lift the edge up.

We grabbed an iPad at the launch in London today and made a German journalist demo it for us.
Check out - how slim it is, the cameras and the Facetime app.

Where the camera shakes it's not wonder... it's just some European jogging my elbow..

See our 10 things You Need to Know write-up for more details.

Steve Jobs getting back on the stage was the biggest surprise for me, but I did like it. And just because some of these changes were expected.. doesn't mean they weren't sweet.. However, just writing them up I was surprised how many of them are quite superficial - a case- really? ANYWAY to the guts of it...

1) It's thinner
YES I know - we were all expecting that. But it's lovely

2) It has rear and front-facing cameras
Yes. Finally. As one of the Apple presenters says - that makes it really good for Facetime - no shit. It does look great for Facetime.

3) It now comes in white
Looks nice. And white devices will be available, from launch, in stores everywhere.

4) Launch US: 11 March; UK& Europe, Australia: 25 March
No waiting for months like we did last time - the iPad will be in the UK on 25 March, 3 weeks after launch.

5) The Price will be the same
Pricing is identical - 425GBP for the cheapest wifi-only model, up to 799GBP for the 64gb +3G model.

6) Battery life is still 10 hours
Despite slivering the thickness of the device, the battery is still as good and lasts up to 10 hours. Steve said that blew his mind. But then lots of things seemed to blow his mind. It is good.

7) You can buy a sweet magnetic blanket for it
Apple, for some reason, have spent a lot of time developing a nice case for this iPad. Jobs said: "it's not a case, it's a cover, and it's not just a cover, it's a smart cover."

8) There's a HDMI out port accessory
For people who want to stream their iPad screen to their TVS - they now can. They just need to shell out $39 for the little white cable. App

9) Launching with iOS4.3
More on the software updates later, suffice to say - cute new apps, Photobooth and new video editing software to support the cameras.

10) Faster 1.2Ghz Processor
The new dual-core A5 chip means processing power is double the speed and a new graphics card makes the graphics 9x faster - that's big for games. The A5 is 1.2Ghz, bumped up from iPad 1's 1Ghz.

What we didn't get in the iPad 3
- no retina display
- no 3D tricks
- no price drop

The specs features and pricing of the new iPad2 have just been leaked on Amazon Germany - hours ahead of the official launch by Tim Cook in San Francisco. The page sat up on Amazon Germany for several hours before disappearing completely- the Google cache has even been deleted. It's an unsual PR blip for Apple and seems to be the fault of Amazon Germany.

The deal with iPad 2? If the site is correct there's a camera, bluetooth, but no wifi-only versions meaning that all devices will come with 3G. According to tech website, yourdailyapple, the device will come with a 9.7-inch screen, a 1.2GHz processor and a Thunderbolt interface.

It will cost 499 euros - translating as 424GBP - exactly the same as the old one. Just with 3G packed in - well worth it.

And it's out on the 17th March in Germany and we guess the UK too..

Better deal? Yep - definitely a step from the old Pad and we can expect a host of deals from network providers to make this more affordable than the last one.

Tech Digest and Shiny Shiny will be live from Apple's glitzy media event at BBC Television Centre this evening, where all the latest announcements straight out of Cupertino will be beamed to a ravenous gang of tech journos.

Safe money is on a new tablet being launched in the shape of the iPad 2, but there's also the long standing rumours of an Apple cloud music service and inveitable software updates too.

You can join us there by following our live blog of the event below! Feel free to chime in with comments and opinions in the box below, which we'll be updating from around 5.45 pm GMT.

It's launching later today, we have this hunch it's going to be a flat tablet device with a capacitive touchscreen and some apps - but beyond that who knows what will turn up in iPad 2? If you had a wishlist - what would you put in the wonder pad Shiny reader?

Apple are constrained by a bunch of things - price, the fact they want everything to fit into a 0.5 inch (13.4 mm) thick device, the fact that they like to hold key features back so that you have to buy the update. The fact that the corners have to be rounded and so on..

You're not. What features would you like to see on the iPad 2 - click as many options as you like..

We're all in favour of customised iPad cases, that's the sort thing we live and breathe over here - but these ones by Three left us feeling just a little bit queasy.

They've chosen three celeb iPad users in the UK and done personalised iPad cases in homage to them, namely: Stephen Fry, Chris Evans and the Loose Women panel. It's all to promote their iPad contract.

We think the Three contract for iPad is a great idea (£199 for the Pad and then £25 a month, more here) but as a marketing strategy this leaves us all retchy, you might as well write "hi famous person, please love us and promote our deal" on the front of the case and just leave it at that.

Just sayin'.

We leave you to make your own judgements. This what they have to say about these things:

The case designs take inspiration from the personalities and careers of their subjects:

· Stephen Fry's love of academia has been captured in a rustic, old fashioned book, complete with the leather inside cover engraved with shapes representing his most famous work. An intriguing juxtaposition to the modern technology hidden within

· Five Loose Women presenters - Kate Thornton, Sherrie Hewson, Andrea McLean, Coleen Nolan and Carol McGiffin - are portrayed in their usual position, behind a coffee table, mug of tea in hand, debating the issues of the day

· Chris Evan's career has been depicted in four life stages representing his stints on TV and Radio for The One Show, Big Breakfast and BBC Radio 2.

NOOOOOOO.

Related: What if Kerry Katona made an iPhone app?

The iPad 2 will be released on the 2nd March in San Francisco according to an announcement from Apple today.

Tim Cook, chief operating officer of Apple, will take the place of Steve Jobs who is off recovering from liver illness.

Related:
#CES: mock-up iPad 2 gets techies frothing
Tim Cook - the man taking over Apple from Steve Jobs

Ever felt that the iPad was missing a certain something? One of those.. oh yes, keyboards? Obviously Steve Jobs left it out on purpose when he designed the Apple tablet, but some uses still hanker after the keyboard functionality. Well you can have it.

The iBluek Bluetooth keyboard works with iPad and all fits together in one smooth leather case. They say: "slip your iPad into the iBluek to create one lush and seamless unit."

The facts:
A super-thin keyboard (just 0.2" thick), powered by an internal lithium-ion battery, the iBluek boasts over 3 months' standby time and almost 1 full day of continuous usage.
You can remove the keyboard and just use the case or even link the keyboard to your iPhone via a USB cable, if you want some help texting.

The iBluek is £99 available from O2 and Sainsbury's stores across the UK

According to a tweet picked up by TNW, BBC iPlayer will finally get an iPad edition on Thursday.

This will bring really lush premium content to a lovely screen. Of course, it's a minority of Brits that have iPads but we're likely to see a spike in adoption when the new one comes out at the end of Feb.

This is another reason to get it.

Looks like the video will only work on a WiFi connection. And we think this will only apply to UK users..

Related: BBC iPlayer - the big changes: Facebook, chat and cross-channel partnerships

You may still not be convinced that you need an iPad, but in one industry at least it has become the standard. And for one of its simplest functions...

A professional photographer friend told me that it's now industry standard to present your portfolio to editors or clients on an iPad. Essentially using it as a particularly expensive digital photo frame.

I asked why you had to use an iPad when presenting a slide-show on a laptop or a simple digital photo frame would do exactly the same job - but in an industry that's all about looks and presentation, pulling out your laptop just doesn't cut it...

"Photo frames or laptops just don't look as professional and aren't as user-friendly." she said. "Also, the iPad is becoming the industry standard. You just want to look the best you can, that would look a little amateur..."

We guess the situation is similar for graphic designers and other people who work with visuals.

At about £425 minimum, it's another financial barrier to entry for someone trying to break into the industry. But my friend says that compared to printing out high quality pictures it can actually be cheap...

A little Hammertime can be the perfect addition to a dancefloor when the clock has well gone midnight and you really should be saying no to that next drink. The iPad is not the first connection to pop into your head when hearing the name MC Hammer, but this is the medium with which the retro-fabulous rapper has chosen to release his new single.

Using newsreader app Flipboard, the single 'See Her Face' will be available to iPad owners, who may or may not want to don some wide-legged Hammer trousers for the listening experience.

While it may seem like an odd mix, the initiative is part of an ongoing project from Flipboard to bring content owners and publishers on board as partners, instead of only treating them as content producers. Mr Hammer is already a keen presence on Twitter, and the 1980s star now seems to be fully embracing the social media revolution.

Cancel out any cool kudos that iPad brings you by casing it in this little piece of geek-gear that affixes it to your stomach.

In many ways this kangaroo style front cradle looks kind of useful. Convenient and safe, it lets you operate your iPad with just one hand. And you could sort of cuddle your iPad a bit - if you want to.

But brushing aside the practical advantages of the Assero Defender case, we come to the cruel bare heart of the matter - it will make you look like a dork with a weird sort of bib. Or a terrorist - because let's face it, people don't usually strap things to their chests in normal society.

The Assero Defender costs $130 and is available in a smaller version too - the $90 Protector: both strap to the front of your body and include a number of straps and pockets

If you have an iPad and a toddler, you may have experienced toddler home-button-pushing phenomenon. Apparently kids really like pushing pushing it, which has the unfortunate effect, of course, of x-ing you out of whatever application you happen to be in.

iPads can be really fun for kids, with some games and apps aimed specially at them, but the random

I can't speak from personal experience on this one, but Rob Mitchell of Paperclip Robot can, and he has invented a solution for it - the BubCap. A little like one of those safety caps for medicine bottles - just for Apple devices.

He explains:

"Patent-pending BubCap home button covers are flexible enough that adults can press the home button, but just rigid enough that younger children can't. Install a BubCap and forget about it; now your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is much more kid-friendly, yet it doesn't have to be removed for adults to use the device."

Sure, it's not the the most beautiful addition to the iPad, but it does sound cheap and practical.

It won't stop your child dropping it in the bath however, sometimes we all have to learn lessons the hard way.

BubCaps come in 4-packs, which are available for $5 at BubCap.com

With the increased number of iPad apps aimed at musicians it is no surprise that Alesis hsd brought out The StudioDock. This awesome piece of kit is the first device that enables anyone with an iPad to create, produce and even perform music, with virtually any pro audio gear or instruments. The StudioDock is basically a universal docking station designed for the iPad, that gives musicians, recording engineers, and music producers the connectivity they need to create and perform with iPad.
Awesome!

This iPad dock is certainly one of the more unusual ones we have come across. The Ion Audio Concert Piano is an 88-key marvel that doubles as an iPad doc. A full-size digital piano with a "classic wood-grain exterior," might not be every ones thing, but personally I cant think of a better way to show off your iPad.
Unfortunately there is no pricing info available yet, so we are going to just assume its out of our price range.