iPad 3 event (meta) liveblog

Yes! Finally all those annoying rumours will soon be over. The iPad 3 (or is it the iPad HD?) will finally be revealed to the world in San Francisco later today.

Could the rumours about it being made from mythril and create a telepathic link with its owner be true? Or maybe it's going to be just a bit faster and nicer-looking?

(Refresh page)

19:26: So that's it for the iPad... new. Thanks for tuning in. I'll see you all next year for the unveiling of the equally anticipated "iPad Newer". Goodnight, San Francisco!

19:25: Apple has thanked everyone and left. We know that it's newer, faster, and prettier, but we have no idea what to call it. Twitter is angry. 19:24: Still no advance on "the new iPad". I NEED LABELS, DAMMIT! 19:21: We're back again. The 16GB wi-fi iPad 2 has been reduced to $399. In fact, every model is getting a $100 price drop. 19:18: It's all gone quiet. No name announcement yet. If there is none forthcoming, I may fall back on "The Touchytron 4000: Grope Edition." 19:16: Journos are suggesting that the iPhoto Journal is competing with the Facebook timeline. I can't confirm or deny this, but have decided it's definitely true. 19:15: "Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't create on an iPad." 'Kay.

19:12: "Journal" feature shows highlighted images and lets you add captions. Also notes, calendar and geotagging. Apparently, a picture is not worth 1,000 words.

19:10: Some effects, too. "Vintage" and "Artistic" have been mentioned. I don't know what these things mean. 19:09: So. Many. Brushes. 19:06: Lots of editing features being demoed: cropping, rotation, panning etc. Start practising your jazz hands, 'cause your fingers are going to get a workout. 19:04: The software supports up to 19-megapixel images. What your eyes support, only your ophthalmologist knows. 19:02: It's iPhoto time. "Photo Beaming" allows you to send images wirelessly. With beams. 19:00: iMovie info now. Record in 1080p, storyboard, edit, and playback on the same device. As I'm only planning on getting the one iPad 3, this is welcome news. 18:57: A Garage Band video is playing. While that's happening, let's imagine how cringe-worthy it is. Do it. 18:56: Updates for iMovie, iLife, and Garage Band. Prepare to get creative. 18:53: It's coming "soon". So coy, Epic. 18:52: Epic is in the house. Infinity Blade Dungeons is coming, people. Mark it on your wish lists. 18:50: We're onto Autodesk. Sketchbook Ink is looking handsome, too. 18:49: A game called Skygambler: Air Supremacy has been demoed. It ain't ugly. 18:47: You'll be able to get your hands on the iPad 3 on March 16th, by the way. 18:46: Namco has appeared. Games are happening! I like games! 18:45: It's available for pre-order now. I'll be back in 5 (kidding). 18:43: Time for the figures: $499 = 16GB, $599 = 32GB, $699 = 64GB. I hope you weren't planning on eating this month. 18:40: There will be two different version in the US. One for AT&T, one for Verizon. Personal hotspots supported. 18: 38: We're back! 4G LTE wireless. HSPA+ with 21Mbps max downlink. LTE with 73 Mbps max download.

18:37: Voice dictation has been added. It's good to talk (to your digital equipment).

18:36: Feeds dying left and right. Skynet is vexed that Apple is stealing the limelight. 18:33: You can record 1080p video. The dog remains unimpressed. 18:30: There's a large picture of a collie dog on the screen. It appears indifferent to these impressive statistics. Perk up, boy! 18:29: There's a 5-megapixel rear camera, too. 18:28: It has A5X quad-core graphics. Those are big numbers. 18:26: The iPad 3 has a 2048 x 1536 display, people. It's official. Your iPad 2 is now rubbish. 18:23: Now he's dissing the Android Twitter app, as shown on a Samsung tablet. Looks like a blown-up smartphone app, apparently. Burn. 18:21: More buffering. I think there might be one or two people watching these streams. 18:20: He's telling us how much we love the iPad. How much, Tim? 18:19: Tim has returned to talk iPads. 15.4 million sold in the last quarter. 18:16: Now San Francisco is looking at a buffer screen. We're all the same, when it comes down to it... 18:15: He's talking about the new Apple TV, complete with TV oriented iOS. 1080p, iCloud integration. Pretty pictures are appearing to back up his claims. 18:14: Eddie Cue has appeared, right on... time. 18:11: iOS 5.1 is available from today, by the way. 18:10: Siri is coming to Japan as part of iOS 5.1. 18:08: Now Tim's talking about Siri. The audience is hearing what the French and German versions sound like. Lots of polite smiling, I'd imagine. 18:06: The crowd goes wild. My buffer keeps spinning. 18:04: Everyone in the auditorium is being treated to a video about Apple stores worldwide. I am watching a buffer symbol spin. 18:03: 172 million of these device sold in 2011. Yowzers. 18:01: Apple's 3 post PC devices (iPod, iPhone, iPad) account for 76% of revenues. 18:00: He says the PC is no longer the centre of our digital world. He would, of course. 17:59: Tim Cook, ladies and gentlemen! 17:57: Pictures are showing a lot of blue and purple lighting. I understand Aphex Twin is headlining. 17:54: They've got The Strokes on the PA, apparently. Bournemouth 1, San Francisco 0. 17:51: Music is playing. No idea what they're playing in San Francisco, but I've got 'Highway to the Danger Zone' blaring out of my computer speakers. Just trying to set the tone. 17:48: So here we go. The reporters are filing into the Yerba Buena Theatre. Not me, of course. I'm in Bournemouth. At a desk. On my own.