Videos show new iPad-optimized apps

Apple on Monday posted a range of Guided Tours covering various iPad functions. Most of the videos demonstrate basic utilities for the iPhone and iPod touch, such as Safari and Mail, that have been optimized for the larger display. Viewers can also preview the new iPad-specific offerings including iBooks and iWork apps.

The iBooks Guided Tour shows automatic transition from single-page to side-by-side layout as the device is turned from portrait to landscape orientation. The company's iBookstore portal appears to maintain the same basic organization as iTunes.

The Keynote, Pages and Numbers demos provide a closer look at how multi-touch gestures replace traditional input methods utilized in the desktop variants. Many of the editing and creation functions rely on finger taps and dragging, helping to minimize the need for navigating through menus.

All of the new Guided Tours are available on Apple's iPad site.

by MacNN Staff