The connected home: now simpler than ever

Apple gave iPad owners a treat this week, just in time for Christmas: a “completely new” iPad. At least, that’s what Apple CEO Steve Jobs said the iPad’s updated operating system amounted to. Amid lots of changes - the ability to run more than one app at a time, new folders to make it easier to organise apps - were two big ones, named AirPlay and AirPrint. These two features, also available to iPhone and iPod touch owners, represent Apple’s latest step in the process of connecting our home and our gadgets.