Apple added video playback powers to its handheld devices in 2005, when it introduced the first video iPod. Over the past six years, the screens on Apple’s gadgets have gradually increased in size, from 2.5 inches on that ground-breaking ‘Pod to 9.7 inches on the iPad’s majestic, high-resolution, backlit display. The tablet is perfect for immersing yourself in a movie—or for watching it inflight while crammed into a knee-knocking coach seat.

And now, with an iPad 2 and iOS 5, you can enjoy high-definition videos in the top-quality 1080p resolution right on your tablet.

You find video for your iPad in all sorts of places. You can buy, rent, or stream movies, TV shows, music videos, and video podcasts from iTunes; download video-streaming apps from the App Store; watch website streams via Safari; launch the iPad’s built-in YouTube app; or even shoot a clip or two yourself with the iPad 2’s camera (the YouTube app and camera are discussed back in Chapter 6).