GarageBand updated with collaborative jam sessions

GarageBand got an honorable mention at today's iPad 3 new iPad event, along with a few new features. There are now orchestral string instruments (along with existing drums, keyboards, and guitars), a note editor to tweak your performance in post-production, iCloud integration to access your creations elsewhere, and new sharing options to get them out to your friends. The biggest addition is jam sessions, which allow up to 4 iOS devices to collaborate on the same piece over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

GarageBand launched alongside the iPad 2 last year, so it's only fitting to be getting a big update with the new iPad announcement. While I don't expect that I'll be throwing any GarageBand parties with all of my hip young iPad-toting friends, it's a neat addition for a generation that's spent a healthy amount of time playing Rock Band with their buddies. Do you guys think you'd end up doing any GarageBand jam sessions? Is GarageBand even an app that you spend a considerable amount of time with?

If you don't have it already, but are interested in giving it a shot, you can download it from the iTunes App Store here for $4.99, or can learn more (along with Jam Session video demo) over at Apple's GarageBand minisite.

Simon Sage

Editor-at-very-large at Mobile Nations, gamer, giant.