It has been announced that iPad 2 is launching and Apple says 2011 is the year of the iPad 2. This basically squashes rumors that Apple was looking for a 6 month window between the iPad 2 and 3. Here is a breakdown of what Apple released on the iPad 2. It will be 33% thinner and 15% lighter than the first iPad. It will still have a 9.7 inch LED-backlit LCD screen and will have the new dual-core A5 processor for the fastest performance and graphics up to date. It also comes with two cameras! One in the front that will be able to utilize the FaceTime feature and Photo Booth. The rear facing camera can take 720p HD video, bringing the Facetime feature to iPad for the very first time. It also comes with up to 10 hours of battery life and it will be available in black or white this time around and they will be able to run on AT&T and Verizon 3G networks.
This iPad will have the iOS 4.3 which is right now the latest version of the most advanced mobile OS. Comes with a better Safari for mobile browsing, iTunes, enhancements to AirPlay, the choice to use the iPad side switch to either lock the screen rotation or mute audio and personal hotspot to share an iPhone 4 cell data connection over a Wi-Fi connection. Some more features are a built-in gyro for advanced gaming, HSUPA support for enhanced 3G uploading speeds on iPad2 Wi-Fi and 3G on AT&T. Also has HDMI Video Mirroring that lets users mirror their iPad on a HDTV using an optional adaptor.
Finally here is the pricing and availability of the iPad 2:
iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available on March 11 for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G compatible with the Verizon network will be available in the US only for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 will be sold in the US through the Apple Store.
This looks like iPad will once again set a strong standard on the mobile tablet world.