One of the most talked about tablets over the last year has been the Apple iPad. Originally announced back in January 2010, the first real mass-produced tablet hit the markets with impressively positive reviews from all the major media outlets.
On March 2, Apple announced the next major release, the iPad 2. The refreshed iPad is now thinner, faster and slightly lighter than the original. The iPad 2 is just 8.8mm thick, thinner than the iPhone 4. The new model also comes with an A5 1Ghz dual-core processor and weighs 1.3lbs.
The new iPad comes with a front and rear-facing camera, for FaceTime with another iPad, iPod touch 4G, iPhone 4 or a Mac. The rear-facing camera takes both photos and 720p video, running the latest iOS 4.3 firmware.
The iPad 2 comes with an identical screen size and resolution (1024px x 768px) as the original. The iPad 2 will debut in 12 different SKU models, including a 16GB, 32GB and 64GB model, with the option to choose between a Wi-Fi-only or 3G model, and will be available in both black and white.
Apple promises a 10-hour usage battery life on Wi-Fi, 9-hours on 3G, and upto one month on standby. The iPad 2 also comes with a three-axis gyro, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, GPS (3G model only), and 1080p mirror playback support when connected to an HDTV.
The iPad 2 is now available for online order and will be made available across the United States at 5:00 PM at the closest Apple store. The rest of the world will have to wait till March 25 to get their hands on the iPad 2.
For online or in-store purchasing, please visit www.apple.com/ipad for more information.
Don"t forget that the iPad 2 cases come in 10 different styles, which come with built-in magnets that enable you to wake up and put it to sleep, simply by opening and closing the case.