Apple just officially unveiled the iPad 2. Yeah, shocking news right there. But don’t get us wrong. Despite all the previous leaks and rumors that kind of spoiled the surprise, followed by the disclaimer made yesterday by an Apple staffer that the “2″ might not blow us away, we were still pretty impressed. It’s hard not to be with the improvements on this one, considering that the original iPad is still pretty awesome a year after it was first released. What’s new on this one? A number of things, including a faster dual core 1GHz A5 processor that’s listed to deliver double the A4’s performance, up to 9x faster graphics, and the same low-power draw. That’s a pretty significant spec bump, especially when you factor in the slimmer, lighter body that the new iPad’s bigger brain comes in.
The new frame looks as good as anticipated from previous leaks, but if you want the details, here it is: the new iPad measures only 8.8mm, which is 33% thinner than the original iPad at 13.4mm. To keep it in perspective, this thing is even thinner than the 9.3mm-thin iPhone 4. The reduction also makes it lighter than the original, trimming that one’s weight from 1.5 pounds down to 1.3 pounds.
The screen is still the same 9.7-inch LED-backlit multi-touch IPS display with a 1024 x 768 resolution, but made slimmer to fit in the sexier frame. They also found space to fit a gyroscope in here for motion-sensitive functions. As expected, it also comes with dual FaceTime cameras too, with a front VGA cam and a rear main cam with a 5x digital zoom that can do 720p recording at 30fps. Despite the new improvements, they’ve also managed to keep the battery life at 10 hours, with over a month of standby. Now, it’s not like you’d actually keep an iPad on standby for a month, so that last bit is something we probably won’t be testing out. We’re just going to have to take Jobs’ word for it on that one.
The iPad 2 also comes with a new ‘Smart Cover’ accessory which, like the name (and what Jobs) says, is not a protective case so you don’t spoil the new iPad’s good looks. It’s basically a slim magnetic flap that folds four ways (for turning it into a stand) and a hinge that easily attaches and detaches from the tablet. What makes for the ‘smart’ part? It works with the sensors on the tablet, instantly turning off the iPad 2 when you close it and wake it up when you open the flap. The Smart Cover will be available in a number of colors and two materials. The polyurethane Smart Cover will cost $39, while a plusher leather version will sell for $69.
An Apple Digital AV Adapter accessory will also be sold for $39, giving it the ability to plug into an HD display and output a mirror of the screen to your living room (or office, or wherever you might need an HD display).
It’s due out on March 11 (March 11!) for basically the same price as the original, with the 16GB Wi-fi version starting at $499 to make it more awesome, with both AT&T and Verizon versions for the 3G version. It’ll also be available in two colors, with a new white version that’ll be thankfully available “from day one.” Also due out on the 11th is version 4.3 of iOS, which takes advantage of the iPad 2’s improved specs. New for OS 4.3: better Safari performance, Photo Booth, a Personal Hotspot feature for sharing a connection with an iPhone 4, and, of course, FaceTime. It’ll also run Apple’s new iOS versions of iMovie and GarageBand, but you’re going to have to pay $4.99 for each (awesome deals on both, by the way). And while we’re talking about good deals, here’s another: yesterday’s iPad just got cheaper. Apple cut $100 off the original iPad’s price to make way for this one.
Here’s the intro video for the iPad 2:
Excelsior! Can’t wait for March 11.
The Smart Cover in action:
Official Press Release:
Apple Launches iPad 2
All New Design is Thinner, Lighter & Faster with FaceTime, Smart Covers & 10 Hour Battery
SAN FRANCISCO-March 2, 2011-Apple® today introduced iPad™ 2, the next generation of its magical device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and much more. iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime® and Photo Booth®, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life* that users have come to expect. iPad 2 is available in black or white, features models that run on AT&T’s and Verizon’s 3G networks, and introduces the innovative iPad 2 Smart Cover in a range of vibrant polyurethane and rich leather colors.
“With more than 15 million iPads sold, iPad has defined an entirely new category of mobile devices,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “While others have been scrambling to copy the first generation iPad, we’re launching iPad 2, which moves the bar far ahead of the competition and will likely cause them to go back to the drawing boards yet again.”
With the new front and rear cameras, iPad 2 users can now make FaceTime calls to millions of iPhone® 4, iPod touch® and Mac® users so they can see family and friends anywhere there is Wi-Fi. Photo Booth lets you apply fun visual effects, including eight photo special effects like Squeeze, Twirl and Kaleidoscope, to photos captured by either camera.
iPad 2 comes with iOS 4.3, the latest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, with new features including faster Safari® mobile browsing performance; iTunes® Home Sharing; 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 cellular data connection over Wi-Fi.*** Additional iPad 2 features include a built-in gyro for advanced gaming; HSUPA support for enhanced 3G upload speeds on iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G on AT&T, and HDMI Video Mirroring that lets users mirror their iPad screen on an HDTV using an optional adaptor.
The innovative new iPad 2 Smart Cover provides protection for the iPad screen while maintaining its thin and lightweight profile. Designed with a unique self-aligning magnetic hinge that makes it easy to attach and remove, the new iPad 2 Smart Cover automatically wakes iPad 2 when it’s opened and puts it to sleep when it’s closed, and has a soft microfiber lining to help keep the screen clean. The Smart Cover also folds into a stand for typing or viewing videos and is available in vibrant polyurethane for $39 or rich leather for $69 in a range of colors, including a (PRODUCT) RED one which helps support the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Apple also introduced two new apps: iMovie® and GarageBand® for iPad, both available on the App Store℠ for just $4.99 each. With iMovie, iPad 2 users can shoot and edit videos right on their iPad and post their movies to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and their MobileMe℠ gallery; watch them on their iPod®, iPhone or iPad; as well as view them on their HDTV using AirPlay and Apple TV®. GarageBand turns your iPad into a collection of touch instruments and 8-track recording studio, allowing you to perform with onscreen keyboards, guitars, drums and basses using multi-touch gestures–even if you don’t play a musical instrument.
iPad 2 runs almost all of the over 350,000 apps available on the App Store and there are more than 65,000 native iPad apps available from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. The iTunes Store gives iPad users access to the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 14 million songs, over 50,000 TV episodes and over 10,000 films including over 3,500 in stunning high definition video. The iBooks® app for iPad includes Apple’s iBookstore℠, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device.
Pricing & Availability
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® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iMovie and GarageBand for iPad apps will be available on March 11 for $4.99 each from the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore.iPad 2 will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on March 25; and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.
*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.
**AirPlay video requires second generation Apple TV running the latest software.
***Personal Hotspot requires supporting data plan. Customers should check with their carrier for availability.
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.
