The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived – March 2, 2011. The unveiling of the iPad 2 was this morning in San Fransisco and now it’s time to hear if the predictions came true.
The new iPad 2 still has a 9.7-inch screen, but is 33 percent slimmer (thinner than the iPhone 4) and weighs 0.2 pounds less than the original.
With a slightly updated operating system, iOS 4.3, and an upgrade from Apple’s A4 CPU (currently used in the iPhone, iPad, and iTouch) to A5 CPU, the hand-held device has nine-times the graphic power and double the overall performance with a remaining ten-hour battery life. Users will be given the option to choose between AT&T and Verizon Wireless carriers.
The iPad 2 comes equipped with the hugely anticipated, front- and rear- facing cameras that will allow for FaceTime video calling. Photo Booth, a new app designed for the iPad, offers images to be capture in 720-pixel resolution. Apple will also offer an updated version of iMovie for video editing.
What we didn’t expect to see is that you can now enjoy your iPad 2 in either a black or white model. The price was expected to decrease, but the conference today confirmed that the starting price will remain at $499.
Now that you’ve just shelled out the money for the latest technology, you need to protect it. But don’t worry because Apple created a custom case that can be folded into a stand or magnetically attached to the display. A polyurethane version can be purchased for $39 and the leather case goes for $69. Removing the case wakes up the iPad and closing it instantly puts it to sleep.
Can’t wait to get your hands on the new iPad 2 and all of its improvements? Luckily, the wait is short as it goes on the market March 11, 2011.
Tags: A5 CPU, Apple iPad 2, FaceTime, iOS 4.3, iPad 2, Photo Booth app
