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The iPad 2 will be released across North America on March 11 and in Europe on March 25, Apple has announced.
iPad 2 features a new design that is 33 per cent thinner and up to 15 per cent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen.
At the heart of the updated tablet is Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor, offering faster performance and improved graphics. The new model also features two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime and Photo Booth, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video.
Users will get up to 10 hours of battery life.
Black and white models will be available, but users will be able to add a slice of colour with the new range of Smart Covers.
“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.”
iPad 2 comes with iOS 4.3, the latest version of Apple’s 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, and HDMI Video Mirroring that lets users mirror their iPad screen on an HDTV using an optional adaptor.
IPad 2 will be available on March 11 in the US for a suggested retail price of $499 to $829. The UK launch is set for March 25, the same day as the Nintendo 3DS.
The new dual-core processor and 720p capable camera sound like great additions to what was already a great tablet system. Video Mirroring also has the potential to open up new possibilities for iPad gaming.
For those looking for a cheaper model, Apple has slashed £100 off the price of the first iPad, making the 16GB WiFi version £329.
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