Apple has finally announced the launch of iPad 2 that let users browse the web, read emails, view photos, watch movies and listen to music and do much more easily without the technical barriers that the normal laptop or desktop brings along.
IPad 2, which has undergone a substantial makeover, is 33 per cent thinner and lighter than original previous one. While the LED backlit screen LCD screen remains the same.
“With more than 15 million iPads sold, iPad has defined an entirely new category of mobile devices,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive officer.
“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.”
The Apple spokesperson in India expects the device to come to India very soon, and expressed the hope it will not take as much time to come to India compared to iPad.
IPad 2 sports dual core A5 Processor as well as two cameras, one front facing VGA camera for using FaceTime for video chat, and PhotoBooth for taking images. It also comes with 10 hours of battery life and is available in both black and white colours.
iPad 2 has been launched in six models depending on memory and WiFi plus 3G connectivity. iPad 2 with WiFi will be available for $499 (Rs 22,400) for 16GB model, $599 (Rs 27,000) for the 32GB model, $699 (Rs 31,500) for the 64GB model.
The 3G version of iPad 2 Wi-Fi will be available for $629 (Rs 28,000) for the 16GB model, $729 (Rs 33,000) for the 32GB model and $829 (Rs 37,000) for the 64GB model.
Apple has also launched the new version of operating system, iOS 4.3. The improved features include faster Safari browsing, and personal hotspot feature that allows users to share their Internet connection other devices.
The company also introduced two new apps iMovie and GarageBand. Users can use iMovie to shoot and edit movies on their iPads itself and post them to Facebook, YouTube and MobileMe gallery, whereas GarageBand makes iPad a recording studio in itself.