Today in San Francisco Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, unveiled the official iPad 2; that is officially the name of the device.  The iPad 2 will go on sale in the U.S. March 11, in stores at 5:00pm local time, and online at midnight.  The pricing structure is similar to the old iPad, but this time around there is the option for a 3G service with at&t or Verizon.  Apple has made a number of improvements to the device since the original iPad, so we’ve drawn up a iPad 2 vs. iPad 1 comparison.

New Features

Let’s talk about what the iPad 2 has over it’s predecessor.  The first thing I noticed is that the device is smaller, yet the screen size is the same.  Apple has done this by giving the iPad 2 a smaller bezel in exchange for a 16% decrease in weight.  The device is also about 33% thinner than the original. For those people out there who are white iPhone fans, the iPad 2 is also available in white, or black –2 colors this time! Next is the CPU, the iPad 2 has an A5 Dual-core processor.  This is a huge improvement in computing power over the previous A4!  They’ve also improved the graphics processing unit, and between the two upgrades graphics should process up to 9x faster.  The best part is that the new chips are so power efficient that it despite the extra ability, the battery will still last 10 hours. The rear side of the iPad 2 has a built-in camera capable of recording 720p video at 30 frames per second.  While it isn’t the greatest camera, it is a huge step up from no camera at all.  The front side has a VGA quality camera that takes pretty horrible photos, but is designed specifically for use with Facetime and other web video chat programs; the rear camera makes up for it. The original iPad had an accelerometer, but it lacked an internal gyroscope.  Apple changed that for the iPad 2; they even threw a compass in, so you can use position based apps.   And, speaking of apps – Apple has included an updated PhotoBooth, and they’ve announced iLife for iOS (which means Garage Band and iMovie on the iPad 2) One of the best new features though, is the HDMI out via an adapter that sells for $39.  Apple brought in video mirroring, so whatever is displayed on your iPad screen will also be displayed on the TV or monitor you plug the iPad into.  The iPad 2 is capable playing back HD 1080p video.

Apple’s New Smart Cover

The iPad 2 has one of the grooviest covers I’ve ever seen.  It is a thin and durable and made out of 4 partitioned columns of magnetic strips that align perfectly to the face of the iPad 2.  When you close the cover it will automatically Sleep the iPad 2, and when you open the cover it automatically wakes it.  The cover is available in 10 colors; 5 in polyurethane ($39), and 5 that are leather ($69). Unfortunately, the cover is not automatically included when you purchase an iPad. Incase you’re wondering –the smart cover does not work with the iPad 1.

How does the iPad 2 compare to the iPad 1?

Below we’ve included a comparison chart that takes a look at the differences of the new and old iPads from a technical standpoint.  Overall, the iPad 2 is vastly better than it’s predecessor, but not as much as we hoped it would be.  (no Retina screen, among other things missing) The iPad 1 vs. iPad 2 comparison chart. (Click the image to enlarge it)

 

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

Photo: Jeremy Horwitz/iLounge.com

The iPad 2 will go on sale internationally March 25, 2011. Apple Store Link for the Smart Covers. Apple Store Link for the iPad 2. So, when you get your iPad 2, and you want to see what the rest of the world feels like, try taping 6 dollars worth of quarters to it and lug it around for awhile. I do think the covers are pretty cool. Magnets…. now that is innovation – first ppl to come up with that. that’s the difference between apple and android. apple invents, the others copy. perhaps that’s why i still buy name-brand drugs vs. generic. ;) Comment

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