Apple announces iPad 2 launch

Steve Jobs may not have looked like his normal physically exuberant self, but his message sure carried a lot of excitement in energy. Apple announced that they would be releasing the much anticipated iPad 2.

As expected, the iPad 2 is thinner and faster than its predecessor. It comes equipped with two cameras , one specifically for taking photos and another for video chatting.

It will be similar to the original in that the battery life will be the same at about 10 hours of “on” time and a month on standby.
The sleek design of the iPad 2 is sure to be a hit. At approximately five millimetres thinner than the original iPad, Steve Jobs said of the iPad 2, “The new iPad 2 is actually thinner than your iPhone 4.”

The iPad 2 will cost just as much as the original iPad with variations for extra storage. The new and improved product comes with the latest operating system, iOS 4.3 with features such as faster Safari browsing, iTunes Home Sharing, improved AirPlay, the choice of using the iPad side switch to either lock the screen rotation or mute the audio; and the Personal Hotspot feature for sharing an iPhone 4 data connection over Wi-Fi.

The product is set to hit the stores in the US around March 11th and in the UK around March 25th.

Earlier this year, Steve Jobs had announced that he would be taking a medical leave of absence from overseeing day-to-day operations. Jobs had battled pancreatic cancer and survived a liver transplant in the past, and with his announcement, much speculation arose about the CEO’s current health. Tim Cook filled in for Jobs in his absence.

The launch of the iPad 2 is clearly an extremely important step for Apple, enough to make Jobs re-take the reins to present the company’s newest product.