iPad 2 – A5 Chip, Smart Cover, Cameras [Specs, Pricing, Accessories, Video]

Finally, Apple has announced the most awaited second generation iPad – iPad 2 at the “Come see What 2011 will be Year off” press event.

The iPad 2 features a 1GHz dual-core A5 chip for fast performance, 9.7 inch touch screen, front facing camera for FaceTime and 720p HD rear camera, enlarged grille speaker at the back and PhotoBooth. Here is the full specification of iPad 2.

Display

• 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
• 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)

Dual Core A5 Chip:

According to Apple, the new 1GHz dual-core A5 chip is two times faster than the original iPad. It also includes a faster GPU, which improves graphic performance by up to 9 times.

Size and Weight:

iPad 2 is 33% thinner – 0.34 inch (8.8 mm), 15% lighter at 1.33 pounds (601 g) than the original iPad.

Cameras:

iPad 2 gets two cameras – one front facing VGA camera for FaceTime and a rear camera, which can captures 720p HD video and can also do a 5x digital zoom .

Colors:

iPad 2 will be available in two colors. White and Black. Steve Jobs reassured the audience that white iPad 2 will start shipping on the same day as the black one unlike the white iPhone 4, which has been delayed until Spring.

Smart Cover:

Apple also unveiled a new special cover for iPad 2 and it was defined by Steve Jobs himself: “We designed the case right along side the product. It’s not a case — it’s a cover.” The case is a magnetic flap that protects the front and automatically wakes and sleep the device according to whether it’s open or closed, and has a soft microfiber lining to help keep the screen clean. The Smart Cover case will cost $39 in polyurethane or $69 in leather in a range of colors.

Sensors

• Three-axis gyro like in the iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4G
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light sensor

iPad 2 Accessories

HDMI is out: Provides output up to 1080p. Works with all apps and is available for $39 only. It even charges your device while the cable is plugged.

iPad 2 will come pre-installed with iOS 4.3, which was also previewed today. It requires iTunes 10.2, which has just been released. Apple has unveiled a new iPad 2 dock, and  also released two new apps for iPad: iMovie for iPad and GarageBand for iPad.

Pricing:

iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available for $499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32GB model, $699 for the 64GB model.

iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model.

Availability:

iPad 2 will available in the US on March 11th and on March 25th in other countries.It will support both GSM and CDMA and will work with both AT&T and Verizon.

Check out the official video of iPad 2.

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