The iPad 2 is here!!!!

After months of rumours and speculation, the iPad 2 is finally here!

In a keynote presentation today Steve Jobs uncovered the new "thinner, lighter, faster" iPad. This new redesigned iPad features dual cameras, a dual-core processor and a lighter and thinner form factor. The device will ship in two colors, black and white, from day one 

and will start at $499 just like the original iPad.

The dual core A5 processor will provide 9X times more powerful graphics and performance than the last one, while still maintaining an excellent 10 hours of battery life. This new processor will allow for applications like garage band, imovie and photobooth to run a smoothly on the device. It will also feature a gyro for improved motion sensing and orientation.

Unsurprisingly, it also features dual cameras. Front and back face time cameras. Photobooth  will also be included. The rear facing is an impressive HD 720p.

Also unveiled was the new "smart cover" for the iPad:

Smart magnetic technology built into each really pulls them together. The iPad Smart Cover falls perfectly into place and stays put to protect your iPad screen, yet doesn’t add bulk to its thin, light design. Open the Smart Cover and your iPad wakes up instantly. Close it and your iPad goes to sleep automatically. And here’s another smart part: It transforms into the perfect movie-watching, game-playing, web-surfing stand. It comes in 10 bright colors — including five in rich, aniline-dyed Italian leather. Choose your favorite, and your iPad will be smart all around.

It is a different shell to the first iPad. It has no hard edge around the edge and the edges are a curved. It is also 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter, so it will feel much comfortable to hold this time round. This screen is a "9.7-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology1024-by-768-pixel resolution"

I am extremely pleased that Apple has kept the price at USD$500. It is safe to say that I will be getting one of these when it finally comes to New Zealand (probably in about 3 months MARCH 25!) So most of my predictions were indeed true. Unfortunately there was no SD card slot or Retina display, but in general this is a big leap forward for both apple and tablets in general.

Here is the release video, worth a look: