Steve Jobs Announces iPad 2 - Specs, Photos

iPad 2 Announcement: Steve Jobs Returns to Stage to Show Off iPad 2

March 2 iPad 2 event unfolded as predicted, but with the added surprise of an appearance by Steve Jobs. Jobs unveiled the iPad 2, which is (wait for it) faster, thinner, and lighter.

• iPad Supplies Cut Off Ahead of iPad 2 Announcement
• iPad 2 Announcement: March 2

Photos

Steve Jobs Unveils iPad 2

see larger image

uploaded by Getty Images

• 

  uploaded by Getty Images | add comment

• 

  uploaded by Jordan Yerman | add comment

• 

  uploaded by Jordan Yerman | add comment

Steve Jobs touted the iPad 2 as a new design, and not just an upgrade. The price points and capacities of the iPad have not changed, but the iPad 2 will be available on the AT&T network (GSM) and the Verizon network (CDMA) in the US.

MacRumors has been liveblogging the iPad 2 event.

iPad 2 Features

• Apple A5 dual-core chip: claimed 2x faster processing, 9x faster graphics
  
• Front- and rear-facing cameras
• iTunes library sharing with home devices via WiFi (is the synching problem fixed?)
  
• It comes in white. Really.
  
• Lighter and thinner
• Smart cover: a magnetic cover that wraps around the iPad 2, opening to act as a typing stand. Takes a bite out of third-party accessory market.
  
• iOS 4.3: Faster Safari, faster Javascript, faster no Flash support.

iOS 4.3 will allow iPhone 4 users (but not iPad 2 users) to use the phone as a mobile hotspot. This is a core feature in Android already. The iPad 2 will ship on March 11, which is when iOS 4.3 will be available for free download. The rest of the world gets the iPad 2 on March 26.

Watch for a jailbreak from the iPhone Dev Team soon.