Live from London: Apple Presents iPad 2, Out 25 March in Black & W

After a whole load of consumer technology manufacturers recently unveiled touchscreen tablets, it's now time for market pioneer Apple to present the second version of its iPad which, just one year ago, proved once and for all that the tablet market was full of potential.


 So what's in store in the iPad 2? Will the American tech giant take us all by surprise? Faced with a whole new bunch of touchscreen tablets presented at the CES in Las Vegas and the Mobile World Congress, most of which will run on the Android OS, how will Apple make sure it stays one step ahead of the game in a tablet market that's set to really take off this year?

The original iPad was a trailblazer in a fledgling market but suddenly its future seems a little less certain. Will the new and improved version two of the tablet help it hang onto its as yet undisputed spot as market leader? Several dozen tablets have been announced for upcoming release in 2011, and a few models really stand out from the crowd with tech specs that make mincemeat of the current iPad, in particular the Motorola Xoom, or for their original new interfaces (BlackBerry PlayBook, HP TouchPad).


We're currently in London to follow the live broadcast of the Apple press conference being held in San Francisco. Before we get to have a go with the tablet and bring you our first impressions of the iPad 2, we'll be outlining the tech specs and new features as they're announced.

Steve Jobs, who has been on sick leave since mid-January, arrived on stage to the sound of loud applauding from the audience, although he's probably used to that by now. As is always the way with Apple press conferences, Jobs kicked things off by reeling off a load of figures, self-congratulation and digs at the competition.


To date, Apple has shifted 100 million iPhones. Steve Jobs then reminded us that the first iPod, the first iPhone, then the first iPad were all blockbusters.


In 2010, 15 million iPads were sold in just nine months (April to December), which is more than any other tablet sold to date, Jobs was keen to point out. He then reminded us that the iPad currently has a 90% share of the touchscreen tablet market, and it's doing a good job of keeping the competition at bay, particularly Samsung.


What's more, 65,000 applications have been developed exclusively for the iPad and developers have rallied to support the Apple tablet.

A rather long video then showed some children and some adults using the iPad in both personal and professional situations (the adults, that is!).

New slimmer design, faster operation

Fast forward to 2011 and the iPad 2. The new tablet will have a dual-core processor for faster operation. A front-facing camera and a rear camera will also make an appearance along with a gyroscope.


The iPad 2 is 33% slimmer and is apparently even 'slimmer than an iPhone 4'. Steve Jobs also annoucned that it'd be available in white and this time 'from day one', which got a few laughs from the audience since the white iPhone 4 announced alongside the black version is still to see the light of day


So what about the screen; has it been improved? Well, it doesn't look like it, as Steve Jobs didn't even menion the iPad 2 display.

There'll be no change to the battery either, with a 10-hour battery life promised as with the original iPad.

There'll be an HDMI port too ... for hooking up all kinds of optional accessories, due to sell for $39 a piece.

No change in price

The 16 GB Wi-Fi version will sell for $499 while a 64 GB model with 3G and Wi-Fi will set you back $829 (UK prices haven't been announced yet).


Asccesories will include a new case that clips together with magnets available in a selection of colours for $39 each. It looks like a simple cover that attaches to the screen and which folds back to make a handy stand for the tablet.

iOS 4.3

Steve Jobs then outlined version 4.3 of the iOS, promising plenty of new features and faster operation. The new version of the iOS will be available to download from 11 March.


Thanks to the front-facing camera, the iPad 2 will be compatible with Apple's FaceTime videoconferencing function. FaceTime calls will be possible between iPad 2 and iPad 2, as well as the iPhone 4.

Steve Jobs then moved onto the iMovie ($4.99) video editing software (sharing HD videos, AirPlay to a TV etc.) for the iPad. It'll be possible to add several audio tracks to a video, for example. This program will be available for the original iPad too, but it probably won't run as fast as on the iPad 2.


Next up was Garage Band, the music software that's 'incredibly simple and can be used by anyone', which is now coming to both versions of the iPad too.

After a brief recap of the tech specs of the new iPad 2, Steve Jobs reiterated that '2011 will be the year of the iPad 2.'

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