Apple iPad 2 Launch In Review

Apple introduced the iPad 2 today, CEO Steve Jobs on stage introducing a completely new design of the newest iPad. As he said in his statement this morning, this is not a tweaked or slightly improved device, this is something new.

The event was booming with Steve Jobs boasting about the 2010 iPad success. Selling nearly 15 million iPads in the first year of sales.

Finally, something us iPad owners have asked for since iOS4 came out, users can now set the iPad 2 to use the button on the side to lock the rotation or mute the device.

One surprising turn of event is the colors available, along with a black version it will also come in white from day one, with the 3G version available on Verizon and AT&T from day one. Launch day is March 11 in the US, March 25 everywhere else.

The iPad will run on iOS 4.3 and feature improved AirPlay settings which lets you share media between the iPad and other devices. As always iTunes sharing is built-in when you are on the same network as your computer.

More highlights from Steve Jobs:

• 33% thinner than the first iPad, 8.8mm thick, down from 13.4 mm.
• Comes in both black and white.
• Dual-core processor, that’s twice as fast as the first.
• Graphics are nine times faster.
• Both front and rear-facing cameras.
• Six different versions,16GB, 32GB, 64GB, that come with and without 3G support.
• Same battery life as the original iPad.
• HDMI compatible

[Thanks to Engadget and Macword for images]