iPad 2 unveiled

It’s hard to believe that it was just over a year ago that Apple launched the iPad. Belying predictions of cynics that there was little space for a device between a PC and an iPhone, the “post PC device” — as it's being referred to — has had phenomenal success.

A staggering 15 million were sold in the nine months that the iPad was available last year, as they made their way through press and investor conferences, right through to hospitals, schools and legislatures.

“2010 was the year of the iPad,” a gaunt looking Steve Jobs told a news conference in San Francisco, live streamed to BBC studios in west London. Now Apple is counting on 2011 being the year of iPad 2, said the chief executive as he unveiled the device in his first public appearance since going on medical leave six weeks ago.

“It’s just beautiful,” exclaimed Mr Jobs, who appeared as energetic and enthusiastic as ever. The iPad2 is a third thinner than the original, 0.2 pounds lighter and comes with back and front facing cameras to work with Apple’s FaceTime video conferencing facility.

Thanks to the new A5 chip, Apple says the tablet can process data twice as fast and graphics nine times faster than the original.

“All this within a 1.3 pound device!,” Mr Jobs kept enthusing during the conference, as the heads of departments introduced some of the applications available through the device, including updated versions of GarageBand and iMovie.

Ahead of the launch there was much speculation about whether Mr Jobs would attend, with the company providing little information on his condition. His appearance on stage at the start of the launch triggered loud applause from the San Francisco audience.

Apple also launched iOS 4.3 — its latest mobile operating system, with a number of changes, including faster Safari browsing, iTunes Home Sharing, and the ability to lock screen rotation using the mute button on the side of the device.

There will also be a radically different cover for the device, which snaps on and off the surface of the iPad thanks to magnets, automatically putting to sleep or awaking the device.

The iPad2 will go on sale in the US on March 11, and a further 26 countries including Britain, Germany, France and Australia on the 25{+t}{+h}. No date has yet been set for an India launch. The new iPad will be priced the same as the original, with six options ranging from $499 to $829.

Mr Jobs was disparaging of his competition throughout the event — whether on cost or speed or range of applications. He may have good reason for his confidence if some of the analyst reaction is anything to go by — a blog by research firm Forrester predicts the updated device will sell around 20 million devices in the US alone, 80 per cent of that market.

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