Don’t be fooled by the photo above — it was drizzling and bleary Wednesday as the Apple universe converged on San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, where Steve Jobs announced the imminent arrival of iPad2.
Based on the design enhancements and new specs of the latest magical device out of Cupertino, Apple, Inc. ought to enjoy sunny days and clear skies as far as the eye can see.
For one thing, try and wrap your mind around the fact that the iPad2 is going to be thinner than the iPhone4. It’s almost sleek and sharp enough to be a weapon. With an upgraded A5 dual-core processor and up to 9X faster graphics processing, this iPad immediately renders the original obsolete, especially if it lives up to Apple’s claim that it will still provide users 10 hours of continuous use battery life.
When it ships in the US on March 11 (worldwide on March 25), iPad2 will come with a choice of white or black bezel and 10 different covers, 5 bright polyurethane and five more subdued colors in Italian leather.
The cover hinges at the left (or bottom) end and attaches magnetically to the open end. Closed, the cover automatically puts the device to sleep and wakes it on opening.
The cover also conveniently folds back to act as a stand for the iPad, in either horizontal or vertical orientation.
As many hoped and expected, iPad2 has both rear and forward facing cameras that will let users FaceTime with other iPad2 users, as well as with Mac and iPhone users.
One of the greatest advantages of the new design is built-in video out, which, with a $39 adapter will let users mirror their iPad’s screen on any HDMI device.
Support for AirPrint is fully baked in, which is going to make everyone happy.
Of course, there’s lots more, including an iOS version of iMovie that’s going to sell for $4.99 and a new version of Garage Band that’s going to help iOS musicians blow the roof off the mobile music creation universe.
Apple’s not handling any preorders for the iPad2, so expect huge lines at all US Apple Retail Stores in advance of the March 11 debut. From the looks of things, Steve Jobs & Company have hit another home run.
