Apple Inc. unveils iPad 2 tablet

March 3, 2011

In a media event on March 2, Apple Inc. unveiled its tablet computer, the successor to the company's. The announcement was made at the in San Francisco, California. CEO Steve Jobs appeared at the event and introduced the new product, with video messaging (with front and rear cameras) as well as a new dual-core  processor.

The iPad 2 is an all new design and has several improvements over the original iPad. The device runs on an dual-core CPU. According to Jobs, the CPU's new dual-core capability enhances multitasking and doubles the processing speed. Apple additionally introduced a magnetic '' accessory that snaps to the front screen of the device along with several new apps ported from the and the. These include, , and. The new iPad introduces front and rear cameras which enable FaceTime. The new tablet is 15% lighter and 33% thinner than the previous version - thinner than an - and has beveled edges. It will be available in black and white. The device continues to be capable of ten hours of battery life on a single charge.

The announcement comes after months of rumors about a successor to the original iPad. Competitors have designed tablets to compete with the iPad such as Motorola's powered by the  operating system. One research analyst predicted that iPads would still make up at least 20 million of the more than 24 million tablet computers sold in the United States in 2011. Another analyst credited the Apple's App store for iPad's continued success. The device will become available in the United States on March 11, 2011, available in 16, 32, or 64 gigabytes. iPad 2's 3G models can connect to the wireless networks of or  and. The iPad 2 will start at 499. In tandem with the announcement, Apple reduced the price of its original iPad to US$399. Shares of Apple inc. rose $2.81, closing at US$352.12 the day of the announcement.