The iPad 2 is now available and there is much to salivate over. On the surface they look quite similar but there is a lot going on under the hood.
The processor in the iPad 2 is a 1GHz dual core Apple A5. This is a big jump beyond the 1GHz Apple A4 found in the previous generation. With more processing power expect to see more robust apps being developed to take advantage of this. The new unit is also lighter than all of the previous iPad’s incarnations. The iPad 1 came in two weight categories – 680g and 730g (3G model). The iPad 2 weighs in at 613g (AT&T), 607g (Verizon) and 601g (wifi only).
The iPad 2 features a gyroscope which the iPad 1 did not have. You also get two cameras. One is located on the front and the other on the back. The front camera is a VGA webcam while the camera on the back allows you to record video in 720p. This is a good compliment to the HDMA out for HD video display. Whatever you have on your screen can be streamed in HD. The connector to make this possible will cost you $39. Cellular radio has been added as well. The iPad 1 came with EDGE plus triband HSPA. The iPad 2 gives you EDGE plus triband HSPA OR CDMA / EV-DO Rev. A.
With all of these new features one might expect the iPad 2 to be bigger than the iPad 1 but is not the case. The iPad 2 is 8.8mm thick while the previous iPad was 13.4mm thick. The new cover for the unit uses magnets to automatically turn the device off and on when it is used. Even though the iPad is still black you now have the option of a white bezel.
Not everything on the iPad 2 is completely new. Some of the specs owners of the previous iPad will already have been familiar with. The display and resolution remain the same at 9.7 inches LED backlit IPS LCD with 1024 x 768. The storage options are also the same with 16GB, 32GB and 64GB options. The wifi is still 802.11 a/b/g and Bluetooth remains at 2.1 + EDR. The accelerometer is still 3-axis.
The iPad 2 packs a lot of punch is a slightly smaller device. It ships at the same price that the iPad 1 once ran for so new buyers should be really pleased. The dual core processor, enhance IOS 4.3 and gyroscope will give developers more tools to take advantage of in their applications. This equates to a more feature rich experience for the end user.
