In the past there was a lot of speculation about what the new iPad 2 would bring to the world of tablet computers. Now that it’s been officially released by Apple, it’s time to take a look at the iPad 2 facts. What’s changed and what’s stayed the same?
1) The Price Is Staying The Same
You won’t have to pay any extra for this new version of the iPad, Apple are keeping its $499 starting point! And, if you bought the original iPad within the last two weeks, you can contact Apple to upgrade to the newest version free of charge.
2) It’s Thinner, Lighter And Faster
The new iPad is available in black and white, and it’s thinner, lighter and faster than the old one. It now makes use of a dual-core processor, meaning that things will run noticeably more smoothly. The design isn’t that different on paper, but you’ll notice it if you’re used to the older iPad.
3) It Has Cameras And FaceTime
One of the most notable iPad 2 facts is that this one comes with FaceTime – you can have video chats over an internet connection using the new front-facing camera. There’s also a new camera on the back to record higher quality video or take photographs.
4) The Battery Is The Same
Despite the added features, users will be pleased to know that the battery life doesn’t suffer. It stays at 10 hours for use on Wi-Fi or when watching videos, or 9 hours when using a 3G connection.
5) The iPad 2 Comes With iOS 4.3
There are also some changes thanks to the new iOS system that ships with the iPad 2. Apple are once again letting you choose whether you’d like to use the switch at the side as an orientation lock, rather than a mute button, it’s speeding up Safari, and adding improvements to AirPlay and iTunes Home Sharing.
6) Apple Have Released New iPad 2 Apps
As mentioned above, FaceTime is included to allow people to make face to face video calls. On top of this, Apple have also decided to bring the popular iMovie and Garageband apps to the iPad 2. The former means you can edit your videos on the go, the latter is great for creating music.
7) The iPad 2 Comes With HDMI Out
Another one of the more exciting iPad 2 facts is that it comes with an option for an HDMI connection when you buy an additional cable from Apple. This means you can connect the iPad to the TV screen to watch movies, and mirror exactly what you’re doing on the iPad. This is really useful for presentations!
New Colorful Case Designs
With the new iPad 2 release, Apple have also released their leather and polyurethane cases. These attach to the iPad 2 magnetically, putting it to sleep as you apply it and waking the iPad up as you remove it. They also clean the screen, and can even be folded into a stand when you don’t need the screen protection.