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After more speculation than most people could stomach, the iPad 2 has arrived and we got our hands all over Apple's next-gen tablet mere minutes after Steve Jobs left the stage at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco. Based on what we've seen so far, it seems like Apple has avoided any semblance of a sophomore slump. Even though detractors may grumble about the screen resolution, storage, and price remaining the same, there's a lot to like here. Key upgrades include a significantly thinner frame, which comes with a black or white bezel, dual cameras for video, stills, and FaceTime chats, and what's possibly most exciting—3G versions for both AT&T and Verizon.
As far as how the new iPad looks and feels: It's slick, and it's thin. Really thin, and lighter too; it's much easier to hold than the original iPad. And it's fast, thanks to a dual-core A5 processor. For up-close pics along with our first impressions of the iPad 2—including comparison shots with the original—hit the
iPad 2 White
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In a surprising move, Apple released the iPad 2 in two colors. You can choose either a black or white bezel. The back panel remains a silvery brushed aluminum.
iPad 2 Profile
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The iPad 2 is less thick than the original. It's lighter too, and feels much more comfortable in hand.
iPad 2 Depth
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The bezel, white here, is also available in black, and at launch on March 11th, unlike the elusive white iPhone 4. The tablet is just .34-inch deep.
iPad 2 Back Panel
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The brushed aluminum back from the original iPad remains.
iPad 2 Rear Camera 5
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This iPad has cameras! There's one on the front, and this one which captures 720p HD video up to 30 frames per second with audio and still images. It offers 5x digital zoom.
iPad 2 Mute Button, Volume Controls
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The Mute button is new with the iPad 2. Volume controls remain the same from the original.
iPad 2 Mic Jack
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The standard-size 3.5-mm mic jack is in the upper left corner, and, no, Apple still doesn't include earbuds in the box.
iPad 2 Black: Screen
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The bezel comes in black as well, as shown here. Screen size and resolution remains the same at 9.7 inchs and 1024 by 768.
iPad 2 Front-Facing Camera
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The front-facing camera offers VGA video up to 30 frames per second, and VGA-quality stills.
iPad 2 Portrait Keybaord 10
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The keyboard is unchanged and remains easy to type on in either portrait or landscape mode.
iPad 2 Home Screen
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The iPad 2 will ship with a new iOS version, 4.3, which keeps the same home screen as its predecessor.
iPad 2 Storage
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The iPad 2, like its predecessor, will come in 16, 32 and GB 64 flavors.
iPad 2 Dock Connector
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The dock connector remains the same on the iPad 2, so it will work with existing accessories.
iPad 2 Speaker
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The iPad 2's speaker grille looks different, though sound quality wasn't mentioned in the keynote.
iPad 2 Settings 15
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Most of the interface of the iPad 2 and iOS 4.3 look the same as the previous versions.
iPad 2 Side
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The iPad 2 is extremely thin— thinner, in fact, than the iPhone 4.
iPad (left) vs. iPad 2 (right)
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The iPad 2 is much thinner, and noticeably lighter, than the original iPad.
iPad (bottom) vs. iPad 2 (top)
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The iPad 2 is slightly rounder, without the sharp edges of the iPad.
iPad (bottom) vs. iPad 2 (top)
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The mute switch has been changed to be either a mute switch or an orientation lock, and can be controlled in the device's settings.
Garage Band (http://www.windows7newsinfo.com/smf/index.php/topic,15529.0.html) 20
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Apps like Garage Band lend themselves to touch, with lots of dragging, dropping, and visual cues.
iLife Apps
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iMovie and Garage Band (http://www.windows7newsinfo.com/smf/index.php/topic,15530.0.html) were both demoed during Apple's keynote, with no word on if or when any of the other iLife apps will come to the device.
AV Adapter
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The AV Adapter lets you mirror your iPad's screen onto your HDTV for much larger full HD viewing.
AV Adapter
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The adapter also works with the original iPad, the iPhone 4, and the 4th gen. iPod touch.
FaceTime
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FaceTime looks great on the large screen of the iPad 2. And it's fast.
iPad Smart Cover 25
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The Smart Cover, when lifted off the iPad's screen, automatically wakes the iPad 2 up.
iPad Smart Cover
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The Smart Cover can be used as a stand for viewing, a prop for typing, or simply as a cover for the large screen.
(http://i52.tinypic.com/w8q8if.jpg) (http://www.windows7newsinfo.com/smf/index.php/topic,15560.0.html)