iPad2.0 Announcement

· CPU:  Based on new A5 dual core processor.  Up to 2x faster than A4.  Same low power consumption as A4.  First dual-core tablet to ship in volume.

· Graphics:  Up to 9x faster graphics.

· Form Factor:  iPad 2 is just 8.8 mm thick.  33% thinner than iPad 1.  Thinner than the iPhone 4. 

· Display:  Same 9.7” display. 

· Weight:  iPad 2 is 15% lighter than iPad 1.  It weighs just 1.3 pounds, versus 1.5 pounds in the previous generation.

· Cameras:  New front and rear camera.

· Inertial sensors:  Accelerometer, compass and new gyro just like the iPhone 4 and 4^th generation iPod Touch.

· Video mirroring:  The iPad will have HDMI mirrored video output. Up to 1080p. Anything you see on an iPad screen you see on HDMI. Works with all apps, supports rotation, no setup or configuration, and you can even charge your iPad while plugged into an HDMI gadget. The HDMI accessory will cost $40.

· Battery Life:  Same 10-hour battery life and over one month of standby. 

Looks like Apple concentrated more on hardware now. The iPad2 announcement was all about competent hardware specs(the announced iOS 4.3 offers only a few minor improvements such as Facetime for iPad, WiFi hotspot and a speedier Safari browser). They are combining continuous hardware innovation plus price reduction by which they keep raising the bar for the rest of the industry. I’m impressed with what they have done to make such serious hardware improvements without any discernable tradeoffs.