Apple Launches iPad 2
All New Design is Thinner, Lighter Faster with FaceTime, Smart Covers
10 Hour Battery
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today introduced iPad™ 2, the next generation of its magical
device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos,
watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and
much more. iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 percent
thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, while
maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2
features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance
and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA
camera for FaceTime® and Photo Booth®, and a rear-facing camera that
captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad
users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and
packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of
battery life* that users have come to expect. iPad 2 is available in
black or white, features models that run on ATT’s and Verizon’s 3G
networks, and introduces the innovative iPad 2 Smart Cover in a range of
vibrant polyurethane and rich leather colors.
“While others
have been scrambling to copy the first generation iPad, we’re launching
iPad 2, which moves the bar far ahead of the competition and will likely
cause them to go back to the drawing boards yet again.”
“With more than 15 million iPads sold, iPad has defined an entirely new
category of mobile devices,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “While others
have been scrambling to copy the first generation iPad, we’re launching
iPad 2, which moves the bar far ahead of the competition and will likely
cause them to go back to the drawing boards yet again.”
With the new front and rear cameras, iPad 2 users can now make FaceTime
calls to millions of iPhone® 4, iPod touch® and Mac® users so they can
see family and friends anywhere there is Wi-Fi. Photo Booth lets you
apply fun visual effects, including eight photo special effects like
Squeeze, Twirl and Kaleidoscope, to photos captured by either camera.
iPad 2 comes with iOS 4.3, the latest version of the world’s most
advanced mobile operating system, with new features including faster
Safari® mobile browsing performance; iTunes® Home Sharing; enhancements
to AirPlay®;** the choice to use the iPad side switch to either lock the
screen rotation or mute audio; and Personal Hotspot to share an iPhone 4
cellular data connection over Wi-Fi.*** Additional iPad 2 features
include a built-in gyro for advanced gaming; HSUPA support for enhanced
3G upload speeds on iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G on ATT, and HDMI Video Mirroring
that lets users mirror their iPad screen on an HDTV using an optional
adaptor.
The innovative new iPad 2 Smart Cover provides protection for the iPad
screen while maintaining its thin and lightweight profile. Designed with
a unique self-aligning magnetic hinge that makes it easy to attach and
remove, the new iPad 2 Smart Cover automatically wakes iPad 2 when it’s
opened and puts it to sleep when it’s closed, and has a soft microfiber
lining to help keep the screen clean. The Smart Cover also folds into a
stand for typing or viewing videos and is available in vibrant
polyurethane for $39 or rich leather for $69 in a range of colors,
including a (PRODUCT) RED one which helps support the Global Fund to
fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Apple also introduced two new apps: iMovie® and GarageBand® for iPad,
both available on the App Store? for just $4.99 each. With iMovie, iPad
2 users can shoot and edit videos right on their iPad and post their
movies to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and their MobileMe? gallery; watch
them on their iPod®, iPhone or iPad; as well as view them on their HDTV
using AirPlay and Apple TV®. GarageBand turns your iPad into a
collection of touch instruments and 8-track recording studio, allowing
you to perform with onscreen keyboards, guitars, drums and basses using
multi-touch gestures–even if you don’t play a musical instrument.
iPad 2 runs almost all of the over 350,000 apps available on the App
Store and there are more than 65,000 native iPad apps available from an
incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business,
news, sports, health, reference and travel. The iTunes Store gives iPad
users access to the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie
store with a catalog of over 14 million songs, over 50,000 TV episodes
and over 10,000 films including over 3,500 in stunning high definition
video. The iBooks® app for iPad includes Apple’s iBookstore?, the best
way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device.
Pricing Availability
iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available on March 11 for a suggested retail
price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model,
$699 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a
suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for
the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G
compatible with the Verizon network will be available in the US only for
a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for
the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad 2 will be sold in
the US through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com),
Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iMovie and
GarageBand for iPad apps will be available on March 11 for $4.99 each
from the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore.
iPad 2 will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on March
25; and in many more countries around the world in the coming months.
Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a
later date.
*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors.
Actual results vary.
**AirPlay video requires second generation Apple TV running the latest
software.
***Personal Hotspot requires supporting data plan. Customers should
check with their carrier for availability.
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with
OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital
music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is
reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App
Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining
the future of mobile media and computing devices.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple’s PR website (www.apple.com/pr),
or call Apple’s Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.
© 2011 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac
OS, Macintosh, iPad, FaceTime, Photo Booth, iPhone, iPod touch, Safari,
iTunes, AirPlay, iMovie, GarageBand, App Store, MobileMe, iPod, Apple
TV, iBooks, iBookstore and Apple Store are trademarks of Apple. Other
company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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