Editor’s Note: A little birdie from Cupertino sent this to me. They stressed that this is the real deal.
A Magical & Revolutionary Device for the Bathroom Lover in Everyone
SAN FRANCISCO—March 2, 2011—Apple® today introduced iPad 2, a magical update to the revolutionary device that changed the course of computing history forever. iPad 2’s responsive Multi-Touch™ display lets users interact with applications and content, just like before, but with great new features like the FaceTime HD™ camera, better stereo speakers and the other new things announced today, users will once again be blown away by just how awesome Apple’s mediocre hardware revisions can be.
With an even-stronger glass display, more robust buttons and moisture-resistant ports, the iPad 2 is designed for users looking to take the magical experience of iOS on a 9.7-inch display into the bathroom stall with them.
“Without any doubt, iPad 2 is the best bathroom computer ever created,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Users will be able to enjoy their apps and media in more ways — and in more places — than ever before.”
“We don’t judge our users,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing. “In fact, I do most of my work from the private bathroom in my office. Before iPad 2, I often found myself annoyed at having to lug my MacBook Pro into the john. Those days have passed.”
“With the new vibrator built into every iPad 2, users will be able to get feedback from their favorite games without compromising their dignity or privacy,” said Jonathan Ive, Apple’s Senior Vice President Industrial Design. “We’ve re-thought everything for use in a stall. We are so proud of this product.”
Alongside the iPad 2, Apple unveiled a new line of iPad 2-ready accessories, including a new media dock and protective case. The iPad 2 Media Dock™ comes with a power cable and an HDMI port.
The case has a water-resistant bottom and a new textured handle for great grip and security, no matter what the situation.
iPad 2 features next-generation Multi-Touch applications. Every app works in both portrait and landscape, automatically animating between views as the user rotates iPad 2 in any direction. The precise Multi-Touch interface makes surfing the web on iPad 2 an entirely new experience, dramatically more interactive and intimate than on a computer. Reading and sending email is fun and easy on iPad 2’s large screen and almost full-size “soft” keyboard. Import photos from a Mac®, PC or digital camera, see them organized as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad 2’s elegant slideshows. Watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD or flip through pages of an e-book you downloaded from Apple’s new iBookstore while listening to your music collection.
iPad 2 syncs with iTunes just like the iPhone and iPod touch, using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable, so you can sync all of your contacts, photos, music, movies, TV shows, applications and more from your Mac or PC. All the apps and content you download on iPad 2 from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to your iTunes library the next time you connect with your computer.
iPad 2’s brilliant 9.7-inch, LED-backlit display features IPS technology to deliver crisp, clear images and consistent color with an ultra-wide 178 degree viewing angle. The highly precise, capacitive Multi-Touch display is amazingly accurate and responsive whether scrolling web pages or playing games. The intelligent soft keyboard pioneered on iPhone takes advantage of iPad 2’s larger display to offer an almost full-size soft keyboard. iPad 2 also connects to the new iPad 2 Keyboard Dock with a full-size traditional keyboard.
iPad 2 is powered by A5, Apple’s next-generation system-on-a-chip. Designed by Apple, the new A5 chip provides exceptional processor and graphics performance along with long battery life of up to 14 hours. Apple’s advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging technology deliver up to 1,750 charge cycles without a significant decrease in battery capacity over a typical five year lifespan. With new battery technology packed into every iPad 2 2, this additional power is coupled with a thinner form factor, making the iPad weigh .5 pounds less than its predecessor.
iPad 2 comes in two versions—one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. iPad 2 includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions work on either Verizon Wireless or AT&T in the United States. 3G pre-paid data plans for iPad 2 with easy, on-device activation and management.
Continuing Apple’s dedication to designing and creating environmentally responsible products, each iPad 2 enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy-efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iPad 2 contains no brominated flame retardants and is completely PVC-free. No puppies or toddlers were injured during the development of iPad 2.
Apple today released a new Software Development Kit (SDK) for iPad 2, so developers can create amazing new applications designed to take advantage of iPad 2’s capabilities. The SDK includes a simulator that lets developers test and debug their iPad 2 apps on a Mac, and also lets developers create Universal Applications that run on iPad 2, iPhone 4 and iPod touch.
Pricing & Availability
iPad 2 will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad 2 will be available in April in the US and selected countries 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. International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date. iBookstore will be available in the US at launch.
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 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.