The iPad 2 Era Begins

Apple (and maybe more importantly, Steve Jobs) just wrapped up today's special event launching the iPad 2, and a few more surprises along the way. Here's the quick recap:

The iPad 2

As expected, front and rear cameras, with both photo and video capability. The "brain" of the iPad has been upgraded with the Apple-designed A5 chip, bringing up to two times the CPU performance, and up to nine times the graphics performance, according to Apple. The device is also 33% thinner, so that should quiet all those who say "I'd get an iPad, but it's just too thick!" Oh, wait. All joking aside, it is also .2 pounds lighter, which could make a difference for those using the iPad as a book reader. The iPad 2 will be available in black and white "from day one," with models for both AT&T and Verizon's 3G services. Prices will start at the same $499 as the current model, and go on sale March 11th.

Other announcements:

For better or worse, a really cool version of GarageBand for the iPad will allow just about anyone to make music, anywhere.

iMovie has been greatly enhanced for use on the iPad 2.

New Smart Covers cover the screen of the iPad, and act as a stand. They are available in ten different colors, and two different materials, starting at $39.

Random House will be joining the iBookstore party, brining 17,000 titles to Apple's service.

Apple now has over 200 million credit card accounts on file. According to Jobs, that may be more than anyone else on the internet. (I think some hackers' ears just perked up.)

A major milestone as Apple announced 100 million iPhones have shipped. That's a huge, huge number.

 Over 65,000 apps now available for the iPad. And for the record, yes we will get around to reviewing them here at TDL.

All in all, a solid product announcement from Apple. This takes away many, if not all of the criticisms of the original iPad, many of which didn't seem to matter to consumers anyhow.