10 Things You Ought to Know About the iPad 2

Apple officially announced the iPad 2 on March 2, 2011 and while the internet is busy buzzing with tons of coverage, following are the only 10 things you really need to know about the iPad 2.

1 - The Front and Back Facing Cameras

Just as everyone expected, the iPad 2 will feature both front and back facing cameras and will support Facetime video chatting with iPad 2s, iPod Touch 4Gs, and iPhones.

2 - The Dual-Core Processor

The iPad 2 will feature a dual-core processor A5 processor, that will double the power of the original single-core A4 processor on the original iPad.

3 - The Graphics are a Huge Upgrade from the Original

Gaming, apps, movies, and everything graphical will be better than the original on the iPad 2 which is reported to have a graphics chip that will be up to nine times more powerful than the first generation's GPU.

4 - The New Thinner and Lighter Design

The iPad 2 underwent a major makeover that is more efficiently designed with a 33% thinner frame and weighs 15% less than the first Apple tablet.

5 - HDMI Out Support

One of the biggest concerns with the first iPad was "how do I get what's on my screen onto my HDTV" and that concern was addressed with the all new Apple Digital AV Adapter that will feature HDMI support via a $39 Apple Digital AV Adapter.

6 - Available in Black and White

The iPad 2 has put a lot of focus on customization and unlike the original iPad that only shipped in all black form; the iPad 2 will ship in both black and white colors from day one.

7 - Apps Will Be Awesome

Along with the big March 2^nd, 2011 iPad 2 announcements, lots of great iOS 4.3 apps were also announced including Facetime, iMovie, Photo Booth, and Garage Band - showing how truly awesome apps on the iPad 2 will be.

8 - Battery Life Will Remain 10 Hours Long

With all of the awesome new features of the iPad 2, battery life was the concern of lots of fans and it's a "breather" to know that the iPad 2 - in all its glory - will retain the same 10 hour battery life that was featured on the first generation

9 - All for the Same Price as the First Generation

Most iPad 2 rumors sites had the Apple's tablet price pegged as high as $1,000 at launch, but to the surprise [and amazement] of everyone, the iPad 2 will stay the exact same price as the original [starting at $499 and ranging as high as $829].

10 - The Release Date

The iPad 2 will launch on Friday, March 11, 2011 and will be available for sale in stores after 5:00pm.

For more, read The Best Features Original IPad Users Will Miss Out on If They Don't Upgrade to the IPad 2 , Several Ways IPad 2 Apps Will Likely Be Better Than Original IPad Apps , and Why the iPad 2's Camera is a Bigger Deal Than You Think

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