Apple's next-generation iPad, the iPad 2, is slimmer, more colorful, and tricked-out with a boatload of new features.
Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Thought Leadership, Speed Desk and How-To. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds.
Jessica led CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
James Martin is the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET.
His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care.
From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his is a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology.
Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.
Apple's CEO Steve Jobs took to the stage in San Francisco to unveil the highly anticipated iPad 2. This next-generation Apple tablet is 33 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter than the previous model, but has the same price tag and is packed with new features.
2 of 17 James Martin/CNET
Dorsal side
The polished back cover conceals internal tech specs, like a dual-core A5 processor that Apple claims will make the iPad 2 up to twice as fast for CPU functions and nine times faster than its predecessor when it comes to mobile gaming.
3 of 17 James Martin/CNET
Rear-facing camera
Instead of the absence of cameras we got with the original iPad, the iPad 2 has two of them. The rear-facing camera, pictured here, supports 720p video capture.
4 of 17 James Martin/CNET
Front-facing camera
The front-facing camera handles VGA quality and is video-chat-ready. Hello, FaceTime!
5 of 17 James Martin/CNET
Thinner than iPhone 4
The height and width may look similar, but in terms of thickness, the iPad has done some dieting. It shrank from 13.4mm thick on the original model to 8.8mm thick for the iPad 2. It's thinner, even, than the iPhone 4.
6 of 17 James Martin/CNET
Smart Cover
We largely knew what to expect going into the iPad 2 announcement, but Apple's clever Smart Covers were a genuine surprise. Composed of panels, they snap to the iPad quickly, easily, and accurately.
"You can add it in a second. You can remove it in a second," Jobs said. The new case comes in five colors for the polyurethane version ($39), and five as well for the leather ($69).
7 of 17 James Martin/CNET
Perks aplenty
As even better perks, the Smart Cover automatically puts the tablet to sleep when you snap it on and wakes it up when you take it off. The paneled covers are foldable, too, to serve as a stand in landscape and portrait modes.
8 of 17 James Martin/CNET
Magnetic attraction
A magnetic attachment keeps the Smart Cover rooted in place.
9 of 17 James Martin/CNET
iOS 4.3
The iPad 2 gets a software upgrade as well. iOS 4.3 will introduce new apps like GarageBand, Photo Booth, and iMovie for iPad. It will also get support for AirPlay and AirPrint in addition to four-finger multitouch.
10 of 17 Apple
Multitouch
Multitouch support makes finger gestures more powerful, thanks to the new iOS 4.3.
11 of 17 Apple
White!
Apple has historically had trouble giving users the promised white models of its iOS devices, but CEO Jobs promised that the iPad 2 will come in white at launch, in addition to the signature black color. March 11 is the magic day here in the U.S. It will arrive in stores in 26 other countries on the 25th.
12 of 17 Apple
Two cameras
A major complaint with the first iPad was its lack of cameras. As we mentioned, Apple's second stab has two: a front-facing VGA resolution camera, and rear-facing shooter offering 720p video recording.
13 of 17 Apple
Backlit LED display
The 9.7-inch backlit LED display continues the iPad's multimedia prowess.
14 of 17 Apple
Smart Cover
The magnetic iPad Smart Cover snaps over and under the iPad to cushion and to protect the screen.
15 of 17 Apple
Also a stand
Here's how Smart Covers also serve as a viewing stand.
16 of 17 Apple
Hinges
The micro-fiber material can conveniently help clean the screen, at least in theory (polyurethane version).
17 of 17 Apple
Taste the rainbow
The 10 colors of Smart Covers, five each for the polyurethane case ($39) and five for the leather ($69).
