IPad 2
Encyclopedia
The iPad 2 is the second and current generation of the iPad
, a tablet computer
designed, developed and marketed by Apple. It serves primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, presentations and web content, and is available in black or white. The Foxconn
China-manufactured iPad 2 has a lithium-ion polymer battery that lasts up to 10 hours, a new dual core Apple A5 processor
and VGA front-facing and 720p
rear-facing cameras designed for FaceTime
video calling.
Apple unveiled the device on March 2, 2011, began selling it by website and retail stores on March 11, and released it in 25 other countries on March 26, including Australia, Britain and Canada. Apple announced that the iPad 2 would be released in Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and other countries on April 29, 2011.
revealed the device at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
on March 2, 2011, despite being on medical leave.
Apple began selling the iPad 2 on its website on March 11, and in its U.S. retail stores at 5 pm local time on that date. Many stores in major cities, such as New York, sold out within hours. Online shipping delays had increased to three to four weeks on Sunday and four to five weeks by Tuesday. One analyst predicted that Apple would sell 35 million iPad 2s in 2011.
The iPad 2 was released internationally in 25 other countries on March 25, 2011. The countries included Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Apple announced that the iPad 2 will be released in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries in April 2011.
The March 25 release date for Japan was postponed due to the earthquake and tsunami
which struck the entire nation on March 11, 2011. The iPads may be delayed due to the NAND flash storage chip used in the iPads being created by Toshiba
, which has been affected by the earthquake and tsunami and has closed indefinitely. The slowdown caused analysts to downgrade Apple's stock.
5 software that was released on October 12, 2011 and is supposed to bring over 200 new user features including Notification Center, iMessage, and an updated notifications system, using a new "banner" style instead of the originally used pop-up "alert" style. The iPad 2 comes with Photo Booth, an application in which users can take photos and effects on them. The iPad 2 also adds to capability to support GarageBand
, iMovie
, and the iWork apps Pages
, Keynote, and Numbers
. These applications do not come with the iPad but are instead official applications from Apple sold within the App Store.
, front and rear cameras plus a 6 axis gyroscope. Several components were made smaller to fit the new iPad.
Apple reduced the size of the iPad by eliminating the stamped sheet metal frame from the display, integrating new thinner glass technology for the touch screen overlay, and slightly reducing the space between the display and battery. The iPad 2's screen is thinner, lighter, and yet stronger than the original iPad's. The iPad 2 also supports screen mirroring via the digital AV adapter., and through AirPlay as of iOS 5.
, 2 A
power adapter. The battery is 2.5 mm thick, 59% smaller than the original and has three cells instead of two. The improvements allowed the injection-molded plastic support frame to be omitted. The 10 W
USB power adapter provides 4x the power of a conventional USB port.
video calls with the iPhone 4
, fourth-generation iPod Touch
and Macintosh
computers (running Mac OS X
10.6.6 or later with a webcam). The 0.3 MP front camera shoots VGA-quality 30 frame/s video and VGA-quality still photos. The 0.7 MP back camera can shoot 720p
HD video at 30 frame/s and has a 5x digital zoom
. Both shoot photo in a 4:3 fullscreen aspect ratio. The rear camera shoots video in 16:9 widescreen to match the 720p standard, although only the central 4:3 part of the recording is shown on the screen during recording. The forward facing camera shoots in 4:3.
that Apple claims doubles processing speed and has graphics processing that is up to nine times faster than the previous iPad.
support for customers using the device on a CDMA network (e.g. Verizon Wireless
in the United States) or GSM/UMTS support for customers using the device on a GSM/UMTS network (e.g., AT&T Mobility
in the United States or Orange in Europe).
The iPad Wi-Fi + 3G model includes an A-GPS receiver for tracking the user's location given permission. Also, the iPad 2 3G model includes a plastic cap-like band at the top on the back for the 3G antenna. The metallic grille for the microphone is replaced with a matching plastic black grille on the 3G model.
by 0.5 mm.
The Wi-Fi
version is 1.33 lb (603.3 g). Both the GSM and CDMA versions (known respectively as the AT&T and Verizon
versions in the US) differ in weight slightly due to the mass difference between the GSM and CDMA cellular radios, with the GSM model at 1.35 lb (612.3 g) and the CDMA model at 1.34 lb (607.8 g).
The size of the iPad 2 is also less than the original iPad
at only 9.50×7.31×0.34 in (241.2×185.7×8.8 mm), compared to the original iPad's size at 9.56×7.47×0.5 in (242.8×189.7×13.4 mm).
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
, a tablet computer
Tablet computer
A tablet computer, or simply tablet, is a complete mobile computer, larger than a mobile phone or personal digital assistant, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen...
designed, developed and marketed by Apple. It serves primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, presentations and web content, and is available in black or white. The Foxconn
Foxconn
The Foxconn Technology Group is a multinational business group anchored by the Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. , a Taiwan-registered corporation headquartered in Tucheng, Taiwan...
China-manufactured iPad 2 has a lithium-ion polymer battery that lasts up to 10 hours, a new dual core Apple A5 processor
Apple A5
The Apple A5 is a package on package system-on-a-chip designed by Apple and manufactured by Samsung to replace the Apple A4. The chip commercially debuted with the release of Apple's iPad 2 tablet, and also powers the iPhone 4S...
and VGA front-facing and 720p
720p
720p is the shorthand name for 1280x720, a category of High-definition television video modes having a resolution of 1080 or 720p and a progressive scan...
rear-facing cameras designed for FaceTime
FaceTime
FaceTime is a video calling software application and related protocol developed by Apple for supported mobile devices running the iOS, in addition to Macintosh computers running Mac OS X 10.6.6 and higher...
video calling.
Apple unveiled the device on March 2, 2011, began selling it by website and retail stores on March 11, and released it in 25 other countries on March 26, including Australia, Britain and Canada. Apple announced that the iPad 2 would be released in Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and other countries on April 29, 2011.
History
Apple sent invitations to journalists on February 23, 2011 for a media event on March 2. Apple CEO Steve JobsSteve Jobs
Steven Paul Jobs was an American businessman and inventor widely recognized as a charismatic pioneer of the personal computer revolution. He was co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple Inc...
revealed the device at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is a multi-disiplinary contemporary arts center in San Francisco, California, United States. Located in Yerba Buena Gardens, YBCA features visual art, performance, and film/video that celebrates local, national, and international artists and the Bay Area's diverse...
on March 2, 2011, despite being on medical leave.
Apple began selling the iPad 2 on its website on March 11, and in its U.S. retail stores at 5 pm local time on that date. Many stores in major cities, such as New York, sold out within hours. Online shipping delays had increased to three to four weeks on Sunday and four to five weeks by Tuesday. One analyst predicted that Apple would sell 35 million iPad 2s in 2011.
The iPad 2 was released internationally in 25 other countries on March 25, 2011. The countries included Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Apple announced that the iPad 2 will be released in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries in April 2011.
The March 25 release date for Japan was postponed due to the earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
which struck the entire nation on March 11, 2011. The iPads may be delayed due to the NAND flash storage chip used in the iPads being created by Toshiba
Toshiba
is a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
, which has been affected by the earthquake and tsunami and has closed indefinitely. The slowdown caused analysts to downgrade Apple's stock.
Software
The iPad 2 uses the iOSIOS
iOS is an operating system for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Apple TV.IOS may also refer to:-Companies and organisations:* Illinois Ornithological Society, American state-based bird club...
5 software that was released on October 12, 2011 and is supposed to bring over 200 new user features including Notification Center, iMessage, and an updated notifications system, using a new "banner" style instead of the originally used pop-up "alert" style. The iPad 2 comes with Photo Booth, an application in which users can take photos and effects on them. The iPad 2 also adds to capability to support GarageBand
GarageBand
GarageBand is a software application for Mac OS X and iOS that allows users to create music or podcasts. It is developed by Apple Inc. as a part of the iLife software package on Mac OS X.-Audio recording:...
, iMovie
IMovie
iMovie is a proprietary video editing software application which allows Mac, iPod Touch 4th generation, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPad 2 users to edit their own home movies. It was originally released by Apple in 1999 as a Mac OS 8 application bundled with the first FireWire-enabled consumer Apple...
, and the iWork apps Pages
Pages
Pages is a word processor and page layout application developed by Apple. It is part of the iWork productivity suite and runs on the Mac OS X & iOS operating systems. The first version of Pages was announced on January 11, 2005, and was released one month later. The most recent Macintosh version,...
, Keynote, and Numbers
Numbers (software)
Numbers is a spreadsheet application developed by Apple Inc. as part of the iWork productivity suite alongside Keynote and Pages. Numbers 1.0 was announced on August 7, 2007 and thus it is the newest application in the iWork Suite. Numbers runs on Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger" or newer...
. These applications do not come with the iPad but are instead official applications from Apple sold within the App Store.
Hardware
The iPad 2 includes a new A5 processorApple A5
The Apple A5 is a package on package system-on-a-chip designed by Apple and manufactured by Samsung to replace the Apple A4. The chip commercially debuted with the release of Apple's iPad 2 tablet, and also powers the iPhone 4S...
, front and rear cameras plus a 6 axis gyroscope. Several components were made smaller to fit the new iPad.
Screen and input
Both original iPad and iPad 2 have four physical switches, including a home button near the display that returns the user to the main menu, and three plastic physical switches on the sides: wake/sleep, volume up/down, and a third switch for either screen rotation lock or mute. The home button on the iPad 2 is "easier to double tap" than the previous generation of the iPad.Apple reduced the size of the iPad by eliminating the stamped sheet metal frame from the display, integrating new thinner glass technology for the touch screen overlay, and slightly reducing the space between the display and battery. The iPad 2's screen is thinner, lighter, and yet stronger than the original iPad's. The iPad 2 also supports screen mirroring via the digital AV adapter., and through AirPlay as of iOS 5.
Airplay
Airplay is a feature built in to iOS. It allows the iPad to stream videos, photos or audio from any Airplay enabled app to Apple TV, an Airport Express unit or to some third party speakers. Some built in apps such as Photos, Videos and iPod are AirPlay compatible.Power
The iPad has a 25 w·h rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery that lasts 10 hours, like the original iPad. It is charged via USB or included 10 WWatt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
, 2 A
Ampere
The ampere , often shortened to amp, is the SI unit of electric current and is one of the seven SI base units. It is named after André-Marie Ampère , French mathematician and physicist, considered the father of electrodynamics...
power adapter. The battery is 2.5 mm thick, 59% smaller than the original and has three cells instead of two. The improvements allowed the injection-molded plastic support frame to be omitted. The 10 W
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
USB power adapter provides 4x the power of a conventional USB port.
Cameras
The revised tablet adds front- and rear-facing cameras, which allow FaceTimeFaceTime
FaceTime is a video calling software application and related protocol developed by Apple for supported mobile devices running the iOS, in addition to Macintosh computers running Mac OS X 10.6.6 and higher...
video calls with the iPhone 4
IPhone 4
The iPhone 4 is a touchscreen slate smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is the fourth generation iPhone, and successor to the iPhone 3GS. It is particularly marketed for video calling , consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music, and games, and for general web and e-mail...
, fourth-generation iPod Touch
IPod Touch
The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line...
and Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
computers (running Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
10.6.6 or later with a webcam). The 0.3 MP front camera shoots VGA-quality 30 frame/s video and VGA-quality still photos. The 0.7 MP back camera can shoot 720p
720p
720p is the shorthand name for 1280x720, a category of High-definition television video modes having a resolution of 1080 or 720p and a progressive scan...
HD video at 30 frame/s and has a 5x digital zoom
Digital zoom
Digital zoom is a method of decreasing the apparent angle of view of a digital photographic or video image. Digital zoom is accomplished by cropping an image down to a centered area with the same aspect ratio as the original, and usually also interpolating the result back up to the pixel...
. Both shoot photo in a 4:3 fullscreen aspect ratio. The rear camera shoots video in 16:9 widescreen to match the 720p standard, although only the central 4:3 part of the recording is shown on the screen during recording. The forward facing camera shoots in 4:3.
Apple A5 processor
The iPad 2 added a dual core Apple A5 processorApple A5
The Apple A5 is a package on package system-on-a-chip designed by Apple and manufactured by Samsung to replace the Apple A4. The chip commercially debuted with the release of Apple's iPad 2 tablet, and also powers the iPhone 4S...
that Apple claims doubles processing speed and has graphics processing that is up to nine times faster than the previous iPad.
iPad with 3G + Wi-Fi
3G versions of the iPad 2 offer CDMA2000CDMA2000
CDMA2000 is a family of 3G mobile technology standards, which use CDMA channel access, to send voice, data, and signaling data between mobile phones and cell sites. The set of standards includes: CDMA2000 1X, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. A, and CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. B...
support for customers using the device on a CDMA network (e.g. Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless
Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, is one of the largest mobile network operators in the United States. The network has 107.7 million subscribers as of 2011, making it the largest wireless service provider in America....
in the United States) or GSM/UMTS support for customers using the device on a GSM/UMTS network (e.g., AT&T Mobility
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
in the United States or Orange in Europe).
The iPad Wi-Fi + 3G model includes an A-GPS receiver for tracking the user's location given permission. Also, the iPad 2 3G model includes a plastic cap-like band at the top on the back for the 3G antenna. The metallic grille for the microphone is replaced with a matching plastic black grille on the 3G model.
Size and weight
The device is 15% lighter and 33% thinner than the original iPad, it is thinner than the iPhone 4IPhone 4
The iPhone 4 is a touchscreen slate smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is the fourth generation iPhone, and successor to the iPhone 3GS. It is particularly marketed for video calling , consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music, and games, and for general web and e-mail...
by 0.5 mm.
The Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
version is 1.33 lb (603.3 g). Both the GSM and CDMA versions (known respectively as the AT&T and Verizon
Verizon Wireless
Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, is one of the largest mobile network operators in the United States. The network has 107.7 million subscribers as of 2011, making it the largest wireless service provider in America....
versions in the US) differ in weight slightly due to the mass difference between the GSM and CDMA cellular radios, with the GSM model at 1.35 lb (612.3 g) and the CDMA model at 1.34 lb (607.8 g).
The size of the iPad 2 is also less than the original iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
at only 9.50×7.31×0.34 in (241.2×185.7×8.8 mm), compared to the original iPad's size at 9.56×7.47×0.5 in (242.8×189.7×13.4 mm).
Reception
The iPad 2 was met with positive reception for its sleeker design compared to the original iPad and the iPhone 4, as well as the new A5 dual-core processor for improved performances and the addition of a CDMA 3G model alongside the GSM 3G model, as well as its high capacity battery. Despite the praise given to the iPad 2, reception towards the two cameras on the device was mixed, comparing the quality of both cameras to the two cameras on the fourth generation iPod touch, and noting that the screen resolution, which has remained the same, could have been higher than its predecessor.See also
- Tablet computerTablet computerA tablet computer, or simply tablet, is a complete mobile computer, larger than a mobile phone or personal digital assistant, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen...
– general tablet computers. - Comparison of e-book readers
- Comparison of portable media playersComparison of portable media playersThe following comparison of portable media players compares general and technical information for notable digital playback devices.- General :- Technical specifications :- Syncing and transfer :- Wifi Connectivity :- Audio formats :...
- Comparison of tablet PCsComparison of tablet PCsBelow is a list of presently available and upcoming tablet computers grouped by intended audience and form factor.-Media tablets:Media tablets designed for entertainment are compared in the following tables.-8" screen and larger :...
- Comparison of ARM tabletsComparison of ARM tabletsThis is a comparison of tablet computers which processors are ARM-based.-Tablets:-Systems on chips:This table compares the system-on-a-chip used in the above tablets.-See also:*ARM Holdings*Comparison of tablet computers...
- List of iOS devices
External links
- iPad subsite at Apple
- Smart Cover subsite at Apple
- iPad 2 launch event
- iPad 2 tech specs
- iPad 2 on Apple Wiki