Learn about the new iPad 2

15 million iPads were sold in 2010 in just 9 months.
So why would you want to become a member of the iPad owning community?

WHAT'S NEW?

The basics are that it's
* 33% thinner
* 15% lighter
* TWO cameras - front (VGA resolution) and rear (720p HD resolution)
* an integrated gyroscope enabling access to a wider range of games
* available in black or white

It's also got:
* Apple's new dual-core A5 processor - supposed to be twice as fast as processor in original iPad
* an upgraded version of Apple's mobile OS, iOS 4.3
* graphics which are claimed to deliver performance which is 9 times faster
* the same battery - which maintains performance levels
* the new Face Time App (for video calling)
* the PhotoBooth app (for capturing photos and videos and performing simple edits)

Plus it can connect to an HDTV display and transfer video via an HDMI-out cable

WHO'S GOING TO LIKE THE IPAD 2?

In short - it's going to be a much more attractive proposition for:
* the business market who use video conferencing
* families and friends who want to make video calls
* connecting HD videos to HDTVs
* gameplayers

The new iPad 2 is now available from the online store in
the USA;
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK
North America: Canada, Mexico,
Australasia: Australia, New Zealand
Asia: Japan

The basics - the first and MAJOR thing you need to decide is whether to go for

* EITHER a wifi only version (ie run it off your high speed wifi router at home and through wifi hotspots when you're out
* OR Have the ability to connect to 3G cellular networks with either AT&T or Verizon Wireless in the USA.

HOWEVER In the UK and elsewhere you have a MUCH bigger choice of options for your 3G connection (UK: options include O2, Three, Orange and Vodaphone who each offer options for daily rates, weekly rates and monthly rates for downloads. There is no requirement for an ongoing contract.)

Wifi only: 16GB1 $499 or £399 | 32GB1 $599 or £479 | 64GB1 $699 or £559

AT&T: 16GB1 $629 | 32GB1 $729 | 64GB1 $829

Verizon: 16GB1 $629 | 32GB1 $729 | 64GB1 $829

Apple asserted at it the original launch that these were unbelievable prices. Their competitors are now finding out what they mean.

I have one thing to say. I bought the 3G version (which is amazing considering my mobile phone has been described as an antique). However I've been smitten with Apple ever since I did very thorough research before my buying my 27" iMac (which doesn't make a noise, nor does it have fans which threaten to blow up like its PC predecessors) - and 3G just seemed like the right thing to do - so I did.

However everybody I know who bought the wifi only WISHES they'd bought the 3G! So there - I can't say more than that.

The other thing you need to know is that you don't need to sign up for a package for 3G which will prove expensive. You can buy access to it as and when you need it - IF you go with a network which offers this facility - like I did. I can buy access a day at a time. Of course it's more expensive relatively speaking - but I operate it on a day to day basis off my wifi network at home.

The next big question is how big a hard disc to buy

The answer is the same as it's always been when buying new kit. Go as big as you can afford - you will never regret it. My mental budget limit cut me off at the 32GB model - however if I'd been very into movies I think I might have regretted that.

Surprise, surprise - I think they've noticed the minor industry which has been iPad cases and decided to have some of that!

So it also gets a brand new case - called a (wait for it!) - Smartcover !

It's about providing protection for the screen at the same time as creating a tool for making it easier to use on your lap. Conventional covers are going to find this one hard to beat!

The "Smart" aspects are that it:
* automatically wakes iPad 2 when it's opened
* puts it to sleep when it's closed.
* folds into a stand for typing or viewing videos

The idea is that it should provide protection for the screen (very sensible) while at the same time maintaining the slim profile.

It's also got a "a unique self-aligning magnetic hinge" which makes it easy to take on and off - which by and large has not been a feature of early cases.

The case also has a soft microfiber lining = and that screen needs a good polish on a regular basis so that's a nice added feature. I'm not a happy bunny when I go out without my glasses lens cloth which is what I use to clean the screen of finger marks at present.

The covers are available in "vibrant" polyurethane for $39 or rich leather for $69 in a range of colors. They also have a red one where proceeds help support the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

This brings improved home sharing between iPad, iPhone and iPod

System Requirements
Software: Mac OS X version 10.5 or later | QuickTime 7.6 or later; Support for HE-AAC requires QuickTime 7.6.4 or later | Safari 4.0.3 or later
200MB of available disk space
HD TV episodes can only be rented in the United States
Ping is available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and United States

More to come on this front! Updating on a regular basis....

It would appear that the appearance of Steve Jobs on stage sidetracked the topic of discussion for a little while

The launch in Europe is planned for March 25th

One of the big issues which crops up is how well does the Apple iPad stand up comparison with the "me too" developments which emerge after every new Apple development and product comes to market.

These reviews look at a very specific tablet comparison - with the Motorola Zoom. The current prediction is that the iPad will still be the best selling tablet of all. It's thinner and cheaper than the Zoom.

The inference is also that Windows tablets are going to be struggling to catch up by the time they get to a market already sewn up by iPad and Android tablets

Make no mistake - children LOVE the iPad. It's child-sized. It's child-friendly. However a cautionary note - it's also very addictive.

Not a reason not to get one - but certainly one to be mindful of

However the iPad has also proven to be a piece of kit which reaches out to all kinds of children. It's now clear that Apple has created an adaptive learning technology which works very well with children with autism. It doesn't cure autism but it does help.

Now with Garageband teenagers are going to be spending hours making music!

The iPad is also brilliant for showing picture books. Ebooks are well established now. Did you know 100 million books have now been downloaded via iBooks? These include a big range of books for kids - meaning the iPad is fast becoming the book of choice for children - and you don't have to find a place to put them all!

I've been covering the iPad from the perspective of artists for some time - before I acquired my very own in the Autumn of 2010. Which was shortly after my encounter with Ms Wimperis and her iPad!

I have to tell you visual demonstration by an artists leaves you in absolutely no doubt as to their value as a business / portfolio tool when talking to collectors or galleries. Which means that if you're a professional artist this is a legitimate business expense!

I've now got three sketching and painting apps on mine. So that's me and David Hockney happily sketching away. My very first iPad sketch got featured in an article about my sketchblog in The Times newspaper!

Then there's the gallery of art app.....have I told you about how brilliant the screen is for looking at images?

The only problem so far is Google's new ArtProject won't run properly on the iPad