The long anticipated launch of Apple’s iPad 2 arrives today. Apple is holding a media event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco to make the announcement. The hugely successful original iPad was launched in 2010 and re-defined tablet computing.
Table computing has been adopted by business users, and this segment now represents around 15% of Apple’s total revenue. This is something that especially worries RIM, the makers of Blackberry PlayBook, who have been the leaders in mobile devices for business users. So what comes next is important not only for Apple, but for the whole electronics industry in general, as consumers, who now have the choice of a table computer, redefine how they use not only their personal computers, but also their smartphones.
So what today’s presentation might bring is being watched eagerly by apple fans, but especially by all the tablet computer competitors, that have struggled to launch devices that can even come close to competing with the iPad.
What should we expect from the iPad2? What features could possibly make the iPad 2 any better? There has been a lot of buzz about what this updated table will feature. But Apple’s job is not easy, and they will need to surprise us if as consumers we are to be wowed. In many cases some of the features that need to be added to the next generation iPad 2 already exist on other competing tablets that have been launched through out the past year. One of the main features being front and back facing cameras for photos and video conferencing or FaceTime in Apple terms.
So the front facing camera is a must. A back facing camera for taking photos with at least 8 mega pixels and flash would be nice. And we would also be very grateful for the ability to take high definition videos.
With all the new gadgets we are hoping to get on the iPad2, we definitely will need some extra processing power. So please Apple, include a minimum of a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor.
As the Apple iPad is basically a screen with one button, what else can be added that is not software driven? Maybe adding a slot built onto the device where an SD card can be inserted? Presently to be able to read SD cards on the current iPad, you must purchase a small adaptor that plugs into the charge plug. This involves carrying this tiny adaptor everywhere you go, which is not exactly very practical. However, Apple does make an extra hefty profit on every adaptor sold, so maybe when thinking about their bottom line, they will not think it such a good idea to integrate an SD card reader into the iPad 2.
Apple could even surprise us by changing the shape or size of the nex-gen iPad. Maybe the will make it round? They might try making it lighter and maybe even thinner? Although, I would take added battery life before trying to make it any thinner. Then there is the screen. How about improved resolution and improved touch screen capabilities? The possibilities are endless. An upgrade to the iOS would be great as the old iPad user would benefit by downloading the new software.
With all this being said, Apple’s rivals eagerly await today’s announcement, and will be quick to match and even better the features on their competing tables. But will any of them be successful in toppling Apple commanding market share and domination of the tablet-computing sector? Stay tuned on Unlockology for more news.
