iPad2 is out - Specs

So iPad2 is out. My predictions were not off by a lot, and as I predicted it is not the huge step everybody expected, and Apple will do that in two steps, except they selected a hardware upgrade instead of a firmware one which is NOT wise.

Apple used a dual-core A5 (A5 can be Quad core I predicted underpowered A9 Quad). Front and Back Camera, No retina, No SDCard, improved speaker.

This is typical Apple and will allow them to push another incremental hardware when needed.

Strategically this will disturb and slow down the competition. Apple is using iPad2 to "Stake their claim" and maintain, if not increase, territory. Remind me of Go Game strategy.

iPad2 Specs are here.

In Apple terms "Faster, lighter, thinner. Cameras and gyro. iOS 4.3 and FaceTime. iMovie and GaragrBand for 44.99. 3G on AT&T and Verizon. Same battery life. Same prices. Black and white. Smart Covers."

Competition is still way behind. I see everyday publicity for other tablets, but Apple beats everybody hands down.

Steve Jobs, who looked better, killed any speculation by declaring 2011 as the Apple iPad2 year.

Means no iPad3 in September? Not sure! Apple definition of "year" may be quite different from calendar year. If 50% of people wait for September means around 7-10 Million unsold iPads, $4 Billion and Apple needs to keep things going.

So iPad3 is in the background, ready to pop out in case of competition gaining on Apple. It will certainly be faster again, better graphics and Retina display!

Will Apple use a Minkovskian space time definition of "Year of iPad2" and release an iPad3 in September? I think they will at least announce one. Retina display will be a huge improvement on competition, a quad-core will be a killer and Apple knows how to kill competition.

Competition compare Mashup.