Thinner, Lighter, Faster iPad 2

KOMPAS.com - Apple chief executive Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance for the launch of the second generation of the company's 'Jesus Tablet', the iPad 2. The company's inspirational chief executive, who has been gravely ill in recent months was plainly very thin as he took to the stage in San Francisco.

However, he launched into a vigorous presentation, mocking Apple's rivals and the critics who had doubted the wisdom of launching the original iPad a year ago.

Since then the company has sold more than 15million of the tablet computers, despite a high price ranging from $499 to £829 (£400 to almost £700), while rivals have been racing to catch up. Mr Jobs said: 'Today we're here to talk about Apple's third post-PC blockbuster product.

'That's how we think about these things. We started with the iPod, then we added the iPhone, and then the iPad. Every one has been a blockbuster.

'When we said the iPad was magical, people laughed at us. But it's turned out to be magical. And people questioned whether it was an "unbelievable" price - well ask our competitors.'

He said many now consider the iPad the most successful consumer product ever launched with a market share of more than 90per cent and a device that had left rivals 'flummoxed'. However, he said the iPad 2 represents a major step forward with a 'completely new design'.

It is thinner, lighter and dramatically faster than the original, while it has cameras on the front and back for the first time to allow for video conferencing.

Mr Jobs said: 'What is iPad 2. What have we learned? It is an all new design. It's a completely new design. And it's dramatically faster.'

The improvements are built around a completely new computer chip it calls the A5 and a dual core processor, which is the sort of technology found in high performing lap-tops.

The graphics are said to be up to nine times faster than in the original iPad. Despite the many enhancements, the new version is 33per cent thinner - at just 8.8mm, which makes it even slimmer than the latest iPhone 4.