Apple today announced that iPad 2, the next generation of its magical device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and much more, will be available tomorrow at 5pm local time at all 236 Apple retail stores in the US and through the Apple Store beginning at 1am PT. Every customer who buys an iPad 2 at an Apple retail store will be offered free Personal Setup service, helping them customize their iPad 2 by setting up email, loading new apps from the App Store and more, so they’ll be up and running with their new iPad 2 before they leave the store. iPad 2 will also be available beginning at 5pm local time at AT&T, Best Buy, Target, Verizon Wireless, Walmart and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime and Photo Booth, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life that users have come to expect. iPad 2 is available in black or white, features models that run on AT&T’s and Verizon’s 3G networks, and introduces the innovative iPad 2 Smart Cover in a range of vibrant polyurethane and rich leather colors.

iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in the US on March 11 at the following suggested retail prices:
• $499 for the 16GB model
• $599 for the 32GB model
• $699 for the 64GB model.

iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available at the following suggested retail prices:
• $629 for the 16GB model
• $729 for the 32GB model
• $829 for the 64GB model.

iMovie and GarageBand for iPad apps are available today for $4.99 each from the iTunes App Store. The Smart Cover is available in a range of colors in vibrant polyurethane for $39 or rich leather for $69.

iPad 2 will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK on March 25; and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.

Source: Apple Inc.