“Apple’s iPad 2, unveiled by CEO Steve Jobs in a surprise appearance Wednesday at an invitation-only media event, is thinner, lighter, faster and more full-featured, and incorporates enough changes and updates to maintain Apple’s strong sales in the tablet market,” Michael deAgonia reports for Computerworld.
“Even without a resolution bump, the iPad 2’s IPS (in-plane switching) screen should deliver wide viewing angles, with movies and photos looking as good on the new model as on the old,” deAgonia writes. “Hardware is only part of the equation. What makes a tablet successful is the software. After all, when the entire computer is a screen in your hand, there’s nothing left but software. That’s where Apple’s App Store continues to shine. The software available through it is generally of good quality, and there have been no malware outbreaks, as happened with the Android store earlier this week. To be frank, the App Store is what other software stores on other platforms long to be, and with good reason: Overall, there are more than 65,000 apps available for the iPad. When considering the success of iOS devices, this cannot be underestimated, and it’s one reason the debate about whether the iPad can keep up with rivals misses the point.”
deAgonia writes, “Other tablets may have newer hardware, more RAM or extra features; none has the App Store.”
“This is a device that has redefined how people use computers, and its reach is not limited to just consumers. Companies are rolling out iPads instead of more expensive laptops; healthcare facilities are using them. So are law offices and financial firms. In less than a year, it has found a home in the workplace,” deAgonia writes. “Expect to see more iPad 2s showing up at work as soon as they’re available… It’s safe to say this model will be another hit for Apple and sell very, very well. Don’t believe me? Just wait a week and watch for lines at the local Apple store.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]