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Article IndexBY BOB HOLT
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
The unveiling of Apple’s iPad2 this past Wednesday brought a standing ovation from the crowd present for the event in San Francisco. But the attendees may have risen to their feet just as much for the presentation’s surprise master of ceremonies.
Steve Jobs, who is taking a leave of absence from the company, returned to unveil the new product, which is expected to be a hot seller. It was the Apple CEO’s first appearance at an Apple event since announcing his third medical leave from the company, and an unexpected one at that.
CNET News reports Jobs appeared at ease with the crowd, soaking up the warm reception when first entering the stage, as well as commanding the role of master of ceremonies for the hour-and-15-minute presentation. "We've been working on this product for a while, and I didn't want to miss today," he said.
In addition, Apple took the wraps of the latest version of its mobile operating system, iOS 4.3. This upgrade brings a few new features like AirPlay support for apps that will include photo slideshows and porting audio from apps to other devices. It supports iPad, iPhone (GSM), and iPod Touch.
Appearing in his standard black turtleneck and jeans, Jobs looked gaunt, as he has in recent years. But he was energetic, with no visible diminishment in the enthusiasm he has long shown when introducing new products.
The new iPad is built around a new chip that Apple designed, called A5, which is far faster than its predecessor. Jobs said video performance would be nine times faster. At 8 millimeters, the new iPad is one third thinner than the original. Jobs said that at 1.3 pounds, it is two ounces lighter than its predecessor, yet it has the same, 10-hour battery life.
Jobs said Apple now has 200 million accounts with customers around the world, and said software developers have made more than $2 billion from sales through the company's App Store.
Apple overhauled the iPad in hopes of staying ahead of rivals who have introduced competing tablet computers. The iPad 2’s front and rear facing cameras allow video conversations, and it comes in black and white versions. The New York Times reports it is to be available on March 11 in the United States at prices ranging from $499 to $829. The new iPad’s 3G models will support connections from both AT&T and Verizon.
The iPad has also become a major force in the publishing world. Apple said more than 2,500 book publishers have joined its iBookstore and more than 100 million e-books have been downloaded.
Jobs disclosed that e-books published by Bertelsmann AG's Random House Inc., the country's largest consumer book publisher, are for the first time being sold directly via the iBookstore
According to the Wall Street Journal, Gene Munster, a Piper Jaffray analyst, called Jobs' appearance at the event "huge," saying investors have worried about the CEO's health, especially after the recent publication of paparazzi photos of a withered-looking Jobs.
