Apple Unveils Dual-Core iPad 2 Running iOS 4.3 -- Redmondmag.com

Apple Unveils Dual-Core iPad 2 Running iOS 4.3

By David Nagel
03/02/2011

Apple today unveiled its next-generation mobile device, announcing that it plans to ship the new dual-core iPad 2 next week.

The iPad 2 will feature a substantial processor upgrade, plus new multimedia capabilities. It also will be lighter and thinner than the first version, while retaining its 10-hour battery life, the company announced at a San Francisco event.

The product is based on Apple's new dual-core, 1 GHz A5 processor, which replaces the single-core A4 of the first-generation iPad. Consequently, the new model has an improved CPU and graphics performance over its predecessor, according to Apple. It retains the same 9.7-inch, 1,024 x 768 screen as its predecessor, but is "33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter," Apple reported. It also will include a front-facing VGA (640 x 480) camera and a rear-facing camera capable of capturing 720p/30 video.

Other new features include:

Built-in gyroscope
Support for FaceTime personal videoconferencing
5x digital zoom on the rear-facing camera
Support for AT&T and Verizon 3G (on 3G-capable models)
HSUPA support (for 3G models), and
HDMI video mirroring with HD output (via optional adapter).

The iPad 2 will run on the iOS 4.3 mobile operating system, which Apple also unveiled today. This latest mobile OS release includes an enhanced, better performing version of Apple's Safari Web browser with the Nitro JavaScript engine. It also has options for using the side switch, such as rotation locking. Apple added improvements to iTunes and AirPlay, as well.

Better performance results will derive from the Nitro JavaScript engine improvements, according to Apple.

"The Nitro JavaScript engine that Apple pioneered on the desktop is now built into WebKit, the technology at the heart of Safari, and more than doubles the performance of JavaScript execution using just-in-time compilation," the company explained. "With the Nitro JavaScript engine, Safari provides an even better mobile browser experience working faster to support the interactivity of complex sites you visit on a daily basis."

In addition, iOS 4.3 adds support for "personal hotspots," allowing users to share their cellular connections with up to five devices. However, the availability of this feature will vary with the user's data plan. Users can share a connection in combinations that can include up to three devices via Wi-Fi, up to three via Bluetooth and one via wired USB, but no more than five total.

The iPad 2 is expected to be available on March 11 in black or white. The base Wi-Fi model, with 16 GB of RAM, will run at $499. The top-end model, with 64 GB of RAM and support for both Wi-Fi and 3G, will run at $829. Other configurations are also available, with and without 3G. Further information can be found here.

About the Author

Dave Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's educational technology online publications and electronic newsletters.

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