iPad 2’s Thinness and Pricing is Making Samsung Rethink Their Tablet Strategy

Apple launched the iPad 2 just two days back and its already sending shockwaves through various Android tablet makers. Samsung’s executive vice president of mobile division, Lee Don-joo was the first to come out and acknowledge it today. Yonhap News Agency posted the following after an interview with the executive:
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Initial Hands-on Impressions of iPad 2

Apple allowed some hands-on time with the new iPad 2 for journalist after its introduction on Wednesday. Many journalists have posted their initial impressions after playing with the iPad 2 for sometime. Most tested the performance and also new applications like FaceTime and Photo Booth. Initial takeaway from hands-on time with the new iPad 2 is as follows.
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Rumor Checklist for March 2nd Apple Press Event

Before the March 2nd Apple press event many rumors were floating around the blogosphere about what Apple will announce at the event, which was mainly aimed at iPad. There were four main rumors about the event including iPad 2 launch, MobileMe update, iOS 5 introduction and smaller/cheaper iPhone announcement. Out of the four rumors only one came true the iPad 2 launch.
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Olympus SZ-30MR First Ever Camera to Capture Full HD Video and 16-Megapixel Stills Simultaneously

Olympus has introduced two new super zoom cameras SZ-30MR and SZ-20. The SZ-30MR has 24x wide optical zoom (25-600mm) and is the first camera ever to offer simultaneous recording of 1080p Full HD movies and 16 Megapixel still photos using Dual Engine TruePic III+ image processor. On the other hand SZ-20 has 12.5X optical zoom (24-300mm) and TruePic III+ image processor. Common features on SZ-30MR and SZ-20 include:
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Apple Introduces Thinner, Lighter and Faster iPad 2

Apple today introduced iPad 2, the next generation tablet. 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.
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Live Coverage: Apple March 2, iPad 2 Press Event at 10AM PST/ 1PM EST

We will be posting detailed information about all the products Apple announced today on TechzTalk. Check it out for sure.

• That's it from the keynote. Now its hand-on time with the new hardware.
  
• He adds "The hardware and software need to intertwine more than they do on a PC. We think we're on the right path with this."
  
• Steve is back up and he says "This is worth repeating. It's in Apple's DNA that technology is not enough. It's tech married with the liberal arts and the humanities. Nowhere is that more true than in the post-PC products. Our competitors are looking at this like it's the next PC market. That is not the right approach to this. These are pos-PC devices that need to be easier to use than a PC, more intuitive."
  
• Steve is now showing introductory video on iPad 2.
  
• "We think 2011 is clearly the year of iPad 2."
  
• Steve is back on stage "So iPad 2 -- amazing product. Faster, lighter, thinner. Cameras and gyro. iOS 4.3 and FaceTime. iMovie and GaragrBand. 3G on AT&T and Verizon. Same battery life. Same prices. Black and white. Smart Covers."
  
• GarageBand will also be available on March 11th for $4.99. For that price its a awesome piece of software.
  
• Now GarageBand demo by Xander Soren. The app looks so perfect on iPad, you can play Grand Piano, drums and guitar on the iPad.
  
• Next is GarageBand for iPad. It has got touch instruments, you can plug in a guitar if you want, but it's got touch instruments. Guitar amps and effects, 8 track recording and mixing, 250+ loops and compatible with Mac version.
  
• Steve is back on stage, he says "It's awesome. 1.3 lbs... it blows my mind, this stuff."
  
• iMovie on iPad is similar to app on the iPhone, but only better. It will be available on March 11th for $4.99.
  
• Editing a movie on the iPad looks really easy and the touchscreen actually makes it easier.
  
• Randy Ubillos is demoing the iMovie for iPad and it looks gorgeous on iPad.
  
• iPad also get iMovie. It will come with precision editor, multitrack audio recording, new themes, AirPlay to Apple TV and HD video editing.
  
• Scott is demoing Photo Booth and FaceTime.
  
• The iPad comes with new cameras and they also have new software for the cameras including Photo Booth with real time effects and FaceTime.
  
• iOS 4.3 will bring Nitro JavaScript engine for Safari, iTunes home sharing, Airplay improvements, preference for iPad switch and Personal hotspot for iPhone 4.
  
• Along with iPad 2 Apple is releasing iOS 4.3 and Scott Forstall is on the stage.
  

• Second is a cover, Apple calls it "Smart Cover". It a flap that covers the front of the device. it is magnetic and can form various shapes. it will cost $39 for poly case and $69 for leather.
  
• First is a $39 HDMI adopter that allows 1080p video output and works with all applications.
  
• iPad 2 will ship on March 11th in US and March 25th around the world. Now Steve is showing accessories for the new iPad.
  
• Steve points out that 5 of the 6 iPad models are cheaper than competition. All the upcoming 10-inch tablets have a starting price of $799.
  
• Prices will remain same with WiFi 16GB model starting at $499 going up to $829 for 64GB WiFi+3G model.
  

• It will be available in black and white colors on both AT&T and Verizon.
  
• iPad 2 is thinner than iPhone, its just 8.8mm thin compared to 13.4mm for iPad and 9.3mm for iPhone 4. It is also lighter at 1.3 pounds.
  
• Steve says Apple has built in some cameras for video.
  
• The A5 processor has dual-core, CPU is up to 2X faster, graphics is 9X faster and has same low power as A4.
  
• It is an all new design, a complete redesign and features A5 processor.
  
• Steve is back on stage. Today we're going to introduce iPad 2.
  
• Now Steve is showing a video about 2010 "The year of the iPad", in which everyone is talking about iPad at school, in hospital and offices.
  
• He says that App Store has 65,000 iPad app compared to 100 app Honeycomb (android) has.
  
• Steve is now showing some iPad app available in the App Store today.
  
• Steve calls the iPad third post-PC era blockbuster product after iPod and iPhone. Over 15 million sold in first 9 months. He is talking about sales figures highlighting how far ahead iPad is.
  
• Also Apple shipped 100 million iPhones this quarter.
  
• iTunes now has 200 million accounts and developers have made $2 billion via App store.
  
• He starts with iBook store announces that Random House is bringing 17,000 books to the store and over 2500 publishers in the iBook store now.
  
• Steve says we have been working on this product for a while and I didnt want to miss it.
  
• The crowd has gone crazy and Steve gets a standing ovation.
  
• Lights are down and surprise Steve is on stage.
  
• Announcement - Ladies and and gentlemen, our presentation will begin shortly. Please switch devices to silent mode.
  

It almost time the lights are dimming.
Quite a large crowd for iPad 2 announcement.
Everyone is in the hall the keynote should start soon.
Please click on the Digg button to help us spread the word.

Less than a hours to go. The live coverage will start at 10AM PST / 1PM EST.

We will be doing live coverage of Apple iPad event today. The image on the invitation clearly shows that Apple will launch the second-generation iPad today, but rumors are that the event will not be iPad only. Along with iPad 2, Apple might announce iOS 5 and updated MobileMe service. So, join use at 10AM PST/ 1PM EST / 6PM London / 11:30PM Mumbai for complete coverage of the Apple iPad 2 event on live.TechzTalk.com.

Till the event starts you can read the recent rumors about the iPad 2 and March 2 event below:

• Rumor Roundup: Apple March 2nd iPad Press Event

Rumor Roundup: Apple March 2nd iPad Press Event

Last week, Apple sent out invites for a March 2nd press event and it’s very obvious from the image on the invite that the event will focus on iPad 2 launch. However, it is rumored that the press event will not be only about iPad. Apple is going to launch few new products at the event along with the iPad and these products will be related to iPad and iOS. So, here is the list of rumored products Apple will announce tomorrow at the press event:
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Microsoft Executive: Every Executive in the PC Industry Should Use an Apple Notebook

Rahul Sood, former CTO of HP gaming PC business and now general manager at Microsoft Xbox division, today posted on FaceBook criticism targeting the PC industry. Sood basically says that there is not a single PC maker that can match design and appeal Apple products have. He wrote, “Every executive in the PC industry should use an Apple notebook. Apple doesn’t just design products they designed their business & process.”
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Apple Working on Lower Priced iPhone Says COO Tim Cook

In an interview with Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi, Apple executives COO Tim Cook, CFO Peter Oppenheimer and VP Eddy Cue talked about iPhone, iPad and market expansion. Cook was very happy with the iPhone growth and the halo effect it brings for other Apple products calling iPhone “the mother of all halos”. The most interesting part of the interview was Cook confirming Apple’s plans for a lower priced iPhone. The analyst wrote:
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Apple Should Stop Calling 13-inch Model MacBook Pro

When Apple introduced the aluminum Unibody design in October 2008 they simply called the 13-inch model MacBook, whereas the 15- and 17-inch models were called MacBook Pro. The MacBook Pro had discrete graphics and faster processors, while the 13-inch MacBook came with GeForce 9400M GPU that shared memory with the main system. However, in 2009 Apple decided that all aluminum Unibody laptops would be branded as MacBook Pro, even though the 13-inch model didn’t come with Pro features like discrete graphics.
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