Apple CEO Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance at Wednesday’s product launch of the iPad 2 in San Francisco.
Jobs has been on an indefinite medical leave since mid-January. Jobs received a standing ovation when he walked on stage.
“We’ve been working on this product for awhile, and I just didn’t want to miss today,” Jobs said during the event.
The latest version of the iPad will go on sale Mar. 11 in the United States and Mar. 25 in at least 26 other countries. The built-in processor will be faster than the original’s and will come with two cameras which allows for use of the “FaceTime” feature. Jobs said the 8.8 millimeter thick iPad 2 is thinner than the iPhone 4 and the 13.4 millimeter-thick original iPad.
The price range of the new iPads, $499 to $829, is the same range as the original iPad.
The iPad 2 comes with two color options, white and black, and utilizes a new ‘Smart Cover’ product to protect the screen. The ‘Smart Cover’ wakes up a sleeping iPad when removed and can be used as a keyboard stand.
Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Tim Cook, is running the day-to-day operations of the Cupertino, Calif. company until Jobs returns.
Read more recent ATVN articles about the iPad and iPad 2:
“iPad 2” production begins
iPad-only newspaper release
