In April 2010, Steve Jobs introduced the iPad, a revolutionary device that combined features of an Apple notebook with that of an iPhone. The iPad was a huge success, selling 3 million devices in just 80 days and almost 15 million in the year of 2010. Jobs described the iPad as "[Apple's] most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price". The iPad was so successful that other tech companies started to develop ideas for their own tablet computers. Google, for example, started to develop Android 3.0 (codenamed "Honeycomb"), an mobile operating system specifically designed for tablet computers. Motorola then developed the Motorola Xoom, a tablet computer that ran Android 3.0. Many believed that Android 3.0 would dominate Apple's iOS in the year 2011 and tablet computers like the Motorola Xoom would overcome the iPad.

However, their predictions were incorrect. On March 2, 2011, Steve Jobs held a keynote address where he summarized the success of the first-generation iPad and introduced a new tablet computer called iPad 2. That's right! In less than year after the first-generation iPad was released, Jobs announced the iPad 2. Just when Google and the other companies thought they had something that could defeat Apple's iPad, Apple releases a new product.

The iPad 2 is truly an amazing device. It contains a dual-core processor, two cameras (front and back), a thinner design (0.34" compared to the 0.5" of the original device), a faster graphics card, and a three-axis gyroscope and accelerometer. Perhaps the best thing about the device is that it still has the same 10-hour battery life with all of these new features added into it.

So why exactly does the iPad 2 have two cameras? Well, one camera faces forward and the other one faces backwards. The one facing backwards allows the user to take pictures and record videos, while the front-facing camera allows the user to video chat with other people.

Wait! The iPad 2 allows you to do WHAT? Yep! It allows you to video chat! Using a special program called Facetime, iPad 2 users can now chat with other Facetime users on an iPhone, iPod Touch, and Macbook. So long as the receiver has the Facetime app, and both of you have a Wi-Fi connection, then you can video chat with each other using your Apple mobile devices. And here's something really cool about the back-facing camera: during a video chat, you can switch between the front camera and the back camera to show your friends where you are, who you're with, and what's going on around you. Now, that is magical!

For anyone who is interested in getting one, you can buy it now at an Apple retail store or online at Apple's website. However, I should probably warn you guys that the iPad 2 disappears very quickly, due to the heavy demand, so if you order one, don't expect it to ship very soon. Apple right now is running low on these new iPads, and it will take 4-5 weeks for them to send it to you.

Uncertain about getting one? That's okay. You can try one out at an Apple retail store and then make your decision. For us Cornell students, the Cornell Store has two sample iPad 2s that you can try out. However, they too are also out of stock on iPad 2s.

While many people are amazed (and also somewhat upset) about the new iPad, there is still the question of "Do you really need it?" Sure, it's got a faster processor, better graphics, a thinner design, and two cameras, but for someone who already has an iPad (like me), is the iPad 2 really necessary? Well...that depends. If you heavily depend on your iPad and use it as a replacement for your laptop (it is possible for you to use the iPad in place of a laptop), then getting the iPad 2 would be very useful. You can now video chat with your friends, take pictures, and record (and edit, if you have the iMovie app) videos. Plus, playing games and surfing the web would be a lot better with the dual-core processor and the improved graphics card. However, for those of you who use your iPad only as a portable entertainment device, then maybe the iPad 2 is not for you. Furthermore, you probably have a Macbook (or some other laptop) that you use to do most of your work, so the iPad 2 may not be helpful to you at all. In addition, are you willing to spend $500 for a new 16GB iPad 2? If you're rich and wealthy, then you're probably willing to spend that much. However, if you're like the majority of us and are trying to save money in these hard times, then you're better off using your $500 for something else.

All in all, it all depends on you. If you're happy with the first-generation iPad, then there is no need to spend another $500 on a new iPad that just has minor upgrades. If you don't own an iPad and are thinking of getting one, then the iPad 2 could be for you. If you use your iPad as a laptop replacement, then the iPad 2 would also be a good choice. But like I said, it just depends on you. As for me, I'm happy with my first-generation iPad. I really don't need a camera on my iPad, since I rarely take pictures. Plus, I prefer video chat on my Macbook.

If you're curious about the iPad 2 and want to try it out, then just go to the Cornell Store (or an Apple retail store), and try it out for yourself. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with it. If you want to learn more about it before trying it out, then go to the Apple website: http://www.apple.com/ipad.