The new iPad 2 will be release in the US on March 11th and on 25th March to the UK and other countries for the same price as the current model. The new model will be lighter and thinner than the current model making it more comfortable for the user to hold or to carry around. A new "smart cover" has been designed to fit over the screen of the iPad using magnets built into the tablet and the cover. When you close the cover over the screen, the iPad goes to sleep and only wakens when you remove the cover from it. The cover comes in a choice of 10 colours and 5 of these covers are made of leather and can be folded to let the iPad stand on it's own making viewing of things like videos and photos hands free. It can also be folded under the ipad to elevate it and make it the perfect angle for typing.

Another new feature to the iPad 2 is the Facetime application. Facetime has been available on the Mac, iPhone 4 and new iPod Touch for a while but now it's on the new iPad 2 giving users the chance to talk to other users face to face and see them in HD quality using the new front facing camera (there's also the rear facing camera for taking photos) with just a touch of a button using a wifi connection. Instead of hearing that your grandkids are now walking, actually see them take their first steps or maybe you'd prefer to see what your mates are getting up to at a party? You can do this if they have Facetime activated and switched on. There really is so many things Facetime can be used for.

For the first time, the iPad will be available in White though personally I always think white looks dirtier, my Macbook for example is more grey now than white and the new dual core A5 chip improves the performance, especially when browsing the web, watching films, playing games or going from app to app. Multitasking is smoother than before and apps load faster. In short, everything works even better than before. Gameplay is boosted by up to 9 times faster too, making gameplay on the iPad 2 smoother and faster then the current model and you'll notice the difference when you are scrolling through photo libraries, editing video, viewing animations and more. All this extra power but still up to 10 hours battery life.

Of course, the new iPad 2 comes with all the great features of the current model but the iPad 2 looks better, possibly due to the new smart cover which means you can pick it up and tuck it under your arm and know that you won't be getting the screen all smudges and finger prints and the screen gets more protection, and of course it's lighter and thinner so a lot more portable than the old model. I never really fancied the old model but I'll certainly be getting the new one, I just have to decide which colour that I fancy.

All in all, Apple have taken a great design and made it better. They have listened to users who wanted two cameras and Facetime and the smart cover is so simple, yet ingenious. I know that if I had just bought an original iPad recently, I would be feeling pretty envious at seeing the new model. Like many other Apple customers, I shall look forward to March 25th when it comes out in the UK but in the back of my mind I shall be wondering what Apple will come up with next to improve it even more......if they can.