Enterprise Mobility: Apple iPad 2 Aims to Battle Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Others

Apple formally announced its next-generation iPad in a San Francisco event March 2. Officially dubbed the iPad 2, the tablet offers hardware upgrades that Apple hopes will sway customers away from new, high-powered competitors such as the Motorola Xoom. Apple CEO Steve Jobs took the event stage to unveil the iPad 2. "Is 2011 going to be the year of the copycats? I think if we did nothing, maybe a little bit," he told the audience. "But we haven't been resting on our laurels." In addition to being thinner and lighter, the iPad 2 includes a dual-core processor, built-in gyroscope, front- and rear-facing cameras, and the option of either black or white casing. Apple plans on making the device available March 11, with models that will work on both AT&T's and Verizon's 3G networks. During his talk, Jobs couldn't resist a swipe at the Xoom, which runs Android 3.0 and retails for $799. Citing the pricing for the iPad 2's various models, he said, "Five of these six models are less expensive than $799. We only have one model that's more expensive than $799." Between keeping the same pricing, and the new hardware and software tweaks, Apple hopes the iPad 2 will hold the company's line against the tablet competitors due to flood the market this year.