iPad 2 release date announced

The release date for iPad 2 has been announced, and its sooner than you would have expected! The next generation of the Apple tablet will be available from Friday, March 11 2011 in stores. The device was announced last week in San Francisco at the Yerba Buena Center for Arts andits bound to beat the sales records of its ancestor, the iPad.

Apple won’t allow you to preorder until early Friday morning. That's perhaps one strategy to see people queue up in long lines outside stores to get their hands on the latest aspirational gadget from Apple.

iPad 2 quick specs

The iPad 2 includes a faster processor, one front-facing camera – for video chat – and one back-facing camera, with HD video capability. This means that users will be able to fully utilize services like FaceTime, Skype on their device to make voice calls

The device, which will ship in white and black versions (yes its coming in white too!), will be available through AT&T and Verizon; each carrier is offering its own 3G data plan, with Verizon offering four different price points, and AT&T offering two. (A rundown on the data plans is available here.) .

Price

Meanwhile, iPad 2 price tag will remain the same across the board: A Wi-Fi-only iPad 2 will set you back $499; 3G models start at $629.