Perfecting the wheel

Apple announces the iPad 2

Why reinvent the wheel when you can perfect it instead?

Today the iPad 2 was announced. The device looks absolutely incredible.

Most people will comment on its new front and back cameras as a major feature but that’s not where I feel the product succeeds. The iPad 2 is at the heart of what Apple does so well to stay ahead of competition; it is an improvement in aspects of the product that people value most.

With the iPad 1, Apple nailed a new form of tablet computing. With the iPad 2, Apple has nailed how to better that experience. They first invented the ‘what’, now they’re improving the ‘how.’

The iPad 2 has a faster processor, new graphics capabilities, double the RAM, new screen technology, 10hr battery life, and is both thinner and lighter – all at the same price.

We can list and compare specs but the brilliance of the iPad 2 comes down to how ‘good’ the device feels, which, in the end, is all the customer truly cares about. I truly feel that the faster processor, new graphics capabilities, and RAM increase will make the already snappy device seem flawless. I think its new light and thin form factor will make it more comfortable and natural to use. These changes are easy to list and sound fairly straight forward, but they will have profound effects when one uses the device. The skeptics will still complain about the lack of Flash, still object to no built-in USB ports, and will still criticize the so-called ‘closed’ app store, but I truly believe that once someone picks up an iPad 2, just like so many did with the iPad 1, they’ll only then understand its value and its potential.

The iPad 2 seems to be better in all the ways that matter and I think it’s going to do phenomenally well. I can’t wait to get my hands on one and I look forward to seeing how well it’s adopted.

My prediction: it’ll sell 40 million units in the first year.