Tablet PCs were the main attractions at this year's CES and MWC. Though smartphone and computer vendors introduced their latest tablet PC at the exhibitions, Apple, the company that brought tablet PCs to the forefront, did not unveil the next generation iPad until March 2.
The iPad 2 made improvements in industrial design, hardware and operating system, and is also priced competitively like its predecessor. Sales for the iPad and iPad 2 are projected to combine for more than 35 million units in 2011.
iPad users in 2010 were mainly business professionals, which was a small market. Since the business segment is expected to see more competition from other tablet PC such as RIM's PlayBook, the iPad 2 aims to open up the consumer segment. At the launch press conference, Apple focused on the iPad's multimedia entertainment capabilities such as iMovies. The iPad 2 also includes outer covers to create color differentiations similar to that of the iPod music player.
Sales of the iPad 2 in the consumer market will determine whether Apple will ship more than 40 million tablet PC in 2011 and grab a 70% share of the global market.