Apple's iPad 2: An Incremental Upgrade

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad 2 and the festivities went about as expected. The iPad got two cameras, dropped some girth and introduced some snazzy new covers. Missing from the equation was a USB port and a new display. “We think 2011 is going to be the year of the iPad 2,” said Jobs.

Competition: Android, Samsung, Motoral & RIM

But when you add up all the moving parts, Jobs had every right to be cocky and kick around the competition, notably Android, Samsung, Motorola and RIM. Sure, you could argue that Jobs lowered himself by calling out rivals by name, but the message was received: Apple just ensured that the other tablets are dead on arrival.

“We think 2011 is going to be the year of the iPad 2,” said Jobs.

iPad 2 in Stores Soon

The iPad 2 will hit the U.S. market March 11 and global markets March 26. The iPad 2 “will be everywhere,” said Jobs. That fact means it’s going to be very hard for rivals to come close to competing with Apple.

The Art of War goes like this:

• Apple’s iPad 2 will hit stores before rivals.
• Most of the performance talk from Android rivals will be negated.
• Apple left just enough features out of the iPad 2 to convince some folks that iPad 3 will be coming later.
• The space between iPad 2 and iPad 3 is enough to convince most consumers to freeze thoughts of other tablets. Consumers may go Apple now—or later. Either way Apple wins.