iPad 2: was all the fuss justified?

Last week saw the iPad 2 launch throughout the UK. If there is anyone left who’s not aware this was happening, back in April last year the iPad was launched in the US, after several years of failed attempts to get a Star Trek-style tablet on the market, Apple dared to go where others had failed... and the gamble paid off as iPad sales went through the roof.

By Christmas 2010 everyone and their auntie were promising iPad-killers and the full might of Chinese industry went into producing various sizes and shapes of tablet armed with the promising Android operating system – but no one could match the price/performance of the iPad.

Last Friday, my wife and I went to the MetroCentre in Newcastle at around midday and already there were about 200 people queuing to get their hands on the iPad 2.

Apple wasted no time in dishing out Starbucks coffee and water to the waiting crowds and before long sent their guys out to find out what everyone would be buying and giving them reservation tickets to ensure there were no disappointments.

Apparently one poor soul had been queuing since the night before and the MetroCentre security guys would not let him stop overnight so I’m guessing it was a night in the car. Quite rightly he was given extra pampering by the staff.

As the 5pm launch loomed, the staff started clapping and cheering and you couldn't help feeling, as the crowd swelled, that you were in the middle of a special event.

We were herded into the shop in small groups and swooped on by friendly and knowledgeable staff who guided us through the various options, offered practical tips on how to use the device, and, of course, took our money.

By 7pm we were out of there, our choices being one black and one white iPad2, and we both bought the incredibly stylish Bluetooth keyboard.

So, was it worth it? You bet.

It’s thinner, lighter and faster than the original, the glass is many times stronger, the new apps – Garageband and iMovie – are excellent, PhotoBooth is great fun and Facetime works a treat.

I now have PDF and Word readers and program editors, video editing and I’ve just found a new bunch of business apps including database editors I didn’t know existed, as well as CRM tools and many more vital business apps – oh, and some pretty good games.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Apple has on its hands not only a new winner in the iPad2, but an Android-killer in the now price-competitive original iPad. Arthur C Clarke once said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Well, we’re not quiet there yet, but the Apple iPad 2 is pretty close.

Well done, Apple.