Thinner, lighter Apple iPad 2 announced

Apple's iPad 2 tablet computer will launch on 25 March in the UK. The company claims the new model is thinner, lighter and faster than the original iPad.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance at an event in San Francisco to unveil the new tablet. The iPad 2 will run a new version of Apple's portable operating system, iOS 4.3, and also includes a new processor and improved graphics, but the display retains the 1,024x768 pixel resolution of the last model.

The new iPad is 33 per cent thinner and 15 per cent lighter than the original and includes two cameras, one on the front and one on the back.

The rear-facing camera will be capable of shooting video in 720p high-definition, while the front-facing camera can be used for making video calls using Apple's Facetime software.

Apple also revealed new iPad versions of its movie-editing software iMovie and music-creation software Garageband; both will be available on the Apple App Store from launch. Pricing details for the UK are yet to be confirmed, but the apps should be under £5 each.

Like the current model, the new iPad will be available with or without 3G and in 16, 32 and 64GB models. There will be two colours, though: black and white.

UK prices were not announced, but in the US prices remain unchanged from the original version. In the meantime, Apple has cut prices of the original iPad on its online store; the cheapest model now costs £329.