If you’ve been holding out this long, waiting for version 2 of Apple’s iPad, Friday is your day. The iPad 2 will be available for purchase at retail at 5pm local time, and 1am PT online. Apple is releasing a version for AT&T and Verizon so it will also be available at many of those carrier’s retail locations, as well as Best Buy, Target and Walmart.
Apple says if you buy the tablet in one of their stores, you get free personalized setup. But the real battle plays out in pricing plans, which I will list below. Verizon Wireless offers several data plans for iPad 2, beginning at $20 per month, and plans will be available without a contract. AT&T has similar no-contract plans, but I’m hearing lots of grumbling from those excited about finally having the tethering option, only to find out they have to give up their unlimited data plan to use it.
APPLE Press Release
CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Apple® today announced that iPad™ 2, the next generation of its magical device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and much more, will be available tomorrow at 5 p.m. local time at all 236 Apple retail stores in the US and through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com) beginning at 1 a.m. PT. Every customer who buys an iPad 2 at an Apple retail store will be offered free Personal Setup service, helping them customize their iPad 2 by setting up email, loading new apps from the App Store℠ and more, so they’ll be up and running with their new iPad 2 before they leave the store. iPad 2 will also be available beginning at 5 p.m. local time at AT&T, Best Buy, Target, Verizon Wireless, Walmart and select Apple Authorized Resellers.
iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime® and Photo Booth®, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life* that users have come to expect. iPad 2 is available in black or white, features models that run on AT&T’s and Verizon’s 3G networks, and introduces the innovative iPad 2 Smart Cover in a range of vibrant polyurethane and rich leather colors.
Pricing and Availability
iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in the US on March 11 for a suggested retail price of $499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32GB model, $699 for the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G compatible with the Verizon network will be available in the US only for a suggested retail price of $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model.
iMovie® and GarageBand® for iPad apps are available today for $4.99 each from the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore. The Smart Cover is available in a range of colors in vibrant polyurethane for $39 or rich leather for $69.
*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.
VERIZON Press Release
IPAD 2 ON THE VERIZON WIRELESS 3G NETWORK IN STORES NATIONWIDE ON MARCH 11
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless announced today that iPad 2 will be available in select Verizon Wireless stores nationwide beginning Friday, March 11 at 5 p.m. local time. Verizon Wireless will offer three iPad 2 models that run on the nation’s most reliable 3G network: $629.99 for the 16 GB model, $729.99 for the 32 GB model and $829.99 for the 64 GB model, available in black or white.
iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime® and Photo Booth®, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life* that users have come to expect.
iPad 2 and 3G Network Data Plans
Verizon Wireless offers several data plans for iPad 2, beginning at $20 per month. All data plans will be available without a contract, providing the freedom to activate or cancel a plan at any time. The following plans are available for iPad 2 users on America’s most reliable 3G network:
Monthly Usage Cost Data Allowance
• $20 per month 1 GB per month
• $35 per month 3 GB per month
• $50 per month 5 GB per month
• $80 per month 10 GB per month
For more information about iPad 2 from Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com/iPad2, go to any Verizon Wireless Communications Store or call 1-800-2 JOIN IN.
AT&T Press Release
AT&T* today announced it will sell iPad 2 in its retail and business channels beginning Friday, March 11 at 5 p.m. local time. Online sales will be available at http://www.att.com/iPad at 1 a.m. pacific time. AT&T offers several convenient billing options, none of which require a long-term contract. Customers can choose between AT&T’s prepaid billing options, which are charged to a credit card account, or recently announced postpaid plans that can be added to customers’ existing monthly wireless statements. For a limited time, customers who activate a new postpaid $25/2 GB plan will receive the first month free**.
“We are thrilled to offer iPad 2 in our stores and give customers several easy ways to connect to the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network,” said Glenn Lurie, president—Emerging Devices, AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets.
Customers may choose from the following options.
Monthly statements: $14.99 for 250 MB or $25 for 2 GB***. Customers who exceed their monthly data allotment will be billed $14.99 for another 250MB on the $14.99 plan or $10 per 1 GB of overage on the 2 GB plan.
Credit card billing: $14.99 for 250 MB or $25 for 2 GB****. Customers who exceed their monthly data allotment may choose to purchase another 250 MB on the $14.99 plan or purchase an additional 2 GB for $25 on the 2 GB plan.
Both options are month-to-month and do not require a long-term commitment.
The Personal Hotspot feature being introduced with iOS 4.3 is also available to customers who choose the $25 plan plus a $20 tethering option that provides an extra 2 GB of data.
AT&T retail stores will be open during normal business hours on Friday.
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