iPad 2 launches same day as 3DS in UK

The second generation of iPad will launch in the UK on the same day as Nintendo’s 3DS.

Apple confirmed the news today during one of its customary spring press conferences in San Francisco.

iPad 2 lands in the UK and a number of other countries two weeks after a March 11th USA roll-out.

The device is 33 per cent thinner than the previous model and is built on a new chip, the A5. It’s a dual core processor, making it twice as fast on CPU performance as the A4 chip found in the iPad and iPhone 4. Its graphics capabilities are nine times faster than previous models.

iPad 2 also now features built in front and back cameras, and better motion-sensors. It also retains the original’s 10 hours battery life – despite the added features and smaller form factor – and even offers HDMI output with a special dongle.

Apple said the device would be priced in the exact same tier of pricing as the original iPad.

"Add all these features up, and we think 2011 is going to be the year of iPad 2," said CEO Steve Jobs, who took a break from his personal leave to host the event.