iPad 2 available from March 26

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Steve Jobs returns for iPad 2

Apple CEO Steve Jobs returned to the stage to unveil a thinner, more powerful version of his company's popular iPad tablet amid growing competition.

Apple Inc. Chairman and CEO Steve Jobs stands under images of the iPad 2 at an Apple event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Source: AAP

Apple has thrown down the gauntlet to competitors who - in the main - have yet to deliver to stores their own tablet computers.

*** WATCH A VIDEO REVIEW OF THE IPAD 2 - TAP NEWS, THEN VIDEO ***

Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who has been on indefinite medical leave, unveiled the new iPad 2 in San Francisco.

Jobs walked on stage to a standing ovation, looking frail, wearing his signature black turtleneck, blue jeans and wire-rimmed glasses.

Jobs told the audience, "We've been working on this product for a while and I just didn't want to miss today."

The new iPad 2 has much of what was expected of it: A front and rear camera for taking photos and video chatting, an A5 dual processor for twice the CPU speed and 9X faster graphics speed.

The power consumption remains the same as the first A4 chip unit, giving the iPad 2 a 10-hour battery life.

Available for the first time in white, the unit is 1/3 thinner, down to 8.8mm from 13mm.

It's available from March 11 in the US, then March 25 in at least 26 other countries, including Australia.

New features include a HDMI output cable for connectivity with screens and televisions, and new magnetised Smart Cover protective cases that will not substantially add to the size or weight of the device.

A substantial upgrade of the iOS operating system - version 4.3 - will support the new computing power and gadgets that form the iPad 2, particularly focussed towards its video and multimedia abilities.

New apps have been announced, including iMovie editing software, updated AIrPlay and Apple TV software .

Jobs announced in January that he would take a third leave of absence to focus on his health.

In the last decade, Jobs, 56, has survived a rare but curable form of pancreatic cancer and undergone a liver transplant.

Chief operating officer Tim Cook has been running day-to-day operations.