Unless you spent the day under a rock, you’ve probably heard that the iPad 3 was announced and available for pre-order today. Did you order yours yet?

Here is a play by play of the launch event from Engadget.

Or even better, you can go straight to Apple and place your order!

Letter from Steve Jobs

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role. 

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve 

As the letter states Jobs plan to maintain a role with the company and there is no doubt that Apple will continue to benefit from his vision and leadership in the coming years. However, as Tim Cook takes on the CEO role permanently, you can’t help but wonder what the future will hold . . .

The words “copyright” and “infringement” are being thrown around by Apple. They claim that the Samsung Galaxy and the Galaxy tab are the spitting image of the iPhone and the iPad. Specifically, the lawsuit says, ”Rather than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple’s technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products.”

Now I have on several occasions mistaken a Samsung Galaxy for an iPhone but does that justify a lawsuit. We’ll have to wait and see.

Ironically, these two companies are not just competitors they also have a business relationship. You see, Apple uses Samsung parts in their devices. Awkward!

A poll by Piper Jaffray reveals that 70% of the new iPad’s were sold to new buyers. While Apple stores and Best Buys all across the nation are receiving shipments for sale they immediately. So you have three options if you’re hoping to get a brand new iPad 2; place an online order and wait 4-5 weeks, stalk your local stores to try to nab one of the new shipments or purchase one from resellers scalping iPads at as much as a 200% markup. Yikes!

Apple has now marked down the original iPad’s by$100 meaning you can buy the baseline first generation iPad for $399. This means that Apple has just made the iPad that much more accessible to users looking for great technology at an affordable price. If a user doesn’t need the extra processing speed and the cameras they can get an incredible device in the original iPad. This means that parents buying gifts for their children, companies looking to supply staff with iPad’s and even the older generation are now that much more likely to turn to the iPad and at $399 it really is a great deal!

The iPad 2 will make it’s official launch on March 11th. And for those eager to get one you have two options; order online for March 11th delivery up until 12:01 on March 11th or show up at your local Apple Store, AT&T Store, Verizon Store or Best Buy. All dealers will begin selling the iPad 2 at 5pm on March 11th.

• Browse shows without interrupting the program you’re watching
• Set recordings
• Access more information about the show you’re watching
• And more . . .