Hands on with iPad 2

When iPad 2 launches next Friday, March 11 in the US, Apple will renew its dominion over the emerging tablet market.

It's not because the device is wildly innovative or packs a slew of new features; on the contrary, iPad 2 is a predictable update to the company's best-selling device. There's little about this incremental upgrade that wows, though it is undeniably attractive.

Instead, superb design will see iPad 2 through and continue Apple's reign over the burgeoning tablet space as competitors continue to scramble for second place.

iPad 2 essentially functions in an identical fashion to the previous model released in April 2010, although the addition of two cameras, a sleeker body, and gyroscope expand functionality and ergonomics.

From a gaming perspective, the gyroscope and redesigned body make a difference. Games like Firemint's upcoming Real Racing 2 HD will certain benefit from the gyroscope.

In general, it's much nicer to hold and the decision to thin the device makes it more comfortable in your hands - no longer is there a flat edge around the device, which makes it look and feel more like a fourth-generation iPod touch than iPhone 4.

A new dual-core CPU - dubbed the A5 - promises more power for cutting edge games, as does a new graphical processing unit.

While the A5 provides an opportunity for more advanced gameplay elements, the exact specifications for the graphics processing unit make it somewhat of a mystery and therefore it's difficult to know just how much can be squeezed out of iPad 2.

Apple insists that the graphics are nine times faster than the original device, although it was difficult to discern much difference when playing games.

For instance, Infinity Blade looks great on iPad 2 and the loading times are slightly shortly; however, it's not distinct enough to outright justify ditching a first-generation iPad in favour of this new iteration.

Apple has done well in addressing user criticism over the device's lack of a camera and the functionality of the side switch, yet there are other features glaringly absent.

iPad 2 still only features a single speaker situated at the bottom of the device. Not incorporating stereo speakers was an unusual decision.

In the upcoming iOS 4.3 release, improvements to Game Center are absent. Given the outcry from both developers and the gaming community for more robust features and stability fixes, it's disappointing that iPad 2 isn't launching with a revitalised version of the service.

To be clear, iPad 2 promises the same core gaming experience as the original mode, though in a much sleeker device. The gyroscope and extra power are welcome, however they're hardly revolutionary. As a gaming device it's a nice upgrade, yet unlikely to be transformative.