One of the biggest “features” of any Apple product is the rumor mill that surrounds any potential new developments, be it iPhone-, iPod-, or iPad-related. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone developed an app called RumorMill that automatically generates purported new features and shipping dates. (Hmm, that would be kind of fun...)

However, as of 10 a.m. PST today, the rumor mill was shut down (for a nanosecond anyway) with Apple’s official iPad 2 launch event, which I followed on several liveblogs, including Macworld and Gizmodo—appropriately, on my iPad 1.

The Apple presentation, hosted by hale-looking Steve Jobs, took a quick look back: Apple sold its 100 millionth iPhone recently, and sold an impressive 15 million iPads in 2010 (that is, in 9 months of 2010). There are 65,000 iPad apps in the app store. Random House is joining the iBookstore and they hope to beef up the offerings for iBooks (good; most of the e-books I buy are not available for iBooks, although the Nook iPad app is pretty good and B&N books are a tad cheaper).

Jobs then showed a video of lots of shiny, happy people loving their iPads, including the tech director of Chicago Public Schools who remarked that thanks to iPad use among their students, they are seeing up to 50% gains in math and science. (I’d be curious to see the data on that, and what specifically they mean, although it is encouraging.)

As to the technical specs:

The iPad 2—which has been extensively redesigned—will feature a new dual-core processor, said to be 2X faster (9X faster for graphics) than the processor in iPad 1. It is 1/3 thinner than iPad 1 (and is in fact now thinner than iPhone 4), and is a scosh lighter (down to 1.3 lbs. from 1.5 lbs.) than its forebear.

The iPad 2 has front- and rear-facing cameras for video, so now Andy Tribute can video Skype when traveling overseas. It also has a gyroscope because, well, why not?

Jobs also said that the battery life (10 hours) is unchanged from the previous iPad.

It will come in two colors (or lack of colors, I should say), black and white, and there will be from day one both AT&T and Verizon models (but no hybrid; you gotta pick one or the other...choose wisely...). There are three size capacity configurations: 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB and there are also WiFi-only and WiFi+3G versions, just like last time. Prices range from $499 for the most basic WiFi-only, 16 GB version up to $829 for the deluxe WiFi+3G 64 GB version. Five of the six models available are under $800.

The real big news: the iPad 2 will ship domestically March 11, and March 25 in other countries.

Accessories will include an HDMI-out adapter ($39) which will support up to 1080p.

They also made rather a big deal about the new Smart Cover case for the iPad 2—even showing what has been described as a “strange video” (“reminds me of a Pixar short,” remarked Dan Moren of Macworld, “with a Smart Cover as the hero,” added Jason Snell). It attaches to the iPad using magnets, functions as a typing stand or a kickstand when watching movies, adds minimal weight and bulk, and also autowakes and autosleeps the iPad when opened and closed (respectively—I hope). It is available in leather or polyurethane (“what they made spacesuits out of” Jobs felt compelled to remark—well, yeah, but also more prosaic things like insulation, adhesives, and carpeting).

As for the OS, Apple was also announcing the new iOS 4.3, which improves Safari performance, allows iTunes home sharing, adds AirPlay support for video as well as audio, and includes the ability to create a personal hotspot.

There is a ton of other stuff as well—including iMovie for the iPad, GarageBand, PhotoBooth, and more.

By the way, it goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) WhatTheyThink’s special report, The iPad: What It Means for Graphic Communication Professionals, will remain just as relevant to our industry as ever.

Apple is touting 2011 as The Year of the iPad. iPad or not, it’s certainly going to be the Year of the Tablet.

News and videos are already up on the Apple iPad site.

Oh, by the way, about that rumor mill: it has already started to say that the iPad 3 will be out later this year. So it must be true!