Steve Jobs launches Apple's iPad 2

Apple CEO Steve Jobs today took a San Francisco stage to introduce his company's newest iPad.

"We've been working on this product for awhile, and I didn't want to miss it," said Jobs, who received a standing ovation from reporters and others at the invitation-only event Wednesday morning.

It was Jobs' first public appearance since he stepped away from Apple in January to take an indefinite medical leave.

The new iPad 2 -- the name wags had stuck on the new device, and the one Apple confirmed today -- is faster, thinner and lighter, said Jobs.

But it's not cheaper: Apple will retain the prices of 2010's iPad. The Wi-Fi versions start at $499 for a 16GB model and climb to $699 for a 64GB configuration, while the 3G iPads are priced at $629 to $829. The 3G models will be available for both AT&T and Verizon, which base their networks on competing cellular technologies.

The iPad 2 will ship March 11 in the U.S., and on March 25 in at least 26 other countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the U.K.

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