Apple iPad 2 Tablet PC Reveal Generates Anticipation and Leaked Spec Screenshots

Today, Apple will be holding a large event that is garnishing plenty of attention. The reason? The press is anticipating that the next generation Apple iPadwill make its public debut today.

Apple’s event will occur today (March 2) at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts theater in San Francisco, at 1PM EST.

Given the iPad’s significance, any occurrences involving its evolution are carefully watched in the tech industry, the amount of press this event has gotten is pretty significant.

Any news is big news – as in the case where Amazon Germany reportedly put the Apple iPad 2 up for sale prematurely. A few screenshots of the supposed iPad 2 specs leaked out as a result, but have since been taken down.

So what, exactly, is so important about the Apple iPad, that its next generation arrival should be plagued with rumors, leaked screenshots and oodles of press? Well, the Apple iPad holds the majority of the current tablet PC market share, but it’s more than that. According to research firm Gartner, the iPad is the cause of other computer manufacturers stymied sales.

Mikako Kitawaga, Gartner's principal analyst, reflected on the results of the 2010 holiday shopping season. "Overall, holiday PC sales were weak in many key regions due to the intensifying competition in consumer spending. Media tablets, such as the iPad, as well as other consumer electronic (CE) devices, such as game consoles, all competed against PCs.”

This analysis can be applied to the greater market – and its gradual adaption of mobile technology.

As tablet PCs become more and more powerful, and are actually able to compete with PCs on a performance level, we should see the former phased out in near entirety.

The Apple iPad is leading that charge, and we shall see what we shall see!

For those wishing to keep abreast of the Apple event’s live developments, please visit this page at The Huffington Post. The writer there, Catharine Smith, has compiled a list of all of the websites which will be tracking any updates and sharing them promptly.  A list of tech bloggers has also been included.