video transcript

The much anticipated launch of Apple's second generation iPad was watched with great interest at an event in London, where the official feed was carried live. However the chief talking point here was the one aspect of the event that analysts and commentators were not expecting. Andrew Lim is the editor of Recombu, a UK site about mobile phones and tablet devices. SOUNDBITE: Andrew Lim, Recombu Editor saying (English): "I think one of the notable things was seeing Steve Jobs on the stage, that was incredible and then the iPad 2 was really brilliant. I think they really did it They've done it again." Ben Wood is the director of research at CCS Insight. SOUNDBITE: Ben Wood, CCS Insight Director Of Research saying (English): "The biggest surprise today was the appearance of Steve Jobs on the stage. There was a gasp among the audience when he arrived. And this shows how much this product means to him personally given that he's on an extended medical leave right now." Sarah Carrol is the director of Futuresource consulting. SOUNDBITE: Sarah Carroll, Futuresource Consulting Director saying (English): "I think they break ground yet again. The design is phenomenal. There were a lot of complaints that maybe it was too heavy but this new design is very light and thinner which is a big step forward." Apple sold nearly 15 million iPads in nine months of 2010, two or three times as many as analysts had predicted. Wood says the second iteration of the device is likely to help Apple maintain its dominant position. BEN WOOD, CCS INSIGHT DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH SAYING: "Our figures right now show that it's sustaining about 80 % of the market. There's only been one big challenge so far and that was the Samsung Galaxy tab which was heavily discounted to push it through the channel. The other product like Motorola Zoom only just started shipping in the last few days, so it's really to early to tell." iPad 2 will ship in the U.S. on March 11 then to 26 more countries on March 25. Matt Cowan Reuters.