With Dell teaming up with Baidu, the tablet wars in China is just beginning.  With Apple speeding up it’s store openings, things are getting interesting.  At the end it will be the market leader (iPad 2) to loose.  Everyone else is just fighting for second place.

The new device has shed some pounds (weigh just 1.3 pounds or .2 pounds less) and it will be 33% thinner at 8.8 mm. Under the hood, the new iPad tablet will get a faster chip (A5) and advertised to be twice as fast.

Other notable features include two cameras (front and back) and ports for large speakers.

The new iPad also will come in two colors.  The choice is either the always popular black or the new white color.  The new white color choice is nice, but not necessary since most people will accessorize their iPad with an iPad case or cover for protection.  iPad accessories usually come with a variety of color and material options.

Apple is getting more aggressive to capture the iPad 2 accessories market by launching a new iPad case called the Smart Cover.  This new case fits the new iPad 2 and is based on magnets.  This clever protective case can be used to prop up the iPad for better viewing and typing.  As other accessories manufacturer’s play catch up (takes time to develop the new design), Apple will benefit from the temporary monopoly on iPad 2 cases.

Should you buy now or wait for the competition to bring down the price?  The tablet flood gates are open and 2011 will be known as the year of the tablet wars.  There are a few comparable alternatives to the iPad, so definitely research before committing to the iPad 2.

We all know that part of what makes the iPad so great is the selection of apps that goes with it. So, if you’re looking for something new to liven up your device, here is a list of the top 5 iPad apps available.

1) Angry Birds (Free and Paid): This game is the top grossing app on both iPad and iPhone, and it’s easily the most addictive! The aim of the game is to protect the future of the angry birds by seeking revenge on the evil green pigs who stole the birds’ eggs! This game lasts for hours thanks to a number of new levels.

2) iBooks (Free): iBooks is Apple’s answer to the Kindle, and was released alongside the iPad to help secure its place on the eReader market. It seems to have worked – iBooks is one of the top downloaded iPad apps so far. It lets users browse their virtual bookshelf and shop for new titles.

3) Scrabble (Paid): This app version of the classic game comes with many high tech features to enhance the experience. For a start, you can play against random users from around the world, and players can take advantage of an in-built dictionary to check up on words that don’t quite sound right!

4) Monopoly for iPad (Paid): This is the iPad version of the classic board game that lets you buy, sell and trade properties. Some of the most notable features include the ability to customize the game, play with up to 3 players on Wi-Fi, and listen to your music as you do!

5) Pages (Paid): This is the most popular word processing app for the iPad, and one of the highest grossing apps ever released. It isn’t surprising – after all, it helps people to take their work on the move, which was one of the massive strong points when the iPad was released. This app helps you take advantage of many layout and formatting options all designed to work seamlessly with the touch screen interface.

iClothing: Why buy an iPad case or bag when you can simply slip it into your specially designed pocket? iClothing have come up with the iTee – a t-shirt with an inbuilt, iPad-sized pocket so that you’ll always have your iPad ready when you want it! There’s also the (sold out) iDress – an “iPad compatible” cotton black dress for those who want to take their iPad for a night on the town!

Scottevest: Branding itself as “the ultimate iPad accessory”, Scottevest produce vests and jackets with a built in pocket specifically designed to house the iPad. This is a little more subtle than iClothing, as the pocket’s located on the inside of the garment. Nobody will even notice you’re wearing your iPad!

The iMaxi: For those who want a unique iPad case the iMaxi is perfect. Playing on the gadget’s name, the iMaxi is a pad for your iPad, designed to keep it protected and dry! The iMaxi even has wings!

Colorware: This product range is perfect for someone who doesn’t just want unique iPad accessories, but a uniquely colored iPad! Colorware sell a range of iPads in neon colors for those who want to be bright and bold.

The iBookend: Wearing your iPad isn’t the only way to keep it on display. The iBookend is perfect for those times when you’re at home and you don’t know where to put your iPad. Unfortunately this product hasn’t yet been developed – this is more for those who want a laugh!

Source: Unique iPad Accessories

This availability should only add to the fast sales growth of the tablet. Apple state that as of June, the device had sold 3 million iPads in 80 days. At that time, Apple also reported that 11,000 iPad apps were available for the device. On May 31, Apple also reported that it had sold 2 million iPad, showing that the company has sold one million more tablet gadgets in less than a month.

Apple only started shipping iPads to customers in other countries outside the United States in late May. There’s no doubt that iPads are flying off the shelves, as Apple sold a million devices in less than 30 days.

It will be interesting to see how many iPads have been sold in the month of June. These numbers are expected to be provided tomorrow when Apple posts its second quarter earnings for 2010. The company also says the iPad will launch to more countries later in the year and will announce availability and local pricing for these additional countries at a later date in the future.