Get Ready for iPad 2?

The rumor gremlins are out in force - this time it's the Wall Street Journal reporting that the iPad 2 has entered production. The Journal's sources describe the second version of Apple's tablet as coming with a faster processor as well as a more powerful GPU. It's also said to feature more memory as well as a thinner - and thus, necessarily - lighter chassis. One other possible nifty feature inclusion: a front-facing camera for video conferencing. The report says that the new iPad will be available through Verizon Wireless and AT&T.

The timing is perhaps coincidental but the purported leak surfaced just as Dell released a 10-inch tablet today and Hewlett Packard tomorrow is expected to unveilwhat's likely to be a WebOS-based tablet.

And while we're at it, let's not forget the splash caused by Motorola's Xoom, which is being marketed in Apple's face (See the Xoom SuperBowl ad here.