iPad 2 Production Begun? April Release Date?

According to reports from across the pond the iPad 2 has just gone into production - interestingly the source is from the Wallstreet Journal and Yukari Iwatani Kane – which is one Job’s mobs favoured publications - they are famous for leaking info direct from Apple - call them Apple's PR trolls.

The report smells strongly of an Apple leak with precise details and a sense of controlling wild fanboy expectations. WSJ claims to know what we'll see in iPad 2 - which is not a lot from the sounds of it.

The device is thought to be slimmer; well we knew that, interestingly the report suggests that the iPad will only have one camera on the front of the device and not the two we'd all thought of.

This is clearly smells like Apple managing expectations - which does seem a little disappointing.

Apple engaged in a similar campaign on the last iPad - making the price point a surprising one as everyone had thought it was going to more expensive.

While the iPad sold in the millions, recent figures show that Apple’s tablet market dominance is waning with Android devices expected to take over. While it’s expected that Apple’s device won’t constitute the majority of tablet sales, the iPad 2 is still seen as a vital product for the Cupertino company, as the tablet market is expected to grow massively in 2011.

The WSJ’s sources did not provide a date for the iPad 2’s arrival, only saying that prices will be similar to that of the iPad. However the iPad 2 is widely expected  in April, a year after Apple’s first iPad.

What do you think of Apple managing expectations? Have they played too safe? Let us know below.