Yeah, but they did the same with the iPhone as well... the iPhone 3/3GS, iPhone 4/4S.
I've not really read up a huge amount on the specs of this, just a couple of basic articles - new stuff includes higher def screen, better camera, 4G support. Evolutionary rather than revolutionary, maybe that's why they decided it doesn't need a whole new release number. Who knows.
No, they didn't. The iPhone 4's model name is "iPhone 4", same for the "iPhone 4S". This one's model name is, according to the presentation, "the new iPad". You never see Apple refer to "iPhone 4" or "iPhone 4S" as "the n-th generation iPhone".
I'm not arguing the evolutionary/revolutionary angle, just that it's completely unprecedented for Apple to use TWO DIFFERENT NAMES to refer to ONE PRODUCT in their marketing materials.
I've not really read up a huge amount on the specs of this, just a couple of basic articles - new stuff includes higher def screen, better camera, 4G support. Evolutionary rather than revolutionary, maybe that's why they decided it doesn't need a whole new release number. Who knows.