With tablet device sales cruising past a million units sold and an international roll-out the accessories market is being flooded. But which are the best accessories for the iPad?
Apple Keyboard Dock
The iPad has been heralded as the answer to the problem of the void between smartphones and net books – and, in some ways, it has fulfilled this prophecy. However, there is no keyboard or mouse with the iPad – it’s all about the multitouch – which could be a problem for some potential iPad users.
Fortunately, there’s a nice little accessory known as the Apple Keyboard Dock, which will turn the iPad into a desktop computer, complete with keyboard and mouse and, potentially, solve this issue.
The Apple Keyboard Dock comes in a true Apple aluminum finish and, as an added bonus, it also charges and syncs up with the iPad. The keyboard also features special keys that provide one touch access to the iPad’s Home screen, Spotlight, picture frame mode and screen lock.
The Cloak by Quirky
The iPad, as everyone knows, is a media-centric piece of kit that’s designed to revolutionize the way people engage and use digital media. In addition to this, the iPad is extremely lightweight and mobile, which means users’ can take it practically everywhere with them. But how can you ensure that it stays scuff-free while on your travels?
One solution is The Cloak, which is a carrier case with a twist – it uses a vertical hinge that allows users’ to view media in either landscape or portrait. Design wise, The Cloak has a viewing window in one side and is made from non-slip rubber with a double plastic hinge mechanism. The iPad is slid through the top and held in place by a process, scientifically, referred to as sturdy friction grip.
In short, The Cloak is an essential piece of kit for anyone that likes traveling and watching media – and as an added bonus, it looks really stylish.
Scosche Kickback
The iPad is sort of like a big iPhone and, like the iPhone, it features a virtual keyboard, which means any emails or text typing has to be done using the touchscreen. So, when you have your iPad, you can either lay it down on a table or on your lap to do this – or you can invest in a kick stand that’ll elevate and angle the device slightly.
One of the best iPad kickstands we’ve seen so far is the Scosche Kickback. The Scosche KickBack is made out of a polycarbonate and rubber fusion, so it’s exceptionally lightweight, making it ideal for mobility.
The Scosche Kickback case also connects up with all the ports on the iPad and also comes with a screen protector – so not only do you get a more comfortable way to type and use your iPad, but you also get a complete sync up between the two things.
iPad Camera Connection Kit
One of the main gripes we have with the iPad is that it doesn’t have any sort of card-reading feature, which means no moving stuff from your digital camera’s SDCard to your iPad.
Fortunately, Apple have a solution to this problem known as the iPad Camera Connection kit, which features two dongles – one for importing stuff via USB and one that lets you plug a SDCard directly into it.
It is unfortunate that Apple didn’t include this feature built-in to the iPad – and are now monetizing the void it created. But, if you are a serious photographer, or an avid SDCard user, you really can’t do with the iPad Camera Connection Kit.
As another bonus, users are reporting that the device allows the iPad to connect to other USB devices, including some keyboards. Smart.
The Griffin Flexgrip
If you’re about to invest in an iPad, you’ll want to keep it safe from scuffs, bumps and scrapes once it arrives – after all, it’s not everyday you get an iPad.
For this reason, it is highly advisable that you invest in a protective case and, as cases go, we really like the Griffin Flexgrip – it’s cost effective, comes in a range of colors and will keep your iPad safe from everything the world decides to throw at it.
