Let’s have a look at my iPad toy box
Apple iPad Case
Not protecting your iPad with a case means possible scratches, nothing to absorb the shock of a fall and unless you purchase a stand, there’s nothing to prop it up on an angle but your own makeshift program.
The soft microfiber and reinforced panels covers your iPad similar to a book cover, defending the screen with a front flap. And yes, the front of the case sports the Apple logo as you’d expect.
Nicely the front flap can be folded over into a slot located on the back of the case. This will support the iPad on an angle — ideal for media junkies.
The headphone jack, dock connector port, power and volume buttons are accessible through holes in the case.
Cons:
The only drawback of the microfiber is it seems to smudge up rather quickly. Sure wiping it down with a damp cloth cleans it without causing damage but for someone like me that spends so much time keeping the device itself clean, the case shouldn’t require the same treatment. Like a typical Apple fan I like the aesthetics of the microfiber enough to warrant the flaw.
Overall, it’s a win in both style, feel and design.
Retails for $45.00 (U.S) at Apple.com
Apple Camera Connection Kit
This kit includes two adapters; SD to iPad port and usb to iPad port. The accessory does what the name implies, it connects your digital camera to the iPad and imports photos (standard photo formats + jpeg, raw) — but that isn’t the only thing it can do for you.
Lets face it, the iPad should have usb and an SD card slot but until that happens you can use this accessory to solve the problem and import from a usb drive, SD card or iPhone.
Sadly I don’t have an endless amount of external hard drives and keyboards to test but our friends at MacWorld claim they had success connecting several usb keyboards, usb headsets and usb audio accessories . MacWorld also mentioned that keyboards that require a lot of power were hit or miss…
USB keyboards that provide higher-power USB ports for charging and syncing iPods and iPhones—including Apple’s own aluminum models—require more power than the iPad’s dock-connector port will provide. -MacWorld
I have however tried plugging in iPhone to iPad. It imported all of the images and videos from my iPhone, it just requires you to open the Photos app and hit import. Importing from the SD card worked fine for me as well. Keep in mind videos need to be converted to H.264 format to play on the iPad.
The biggest benefit of this accessory is plugging it in to a USB keyboard while the iPad is docked–mighty sweet! (Although it didn’t work for me using an official Apple keyboard from the iMac).
I don’t have a usb stick on hand to test but I’ve included a video below of someone who’s done it. It just requires some formatting.
Cons:
When you import images or videos it places the videos in the photos rather than videos which is a bit of a bummer. Though this accessory wasn’t intended to do such a thing, hooking up an external drive sounds awesome– a task I’ve yet to make happen.
Retails for $35 (U.S) at Apple.com
Apple Dock Connector to VGA
Using this accessory you’re able to connect a monitor or TV to the iPad in order to view media on a bigger screen. This could be highly useful in classrooms, meetings or any event where the iPad screen isn’t ideal. It could replace the need to use a projector in a few ways; presentations and media however… the limitations might be kinda brutal.
Using Keynote (iPad app) + the VGA adapter you can put on a pretty impressive presentation, a good reason alone to get this accessory if presentations are something you do.
Cons:
Not all videos will play depending on copyright/DRM as pointed out in the video above.
It doesn’t display the iPad on the monitor similar to the experience of using VNC software instead it solely works with a limited number of apps that support this type of output. Twit Pad, YouTube, iPod, Keynote, ABC and Photos are some of the few apps that work.
Retails for $35 (U.S) at Apple.com
Apple iPad Dock
The small design of the dock is superb, taking up about as much space on your desk as a deck of cards. The iPad plugs into the iPad port allowing it to sit upright in portrait mode and has a non slip surface on the bottom– no sliding. On the back of the dock Apple has included an audio line out and another iPad port.
Using the dock you can sync, charge and as mentioned earlier you’re able to use the dock with the camera connection kit and the VGA adapter should you want to plug-in a supported keyboard or monitor while the iPad is docked.
Connects to VGA + Camera Connection Kit, plugs into computer, stereo, speakers and the 10W USB power charger.
Cons:
There’s no denying that this is a great solution to charge or sync and overall it’s an ideal place to store the iPad but watching media in portrait mode kinda really bugs me. Doing my best Shatner.. ” Whyyyyyy??”
Retails for $35 (U.S) at Apple.com
Apple iPad 10W USB Power Adapter
This iPad peripheral offers a 6 foot cord to power your iPad. In addition to giving you a second charger, the long cord is awesome for those of use who have inconveniently placed outlets –making lying back on the couch with the iPad or iPhone during a charge possible. I’ve never been able to do that due to the placement of my electrical–finally I can finish a game with a wall charger.
Works with the iPad, iPhone, all iPod touch models, iPad Dock and the iPad Keyboard Dock.
Cons:
None that I can think of. It’s fantastic.
Retails for $35 (U.S) at Apple.com
Check out more iPad stuff on Geeklish or read my weekly column Apps We Love in The Globe and Mail.
Reference of MacWorld: Camera Connection Kit + Keyboard test.
This is awesome, especially the Camera Connection and The VGA hookup – I will be investing in these quite soon!
great write up
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