For every iPad out there, there’s a panoply of stands, cases and connectors to help each early adopter personalize and get the most out of their fancy new device
HOLIDAY | Phil Baker
It goes without saying that 2010 is the year of the iPad.
Despite the recession-y conditions in which it was unveiled, Apple’s new tablet device has been the most successful product launch in the company’s history – even bigger than the iPhone launch just a few years ago. Tech-industry analyst iSuppli expects nearly 13 million iPads to ship to consumers by the end of the year, an amazing 82 percent increase from predictions it made as recently as April.
In spite of skepticism about what the device can do, iPad buyers are finding all sorts of uses, from e-mail and watching firstrun movies to reading newspapers, magazines and books.
Just like the iPhone, dozens of companies, including Apple itself, are rolling out accessories to jump on the iPad phenomenon.
There are cases to protect the device from scratches and screen breakage, devices to prop it up for watching movies and typing, and some gadgets that do both. Here’s a survey of some of the most interesting accessories available for the iPad this holiday season:
Accessories Apple also offers a number of accessories that add more utility to the iPad. While it makes a great device for viewing photos, the fact that it lacks both an actual camera and a USB port make it difficult to import images directly to the iPad. Apple’s iPad Camera Connection Kit is the solution. It consists of two small adapters that each plug into the charging connector at the bottom. One has a USB port, and the other a slot for an SD card that lets you move your images quickly onto the iPad. Price: $29, apple.com and Apple Retail Stores
If you do serious writing you’ll want Apple’s iPad Keyboard Dock. The on-screen keyboard is good for a paragraph or two, but it’s difficult to do cut and past and precisely move the cursor around. The aluminum keyboard has a built-in dock that holds the iPad erect and charges it at the same time. You can also use it to connect the iPad to a TV. Price: $69, apple.com and Apple Retail Stores iPad cases The Waterfield Suede Jacket is a lightweight sleeve with a small pocket for headphones and small accessories. It’s the least intrusive way to carry your iPad, but protecting it against drops is not part of the jacket’s design. Waterfield, which manufactures all of its products in the USA, also has cases for Kindles, iPods and iPhones. Price: $25, sfbags.com
chase and find retailers
Brenthaven’s 5-in-1 iPad Case provides a hard shell for protection, a horizontal viewing stand for watching movies, a typing stand, and a handle to secure the iPad while reading.
Price: $59.95, brenthaven.com
Incase offers a Convertible Book Jacket that works much like Apple’s case, though it carries a little more bulk. It’s made of a heavy black, leather-like vinyl with a microsuede lining, and, like the Apple case, functions as a stand with adjustable viewing positions when its cover is flipped around the back. Price: $59.95, incase.com
The iSkin Vu Case is a shell that combines soft rubber material with hard transparent plastic to envelope the edges and back of the iPad. It comes in variety of colors and has a door at the bottom that opens for charging. Price: $64.99, iskin.com to purchase and find retailers
