Everything iPad

Choosing iPad accessories is almost as much fun as choosing to buy an iPad in the first place, and Apple have a number of options to pick from. The official iPad accessories include two iPad docks – including an iPad keyboard dock – an iPad case and several iPad adapter cables or dongles.

Most iPad users will consider the iPad keyboard dock, which recharges the iPad as well as offering a full-sized Apple keyboard for text-entry. Several shortcut keys have been adapted especially for use with the iPad, such as a Home button, search button and media playback controls for iTunes. The Apple iPad Keyboard Dock is priced at $69. Apple also offers a second iPad dock, which lacks a QWERTY keyboard. This is intended for recharging the iPad and synchronizing it with iTunes on your Mac or PC.

Apple’s official iPad case is a black folding sleeve with the company’s logo. It hinges open like a folio to give access to the iPad’s touchscreen, and has cutouts for the ports and edge-controls. In addition, the official iPad case can also be used to stand the iPad up for media use or easier text-entry. Two angles are supported. The Apple iPad Case is $39.

As for other iPad accessories, the iPad’s 30-pin Dock connector can be used to connect memory card readers, USB drives or external displays. Apple offer an iPad Camera Connector Kit, which includes two small adapters: an iPad SD card reader and an iPad USB port, which can be used to import photos from digital cameras. The pair of iPad accessory dongles will cost $29. Meanwhile an iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter, again for $29, will hook the Apple iPad up to an external VGA display or projector, ideal for giving Keynote presentations.

Third-party iPad accessories also look likely to flourish, just as with iPod and iPhone accessories. Griffin has announced several iPad cases, including a neoprene iPad slipcase, folio-style Elan Passport case, and a silicone iPad skin to keep the iPad’s case free of scratches. Griffin also has an iPad screen protector, which adheres using static and gives the iPad display a matte finish.

Belkin have also announced a range of iPad accessories, which will start with several budget iPad cases. The Belkin Vue Sleeve is a neoprene iPad slipcase with an external smartphone pocket for your iPhone, while the Belkin Max Sleeve uses pleated neoprene so as to expand to fit the iPad and other accessories. Finally the Belkin iPad Grip Sleeve is a laser-etched silicone skin for the iPad. Belkin also have an iPad screen protector.