Like all the best devices, the iPad is what you make it. For some people it'll be a photo viewer, for others a handy game system. Some folks will use it as an e-reader, while their mates might watch the latest movies on it. With its versatility, the iPad will soon become one of the most accessorised devices on the market.From protective sleeves to speakers, via bespoke bags and stands, the number of accessories already announced is huge. That's before you even start to count the iPhone and iPod accessories that also work with the iPad - though we hasten to add that not all of them do.
So many types of accessory are possible, too. The iPad's conductive screen and large display makes it a great drawing tool, for example. All you need is a precision stylus. As for photos, the iPad doubles as a brilliant digital frame when not in active use. A stand will come in handy when you want to show off your family pics, and Apple's Camera Connection Kit will help you put them onto your iPad. Who knows what other kinds of accessory will emerge as new apps come out?
To give you a Flavour of what's coming to market now, we've dug through the first wave oFthird-party extras, alongside the best that Apple has to oFFer, and highlighted our Favourites. Many are already available, though a Few are so new and Fresh that they've yet to have an official release. Which will you pick to make your iPad the perfect purchase?
HyperMac HyperDrive Hard Drive For iPad
Company: HyperMac
URL: www.hyperdrive.com/ipad
Price: 320GB - £149; 500GB - £179; 1TB - £229
The HyperDrive is an ingenious hard drive that you can connect to your iPad, allowing you to carry your entire library of photos, music and video files, and to transfer your files onto the iPad, even when you're away from your computer. Available in sizes up to 1TB, the HyperDrive connects to the iPad via Apple's Camera Connection Kit. The contents of the HyperDrive appear on the iPad's screen, making it easy to transfer files accross.
Journey Bag for Apple iPad
Company: M-Edge
URL: www.medgestore.com
Price: $64.99 (£43)
Eager to project a more carefree image? These satchel-style bags might be more your thing. Made in nylon with a fluffy fleece interior to protect your iPad, they offer pockets for accessories as well as room for your charger. There's even a secret compartment lurking in the front flap.
Apple Digital AV Adaptor
Company: Apple
URL: www.apple.com
Price: £35
The iPad 2 enables you to play movies, show of photos, and display presentations on a big screen for the first time. To hook up an iPad 2 to a high definition TV, you'll need one of these. The second socket lets you charge up the iPad 2 at the same time
Apple Smart Cover
Company: Apple
URL: www.apple.com
Price: £35
Many people will opt for this Apple Smart Cover, which clips magentically to the side /
of the iPad 2 and protects the screen from scratches. It's clever too, with microfibre inner that cleans the screen, and it switches the iPad 2 on and off as you open and close the flap. We're not convinced it'll save you from dents if accidentally drop the iPad 2 though.
Many people will opt for this Apple Smart Cover, which clips magentically to the side /
of the iPad 2 and protects the screen from scratches. It's clever too, with microfibre inner that cleans the screen, and it switches the iPad 2 on and off as you open and close the flap. We're not convinced it'll save you from dents if accidentally drop the iPad 2 though.
Sena ZipBook for iPad
Company: Sena
URL: www.substrata.net
Price: £65
If the Smart Cover doesn't offer enough protection for you, then consider going all the way to this Sena ZipBook. It's made from leather and enables you to cover your iPad in a complete housing that will protect it against all drops, scratches, and scuffles.
If the Smart Cover doesn't offer enough protection for you, then consider going all the way to this Sena ZipBook. It's made from leather and enables you to cover your iPad in a complete housing that will protect it against all drops, scratches, and scuffles.
HyperMac HyperDrive iPad Hard Drive
Company : HyperMac
URL: www.hyperdrive.fom/ipad
Price: 320GB ■ £275; 500GB - £305; 750GB - £365
The second model in the HyperDrive range is even more
ingenious than the first, like the basic HyperDrive, this model
connects to your iPad using Apple's Camera Connection Kit,
allowing you to easily store and transfer all your music, photos
and video files onto the iPad. However, this model also has
two slots for reading memory cards, as well as a 3.2" LCD
screen for browsing photos, which makes it a great back-up
tool for photographers.
Apple iPad Keyboard Dock
Price: £57
Anti-iPad whingers have focused on how difficult it is to type on the device. Well, there are a couple of options available to help you do that, with Apple's own IPad Keyboard Dock expressly designed to make data input and writing easier. It looks great - and let's hope there are apps to do it justice.
BTKey
Company; Ma cal I y
URL: www.maGlly.com
Price: £59
Macally have launched a range of iPad accessories - but their BTKey keyboard isn't specifically for the iPad. Bluetooth-enabled, this is a full-sized QWERTY keyboard which couples with your iPad to add full typing capability. Unlike the Apple Keyboard Dock, it has a full numeric keypad, too.
Macally have launched a range of iPad accessories - but their BTKey keyboard isn't specifically for the iPad. Bluetooth-enabled, this is a full-sized QWERTY keyboard which couples with your iPad to add full typing capability. Unlike the Apple Keyboard Dock, it has a full numeric keypad, too.
Cinema Seat
Price: $49.99 (£31)
Keep the kids entertained by using this nifty gadget to attach an iPad 2 to the rear of your car headrest. On the rear is a large strap that enables you to hook it to your car seat. This turns it into an Instant in-car television system for the kids in the back. Pop on a movie and drive in peace as the iPad keeps them entertained.
Flex Stand for Apple iPad
Company: M-Edge
URL: www.medgesttire.com
Price: $29.99 (£20)Part iPad case, part tripod, this stand has flexible legs which enable you to orient your iPad in portrait or (andscape mode. We're rather worried that, were we to own one, we'd want to throw it across the room to see if it's self-righting. Which it definitely isn't.
HyperMac Stand
Company: HyperMac
Price: £109.99
The iPad has great battery life, but it could still run flat if you're using it away from home or on a long plane flight. The HyperMac Stand is doubly useful as it's a handy pocket-sized stand that allows you to tilt the iPad at two different angles for reading or watching videos. It's also got a built-in battery pack that allows you to charge the iPad for up to 16 extra hours.
The iPad has great battery life, but it could still run flat if you're using it away from home or on a long plane flight. The HyperMac Stand is doubly useful as it's a handy pocket-sized stand that allows you to tilt the iPad at two different angles for reading or watching videos. It's also got a built-in battery pack that allows you to charge the iPad for up to 16 extra hours.
WaterGuard Waterproof Case for iPad
Company: Trendy Digital
Price: £18.99
It looks a bit like a clear plastic bag for your iPad - and that's pretty much what this is. A low-tech solution for keeping your iPad splash-free in wet environments, the WaterGuard has a couple of press-studs which seal it shut. A shoulder strap is included.
iWrap
Company: Virtuosity Products
URL: www.getiwrap.com
Price: $29.95 (£20)
Worried about getting greasy smears on your iPad? iWrap is special plastic film, pre-cut to fit, that you stick to your iPad's screen and base. The process seems a bit fiddly, but once applied, the iWrap will protect your iPad from the elements.
Travel Vest
Company: Scottevest
URL: www.scottevesl.com
Price: $100 (£65)
This isn't what we would call a vest-just as well, as the idea of a string undergarment with an iPad pocket is too strange even for us. We'd call this a body-warmer, one of whose 22 pockets is designed to fit an iPad. It's outdoorsy and geeky at the same time.
Hip Bag
Company: M-Edge
URL: www.medgeslore.com
Price: $49.99 (£33.33)
Available in the same colours as M-Edge's range of sleeves, this messenger-style bag is blokey without being macho. Made from tough double-layered canvas treated with Scotchgard to make it water-repellent, it features leather detailing, too, making it a great choice for iPad-using hipsters.
HyperMac Mini/Micro Battery Packs
Price:Micro - £69.99; £89.99
HyperMac recently updated its IPad battery packs, giving them the same powerful battery as its MacSook rechargers. There are two versions available and a choice often eye-catching colours. The Micro battery pack measures just 1.6cm thick, andean power your iPad for an additional five hours, while the Mini is only slightly larger but doubles the battery life to an extra ten hours. They can charge an iPhone, too, as well as other devices such as digital cameras.
HyperMac recently updated its IPad battery packs, giving them the same powerful battery as its MacSook rechargers. There are two versions available and a choice often eye-catching colours. The Micro battery pack measures just 1.6cm thick, andean power your iPad for an additional five hours, while the Mini is only slightly larger but doubles the battery life to an extra ten hours. They can charge an iPhone, too, as well as other devices such as digital cameras.
iSPI 50 Speaker Bar
Company: iLuv
URL; www.i-luv.com
Price: £21.50
The iPad's speakers haven't won that many fans in early reviews - so will this auxiliary speaker do the trick? Its makers claim the Speaker Bar produces clear sound and is fully mobile. It plugs into the iPad's headphone socket.
The iPad's speakers haven't won that many fans in early reviews - so will this auxiliary speaker do the trick? Its makers claim the Speaker Bar produces clear sound and is fully mobile. It plugs into the iPad's headphone socket.
Bluetooth Music Receiver
Company: Bel kin
URL: www.beIkin.com
Price: £22
Need more welly than a dock or an external speaker can provide? Just connect this clever receiver to your home hi-fi and send music to it from your iPad by Bluetooth - you'll have as much wattage as your amp can provide. Tested with the iPad by Macworld in the US, it's designed for any Bluetooth-enabled media device.
Need more welly than a dock or an external speaker can provide? Just connect this clever receiver to your home hi-fi and send music to it from your iPad by Bluetooth - you'll have as much wattage as your amp can provide. Tested with the iPad by Macworld in the US, it's designed for any Bluetooth-enabled media device.
iPad Camera Connection Kit
Company: Apple
URL: www.apple.coin/ipad
Price: £26
This has caused a bit of a stir among reviewers, as it features the only known adaptors
between the iPad Dock connector and USB and SO devices. Use it to transfer content from digital cameras in any of the formats the iPad supports.
between the iPad Dock connector and USB and SO devices. Use it to transfer content from digital cameras in any of the formats the iPad supports.
PowerJoltfor iPad
Company: Griffin
Price: £16.99
If you need to charge your iPad in the car, then Griffin's PowerJolt for iPad should do the trick. Unlike some other USB-based chargers, this gadget has plenty of juice, delivering 2.1 amps at 5 volts when plugged into your car's lighter socket. It ships with its own dock cable.
If you need to charge your iPad in the car, then Griffin's PowerJolt for iPad should do the trick. Unlike some other USB-based chargers, this gadget has plenty of juice, delivering 2.1 amps at 5 volts when plugged into your car's lighter socket. It ships with its own dock cable.
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