What could be better than an iPad? The answer: an iPad with all the right accessories. We pick the best extras and add-ons from the current crop
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 looks like it'll soon become one oFthe 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 alsoworkwith 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 oF third-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?
Flip Jacket for Apple iPad
Company: M-Edge
URL: www.medgestore.com
Price: 549.99 (£33)
Mourning the loss of your Moleskine notebook? M-Edge's Flip Jacket transforms your IPad into a digital approximation thereof - so you can be old school and new school at the same time. This leather and canvas cover comes in six tasteful colours. The similarly styled Trip jacket, with a vertical strap, will also be available.
Apple iPad Case
The Apple iPad Case is a thing of versatile loveliness: it's both a case and a stand, with holes in all the right places for ports and buttons.
We only wish it came in more colours besides black.
UK pricing had still to be confirmed at the time of writing.
ForMoa
Company: LaCie
URL: www.LAcie.com/uK
Price: £23.99
The ForMoa is a dinky carry case designed to fit a 10.2"netbook - so just about the right size for the iPad. Now available in five Colours, it has removable handles so it can be carried like a case or used as a sleeve. The material is durable but flexible Neoprene.
iPad Box
Company: Substrata
URL; www.substrata.com
Price: TBA
Substrata goes one further in the wooden accessories stakes, with a wooden box for the IPad. It's still a prototype-production versions are expected in June. A luxurious affair, it features polished walnut plus magnetic catches, so when it comes to pricing, we're thinking loadsamoney...
Substrata goes one further in the wooden accessories stakes, with a wooden box for the IPad. It's still a prototype-production versions are expected in June. A luxurious affair, it features polished walnut plus magnetic catches, so when it comes to pricing, we're thinking loadsamoney...
ModuIR
Company; ModuIR
URL: www.modulrcase.com
Price:TBA
The moduIR for IPad Isn't so much a case as an accessory system. The polymer moduIR is designed to withstand knocks. Add-ons transform the case into a picture frame or something you can mount in your car. You can even tote it around with a shoulder strap.
Carbon Fiber iPad Case
Company: Dro Concepts
URL: www.droConcepts.Com
URL: www.droConcepts.Com
Price: $119.99 (£80)
The price tag is hefty, but this is one industrial-strength case. Weighing about half a pound, this Neoprene-lined sleeve is crafted from carbon fibre, making it incredibly tough. No-nonsense styling makes it easy to whip out your IPad when you need to wow the sales guys with your presentation.
The price tag is hefty, but this is one industrial-strength case. Weighing about half a pound, this Neoprene-lined sleeve is crafted from carbon fibre, making it incredibly tough. No-nonsense styling makes it easy to whip out your IPad when you need to wow the sales guys with your presentation.
Flex Stand for Apple iPad
Company: M-Edge
URL; www.medgestore.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 landscape 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.
Part iPad case, part tripod, this stand has flexible legs which enable you to orient your iPad in portrait or landscape 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.
A-Frame
Company: Griffin
URL: www.griffintechnology.com
Price; £39.99
Sturdy and functional, Griffin's A-frame is very businesslike. Described as "heavy aluminium" it has the robust looks of a guitar stand, and the cradle will hold an iPad alone or one in a hard case. Orienting to portrait or landscape formats, it's very blokey.
ViewStand
Company: Macally
URL: www.macally.com
Price: TBA
With looks that seem to be inspired by the curved design of the current iMac range, the Macally ViewStand makes it easy to prop up your iPad on a desk or table. Temporarily transform it into a portable viewing screen or picture frame, or couple it with a Macally BTKey keyboard for a very mini Mac experience.
Cool Feet
Company: Bluelounge
URl: www.Bluelounge.com
Price: $12.95 (£8,63)
You could own a set of four Bluelounge Cool Feet and still have change left out of a tenner. Designed to improve airflow beneath notebook computers, these budget alternatives to a full-blown stand attach to the bottom of your iPad using suction power, detaching easily when required.
Pogo Sketch
Company: Ten 1
URL: www.tenonedesign.com
Price: $14.95 (£10)
Excuse me, Mr Jobs, why did you ship a tablet with a conductive screen, but no
stylus? That would seem a bit of a no-brainer. Fortunately, the Pogo Sketch is a stylus that works on an iPhone or iPad, so no more fat-fingered drawing. Hurrah!
stylus? That would seem a bit of a no-brainer. Fortunately, the Pogo Sketch is a stylus that works on an iPhone or iPad, so no more fat-fingered drawing. Hurrah!
Mantis iPad Speaker System
Price: TBA
Wouldn't it be great if you could have an iPod-style speaker dock, but for an iPad? Vestalife thought the same thing, hence this iPad speaker system based on their existing rangeof accessories. The spherical device comes in a range of colours and is styled after the Mantis iPod dock.
Wouldn't it be great if you could have an iPod-style speaker dock, but for an iPad? Vestalife thought the same thing, hence this iPad speaker system based on their existing rangeof accessories. The spherical device comes in a range of colours and is styled after the Mantis iPod dock.
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