17 iPad Accessories

In this chapter we use some optional accessories like cases, docks, keyboards, and adapters.

→ Apple iPad Dock

→ Apple iPad Case

→ Apple iPad Dock to VGA Adapter

→ Apple Wireless Keyboard

→ Apple iPad Keyboard Dock

→ Power/Dock Accessories

→ Protecting Your iPad

→ Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit

Many accessories available for your iPad perform a variety of tasks, protect it, or just make it look pretty.

You might already have some things that work with your iPad—Bluetooth headsets and keyboards, for instance. Let’s look at a variety of accessories to see how to use them.

Apple iPad Dock

Although the iPad comes with a dock cable and charger, you might want to dock it in an upright position, rather than having it flat on a table. The iPad Dock from Apple enables you to stand the iPad up vertically while it’s either plugged in to a power outlet or docked with your computer. You can also use the iPad in this position and even pipe the audio into external speakers through the dock.

(Courtesy of Apple Inc.)

1. Plug the dock cable that came with your iPad into the back of the iPad Dock.
2. Plug the other end of the dock cable into the USB port of your computer.
3. Plug in the input cable from a set of computer speakers into the audio jack in the back of the iPad Dock.
4. Slip your iPad into the iPad Dock. A connection should establish between your computer and the iPad, just as if you used the cable by itself.
5. Run any audio-producing app, such as iPod. Music should now go through your external speakers, rather than just the built-on speakers of the iPad.

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Power Dock

You can also connect the dock cable to the power supply that came with your iPad. Then the iPad Dock acts as a power station. You can also use the iPad while charging, or you can put it in picture frame mode. Or it can run some nice speakers and act as a music system.

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Not All Power Is the Same

Your iPad requires extra power to charge properly. With the power supply that came with your iPad, it should charge fully after about 4 hours. But with an iPhone power supply, or while hooked up to a full-power USB port on a computer, it takes twice that amount of time. Some low-power USB ports on computers won’t charge the iPad at all.

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Apple iPad Case

What’s so special about the Apple iPad case? Surely it is no different than the hundreds of other cases available from other companies? At the time of the iPad’s release, the Apple iPad case has several advantages over other cases. It is a hard-sided case that also acts as a stand for the iPad.

(Courtesy of Apple Inc.)

(Courtesy of Apple Inc.)

(Courtesy of Apple Inc.)

Apple iPad Dock to VGA Adapter

The Apple iPad Dock to VGA Adapter is perhaps the only disappointing Apple accessory. The connector attaches on one end to the dock port on the bottom of your iPad. The other end is a VGA port you attach to a VGA cable that can then be attached to a monitor or projector.

The disappointing part is that it doesn’t display the iPad’s screen on the external display. Instead, it shows only video from the Videos and YouTube apps, presentations from Keynote, and slideshows from Photos.

(Courtesy of Apple Inc.)

Apple Wireless Keyboard

If you have a lot of typing to do, and are sitting at a desk anyway, you can use Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard with your iPad. This is the same wireless keyboard that you would use with a Mac.

(Courtesy of Apple Inc.)

Apple iPad Keyboard Dock

Another way to use a keyboard is to get the special keyboard dock from Apple. This device combines an iPad Dock with a keyboard and connects the two via a physical dock rather than a wireless connection.

(Courtesy of Apple Inc.)

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Vertical Screen Only

One problem with the Keyboard Dock is that by docking the iPad on it, you have to use the iPad in vertical screen orientation. So you can’t type in horizontal screen orientation, which some people might prefer. (Some apps work only in horizontal mode.)

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Besides not being wireless, this keyboard has many iPad-specific special keys:

• Home button: This is at the upper left and acts like the Home button on the iPad. It also wakes the iPad from the Lock screen.

• Search button: The second from the left, this button takes you to the Search screen.

• Brightness: Two buttons moved slightly over from their positions on the Bluetooth keyboard.

• Picture Frame: A special button that activates picture frame mode.

• Keyboard: A button that switches you to the on-screen keyboard.

• Lock button: This turns off the iPad, much like the wake/sleep button would.

There are also audio playback controls and volume controls in the same locations as on the wireless keyboard. Missing from the keyboard is an fn button used on a Mac to switch the top row of keys to F1–F12 keys.

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Wireless Versus Dock

So which is better: the wireless keyboard or the docked keyboard? The wireless keyboard seems to have a distinct edge. You can use your iPad in horizontal or vertical mode. You can keep your iPad in its case. You can adjust the position of the iPad relative to the keyboard. And you can use a wireless keyboard with other devices, not just the iPad.

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There’s a third way you can use a keyboard with your iPad. You can connect low-power USB keyboards through the USB connector that comes with the iPad Camera Connection Kit.

Power/Dock Accessories

A power user of any gadget usually acquires additional power chargers and cables. For instance, you might want to charge your iPad at home and at work. Remembering to carry the adapter with you everywhere you go usually doesn’t work out. Here is a list of items you might want to consider:

• Apple iPad 10W USB power adapter: A 10-watt adapter that charges the iPad at full speed, faster than a standard USB port. This adapter comes with a 6-foot-long cord, which makes it different than the one you get with your iPad. You get a dock cable along with it.

• Apple dock connector to USB cable: If you just want the dock cable to plug your iPad into a Mac or PC for syncing and slow charging. It is always good to have a spare one of these, as losing your one and only one means you can’t charge or sync your iPad. But if you have a recent iPhone or iPod, you already have another dock cable. But the older dock cables might not work with the iPad.

(Courtesy of Apple Inc.)

(Courtesy of Griffin)

• Griffin PowerJolt Car Charger: If you want to charge your iPad in your car, this car charger does the trick. You can also look at the Kensington PowerBolt Micro Car Charger and the Incase Car Charger. Incase also makes a “combo” charger that works from both AC power and cars.

Protecting Your iPad

You probably want to get a protective case for your iPad. The problem here is not finding one, but choosing from the hundreds of models already available.

An example is the Belkin Grip Sleeve for iPad. An inexpensive case, it is form fitting, but enables just enough room for you to also have the Apple iPad Case around the iPad.

(Courtesy of Belkin International Inc.)

The Grip Sleeve acts as travel protection, while the Apple iPad Case acts as protection while you use your iPad. You don’t need to switch between them because one easily fits inside the other.

When looking for a case there are many things to consider. Don’t just look in a local Apple Store because it stocks only a few cases. Look online to discover a wide variety. Pick one that fits your needs and style.

Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit

The Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit has two parts, both of which connect to your iPad via the dock port. The first part is an SD card reader. You connect one end to the iPad dock port and you plug a standard SD card, the type most cameras use, into the other end. The second part has a USB connection on the second end. You can connect a digital camera to your iPad using it.

(Courtesy of Apple Inc.)