Apple announces keyboard dock for iPad
Other accessories include a dock to turn the iPad into a digital picture frame, and a case that serves as a stand.
Image courtesy Engadget
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Apple announced a few accessories for the iPad today, including an iPad Keyboard Dock. This will be welcome news for those of us who just...
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I will be using my existing Apple bluetooth keyboard, thank you very much.
January 27 2010 at 7:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI wonder if you'll be able to use a bluetooth mouse with iPad. A mouse along with the keyboard dock would essentially transform iPad into enough of a "regular computer" that a big subset of users wouldn't even need another computer (ie. "home-computer") at all.
This Keyboard Dock is a little wierdly shaped to travel with comfortably but the bluetooth keyboard will be perfect for that!
...so it's a big iphone...with all it's shortcomings.
What is revolutionary about that?
I expected more to be honest.
Yeap, me too honestly...
As said before. As a phone, the iPhone is where it is. I do like its size and weight. But I dislike the fact that you are still better with a laptop for what this is geared to.
There are many different options and although they are NOT touchscreen, which could be the big hit, I still feel it's just an oversized iphone, w/o any type of phone capabilities. I do see the 3G, if you are allowed voip, as the correct solution and it's already implemented on the device.
We'll see how it goes. I still feel it's jack of all trades. I hope that on 2011, it comes to par with what it should have. This version must be skipped.
I would agree with you, but for one more thing... the A4 chip.
That has me trembling with excitement, the first bespoke Apple chip to come out of its acquisition of PA Semi.
Is this the processor for the next iPhone/iPod Touch?
Gadzooks!
So, did Apple keep that turd of an onscreen keyboard from the iPhone (seriously, all that new real estate and we still have those stupid "123" buttons?!) in order to boost sales of the new keyboard dock? Signs point to yes.
(And they had to go with the worst name, too.)
Fix the onscreen keyboard and figure out a solution for Flash, though, and I'm waiting in line for one.
They are selling an iPad Camera Connection Kit.. maybe the USB cn be used to attacha webcam to skype etc. Another option would be a bluetooth webcam? If a keyboard can connect, why cant a BT webcam?
"The Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera. The Camera Connector lets you import your photos and videos to iPad using the camera’s USB cable. Or you can use the SD Card Reader to import photos and videos directly from the camera’s SD card."
At least they got SOMETHING right.
January 27 2010 at 3:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm really disappointed that it doesn't have a built-in video camera for iChating / Skyping. This may be a matter of product differentiation or deals with telecoms but eventually consumer desire for such capabilities will be such that companies will have to succumb. Also I hope that telecoms will eventually just sell access plans (for reasonable prices) rather than ridiculous voice and data for exorbitant fees - it's an artificial distinction; it's all ones and zeros. Anyway Apple, when you add a camera / video, then I'm in, but I can wait until then.
January 27 2010 at 3:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI can understand the need for a front-facing camera for chat/skype, but for photos and video?
I just cannot imagine myself holding this big a device up to take pics/videos.
a built in camera would be stupid.. can you see yourself holding this up to your face?
besdies. check the spec page - support for camera kit (thinking very small isight - like the old discontinued firewire one)
The Keyboard Dock is a dock for charging your iPad, integrated with a full-size keyboard. The dock has a rear 30-pin connector, which lets you connect to an electrical outlet using a USB Power Adapter, sync to your computer, and use accessories like the Camera Connection Kit. And an audio jack lets you connect to a stereo or powered speakers.
Can anyone please find out if the iDock (imagine the typo possibilities there!) will work with the iPhone? That would be hugely helpful on trips because you could then leave the laptop behind.
January 27 2010 at 3:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI concur with LaLo. If I am already coming up with needed modifications, then I'd say it's obsolete and will not be a major contribution to personal computing and telecommunications.
January 27 2010 at 3:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replythere will also be a dock connector -> vga adapter for 1024x768pixel output to a monitor.
would also be interesting to know what you can do with a little jailbreaking and the camera usb connector.... time will tell
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