Dear Aunt TUAW: Can I use a USB keyboard or headset with my iPad?
Dear Aunt TUAW, I love my new iPad and I plan to use it for some heavy duty writing. But I'd rather not fork out all the money that Apple is asking for a Bluetooth external keyboard [or a keyboard dock]. Do you know of any workaround? Is there a way, maybe, to use a standard USB keyboard with the iPad? Thanks for letting me know.
Love & Kissies,
Your Nephew [Name Withheld]
My darling nephew,
Although you can pick up an inexpensive second-hand Bluetooth keyboard on eBay (I recently spent about $40 on my new-to-me Think Outside Stowaway unit), there is a glimmer of hope on the USB keyboard horizon.
TUAW just received a tip from reader Jonathan, who is playing with his new Camera Connection Kit. (Auntie's is still on the way, I'm afraid.) He tells us he was able to successfully connect a USB keyboard and type directly on his iPad. He also reports that the kit allows users to import photos directly from their iPhones, as was expected and specified.
It's also worth noting that Glenn Fleischman at TidBITS has just reported that a standard USB audio headset works for output and input to the iPad via the Camera Connection Kit; he was able to use the Skype app for a call via this setup, with excellent quality.
So far this is the first Auntie's heard about the keyboard and audio support via the Camera Connection Kit -- she suspects that these features may not be 'officially supported' -- but if these developments pan out you can likely carry along the USB connection cable from the kit and any folding keyboard or audio headset you already have around the house! Just be aware that there isn't a huge difference in price between USB and Bluetooth foldable these days, so if you have to buy, you might as well go straight for the Bluetooth solution.
Sending you keyboard hugs and USB snuggles,
Auntie T.
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Dear Aunt TUAW, I love my new iPad and I plan to use it for some heavy duty writing. But I'd rather not fork out all the money that...
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Would this connection kit allow me to connect a USB keyboard to my iPod Touch 32GB? or is jailbreaking and bluetooth pairing the only way to connect a keyboard to the iPod touch?
May 26 2010 at 2:28 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI wonder if this could be done with the regular sync cable connected to a USB hub (probably a powered one... high powered enough to charge the iPad) and then to a keyboard/etc.... This would make any cheap iPad stand (official or homebrew) a really nice iPad charger/dock to a keyboard, and camera.
Even a regular USB hub should theoretically do the trick to eliminate the camera connection kit as a necessary accessory and allow connection to a camera and maybe a keyboard as well.
Is it possible to display any iPhone/iPad app in a monitor or TV? If not, can an app be design to achieve this functionality?
April 29 2010 at 5:28 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyRe: Bluetooth tethering from the iPhone. I just bought an iPad and tried tethering with my UK iPhone.
It didn't work.
It works, however, using the jailbroken app Mywi, which tethers your 3G signal via wi-fi to anyone who's around, not only to iPads!
@frogbat,
simple, if they built in a USB port it would create 2 problems:
1. It would take up significant interior space.
2. It would rob them (Apple) of an additional revenue stream (selling the camera connection kit)
you are welcome,
Dim
And said USB port would suck the life out of the iPad to the tune of probably 5-6 hrs battery life vs the 10 now.
April 25 2010 at 5:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replythis begs the question... why doesn't it have a usb port - it would increase this device's functionality and compete even further with netbooks
here's hoping v2 has at least 1 usb port
If I can connect my IBM Model M keyboard to it, I will be in heaven :-)
April 24 2010 at 11:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIf one can plug in a USB keyboard, it would stand to reason that a plugging in a USB dongle for remote keyboard would be another way to allow keyboard use.
April 24 2010 at 9:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHow much do you want to bet a firmware update will "fix" this unauthorized device "problem"?
April 24 2010 at 2:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyQ: External USB microphones for recording?
I notice that it does NOT allow a Blue Mikey to work for stereo recording, even with Blue's superior (and free) recorder.
Q: External video sources viewed live on the screen via USB or 30-pin?
This would make a great HD monitor for HDSLR cameras and camcorders.
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