The iPad Accessories Review team wish to express their condolences for the passing of the great man that bought us the iPad (and a few other things).

RIP Steve Jobs.

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

The web is filled with iPad 2 rumours. Rather than come up with my own, I thought i’d just give a brief overview of what other people are saying. What do you think? Let us know in the comments!

Possible release times for iPad version 2:

1) An Apple rumor announces the new iPad 2 will be released in February 2011. The new iPad specs and rumors include a camera, better resolution and FaceTime.
Rumors regarding the iPad specs include a smaller screen size. The screen size will be set at 7 inches

http://www.suite101.com/content/ipad-generation-2-ipad-version-2-release-date-and-specifications-a319055

2) Digitimes has revealed that the iPad 2 will go into production by the end of January 2011 with a predicted release date of April or May.

http://www.gadgetsandgizmos.org/apple-ipad-2-manufactured-in-january-release-april-2011/

3) Apple has been refreshing iOS devices such as the iPhone and iPod touch annually. If the company stays on schedule, the iPad is due for an update in April 2011.

http://www.theipadguide.com/faq/what-ipad-2-2nd-generation-release-date

4) Officially, the iPad 2 release date was scheduled for April 2011 because its firmware needs/needed further testing.

http://www.gforgames.com/gadgets/news-gadgets/ipad-2-release-date-rumors-spreading-foxconn-2117/
Possible features of iPad version 2:

1) Expected features of iPad version 2:

• The iPad 2 is expected to have a camera a better screen that supports Facetime
• Apple’s Retina display present in the iPhone 4 is also expected to be a part of the next generation iPad
• An increase in display resolution and above 7-inch display. However, there are also some speculations that the iPad 2 will have a 5.6-inch screen, but based on what Steve Jobs often say that “there won’t be a 7-inch iPad 2”, then this speculation is not really possible at all
• An increase in memory is also expected
• A possible 2 GHz processor
• Wireless printing feature

http://pinoytutorial.com/techtorial/ipad-2-release-date-specs-update-2011/

2) Rumours about features of iPad version 2:

• Front-facing 640×480 camera with FaceTime chat support
• High-res camera on the back (resolution unknown, probably the same 5MP as the iPhone 4)
• Dual-core CPU based on A9 ARM Cortex platform at 1GHz per core (likely to be branded “A5″ by Apple, just to confuse consumers)
• Improved sound, with a larger speaker on the back left corner of the iPad
• Addition of a 3-axis gyroscope to improve gaming and interactivity
• RAM increase from 256MB to 512MB
• Screen size will remain at 9.7-inches – no 7-inch or smaller version plannes
• Possible increase in screen resolution, leveraging “Retina display” tech from iPhone 4
• Slightly reduced body size and a flat back instead of a curved one (time to buy some new cases)
• MicroUSB port to meet European regulations on mobile device chargers
• Announcement likely to come at MacWorld Expo between Jan. 26 and 29th, with the iPad 2 shipping sometime in February or March 2011.
• Pricing likely to remain the same as 1st gen models

http://technabob.com/blog/2010/12/26/ipad-2-specs-rumors/

3) The new iPad 2 is supposed to bring you the following specs and features: video phone capability, new display technology, 3-axis gyroscope, better mobility and USB connectivity.

http://nexus404.com/Blog/2010/11/26/five-ipad-2-specs-features-revealed-by-recent-report-upcoming-ipad-2-to-offer-video-calling-better-display-3-axis-gyroscope-usb-better-mobility/

4) Possible features for iPad version 2:
Hardware
• A camera, maybe even front facing for video chat
• More memory
• SD slot for direct access for camera memory cards
• GPS in the WiFi only model

Software
• Ability to tag photos after copying from camera, eg faces, places etc so when sync back to Mac they are already done.
• Make it more of a productivity, more laptop-esque for business

URL: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=929138

Possible name for iPad version 2:

There’s one little problem with the upcoming iPad 2: no one has been able to confirm that it’ll actually be called “iPad 2.” Apple’s second generation tablet will certainly continue to carry the “iPad” brand name, but that doesn’t mean we know what name the product will officially carry.
Here are some possible brand names, in no particular order, that the second generation iPad could launch under:
1) iPad 2: The argument for this is that Apple wants to make it clear that the original iPad is outdated the moment the second one hits shelves. The argument against is that since Steve Jobs returned to the company in 1997, no second generation hardware product has carried the “2″ moniker. The second iMac was called iMac, the second iPod was called iPod, and so on.
2) iPad: With consumers having had no problem figuring out that the second version of the iMac and iPod were indeed new, Apple could get away with simply giving the new iPad the name “iPad” again and putting faith in the public’s ability to judge “the new iPad” on its own merits rather than on an arbitrary naming convention. Then again, the product has been so commonly referred to as “iPad 2″ leading up to its introduction that Apple might do well to simply ride that train.

http://www.beatweek.com/uncategorized/7808-naming-ipad-2-actual-brand-name-strategies-instead-of-ipad-2/

Just a quick bit of news, Apple have announced that the iPad will soon feature a wireless printing option. Named “Airplay”, this feature will be available in iOS 4.2 and should be ready on HP’s range of ePrint printers from November.

This means another round of iPad accessories to support this wireless printing capability. You’ll be able to find your printer on a wireless network and use that to print out all of those lovely photos, documents and anything else that you find while using the iPad and all without the need for any specific drivers.

HP seem to be hot on the trail and are putting the new AirPrinting feature on their future ePrint ink and laser printers. Although HP are the only company that will support this at first, and all in time for Christmas, others are sure to follow suit.

The AirPrint feature is also coming to iPhone and iPads when the iOS 4.2 is released at the beginning of November.

You can view the full Apple press release here.

The iOS 4.2 also brings Multitasking and Airplay to iPad owners. Airplay gives you the ability to play media from your iPad on on your TV via Apple TV or airport express. This feature certainly has a lot of potential as Apple tries to integrate your entire digital life with ease.

Of course as soon as some iPad printers start to hit the market we’ll be sure to let you know.

What do you think about iPad iOS 4.2 and it’s new features? Let us know in the comments below.

It’s been quite a few months since the iPad was launched. There is no denying that it has been phenomenally successful. It seems that, although a lot of the initial purchases were made by some of the millions of people dubbed as ‘Apple Fan Boys’, there are also an increasing amount of so called normal people who enjoy the benefits an easy to use and simple device can offer them.

Aside from the huge success of the iPad device itself, there have been a lot of success stories for those people who manufacture Apple iPad accessories. It seems the lions share of the successes are for the case makers. Let’s take the example of the DODOcase, a new business, which has sold over 10,000 cases at $60 per unit. You can see that that soon adds up to some interesting figures for a company only created in the last six months. While there is a lot of competition in the iPad case market, this is good for customers as it gives them plenty of choice when trying to decide which case to get their hands on.

Outside of the competitive third-party case market, there are other great peripherals available for the iPad that increase the usability of this great device. It seems that with such devices as the iPad dock and keyboard dock, people are enjoying having the official Apple product for these uses. There are some alternatives available, and one of the popular things to do for conventional typing on the iPad is to use the gorgeous Apple Bluetooth keyboard with your device.

What does the future hold for the iPad and the iPad accessories manufacturers? While all the focus seems to be in the iPhone 4.0 at the moment, you can be sure that Apple execs are monitoring the success of the iPad closely and monitoring it’s customer feedback to ensure that the next update of the iPad will bring some, if not all of the missing features that people are looking for. It seems that from a software point of view at least the iPad is running in conjunction with updates for the iPhone at least in part so it will be very interesting to see how these items develop in parallel over the coming months. Traditionally January and June are major times for Apple announcements so I guess we will just have to sit tight for until early next year for any idea of what the future holds from a hardware point of view.

Regardless of the future hardware updates, we can be sure that some great new innovations in the iPad accessories market will continue to be made. We’re looking forward to seeing more uses of this fantastic device in the fields on business and medicine, while understanding better ways we can use it at home to make our lives easier. It’s easy to speculate that we could soon be seeing our iPads interact with other gadgets in our house such as our ovens, baths and fridges so we can live in a truly automated home. The iPad and an even growing range of accessories are well poised to be the de-facto devices for such technological advances.

OK, for all of our readers who have been waiting for the global iPad launch date it is finally here. Apple have announced that it will go on sale in nine countries on the 28th May 2010.

Now, as you know the US market first got hold of the iPad on the 3rd of April 2010 and since then it is reported that over a million iPads have been purchased. People were also snapping up iPad accessories along with their puchase, and since the launch more and more accessories have exploed on to the market. Well it looks like both Apple and the third-party suppliers will be targeting these new terretories along with this release date.

The countries that the iPad will be released in on 28th May 2010 are:

• Australia
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Japan
• Spain
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom

If you are one of the lucky people living in one of these countries you will be able to pre-order your iPad from the 10th May 2010. Check your local Apple store for prices, but as a guide we can tell you that they range in price from £429 for the 16GB wifi only version to £699 for the 64GB wifi/3G version. Of course the 3G versions will also need a data contract which will put the overall price up.

Don’t forget to get your hands on the essential iPad accessories to get the most out of your new toy.

You’ve probably noticed the buzz about the next generation iPhone being found in a bar, in Germany of all places. This is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, there is the possibility that people were waiting for news of this before deciding to invest in an iPad. Secondly, it could, to some extent, give the people who aren’t early adopters the chance to decide what the next iPad could possibly feature. The front facing camera and flash are sure to be interesting, and long overdue features for many iPhone and even iPad users.

With the formal unveiling of the new iPhone 4.0 software a few weeks back, which will come to the iPad too, it’s looking like a hot time to be a new Apple gadget owner.

What do you think about this latest development?

The iPad hits stores in the US today. Of course journalists and those people like Mr. Stephen Fry who have large numbers of ‘tweeps’ following their every word have had iPad’s for days.

Stephen Fry posted this unboxing video, we’ll actually he just shows you the boxes, but what we like about this video is it shows a few of the iPad accessories. As you’ll see in the video he’s gone for the iPad protective case and the iPad keyboard dock. We’re sure that these are going to be the most popular accessories, let us know what you think in the comments.

This is it folks, the moment you have been waiting for, the Apple iPad launch date has been announced today by Apple Inc, and they are saying that iPads will be in the US Apple stores from the 3rd of April. Expect queues! You can pre-order your iPad from the 12th of March, 2010 from the Apple website for delivery (in the US) or reserve it to pick up at your nearest Apple store.

Apple iPad US Launch Date

As usual the US of A is getting them first, but they are due to be released in nine other countries throughout the world later in April. There are two models initially available, one with Wi-Fi only and a 3G and Wi-Fi version that requires you to sign up to an AT&T contract for 3G access. It is expected that the Wi-Fi only version will be the most popular and is priced at $499.

The iPad release date announcement is welcomed by many Apple enthusiasts, as there has been speculation about why the release date for this device has not been announced sooner. As always, the Mac fan market is very vocal about all of its thoughts on their beloved company.

The Apple iPad is set to transform the portable computer market, and already manufacturers are anticipating a massive onslaught of demand for iPad accessories as well. The iPad was announced at the keynote speak by Steve Jobs at the end of January. Many people thought that it was going to be called the iSlate, but the name of iPad had been speculated on as well.

It is expected that the iPad will be very popular for Apple. They have laid a lot of golden eggs in the past, and this latest product is set to continue that trend. The success of the Apple App store with the iPod touch and iPhone is only set to continue as the iPad SDK has been made available to developers. There are sure to be a lot of interesting applications for this device and the only limitation is the developers’ imaginations.

Along with the launch of the iPad, comes the launch of the iBook store. When Apple launched iTunes, no-one could have expected that it would have been as big a success as it has been. Perhaps the iPad will revolutionize the book market in the same way, only time will tell.

Make sure that you stayed tuned to iPad Accessories Review for all the latest iPad and accessories news.

The folks over at iLounge say that the Apple iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter will allow you to connect up your iPad to a monitor or projector, via the iPad dock. The Apple iPad specs page doesn’t list this out as a separate accessory, but does make mention of it in under the TV and video section of the specs.

An iPad to VGA connector is certainly going to be another useful feature, especially when it comes to the iPad making the crossover from the personal to business world. You can be sure that the traveling executive, who doesn’t want to lug around their heavy laptop, will love the fact that they can just slip their iPad in their bag and hook it up to an external visual display when needed.

The iPad dock connector to VGA adapter, is another of the official iPad accessories. We’re keeping our eyes peeled for the innovations in the third party manufacturers to see what other accessories are going to hit the market.

As you will have seen in some of our other posts, at the time of the launch of the iPad, a number of official Apple iPad accessories were announced. On launch, the prices we’re not mentioned, but we can now reveal the pricing to you.

iPad Protective Case

– $39
The Apple version of the iPad case is quite a nice little innovation. Not only does it protect your shiny new gadget from the usual scratches and scrapes of everyday life, but you can also use it as a stand for optimum movie watching, slideshow giving or email typing positions.

iPad Keyboard Dock

– $69
This dock is not only useful for charging your iPad and syncing up your computer, but you can also thanks to the integrated keyboard on the iPad keyboard dock, type up your next novel, or just perhaps reply to some long emails.

iPad Dock

– $29
Like the keyboard dock, but, well, without the keyboard. The iPad dock is just for charging, syncing and hooking up to an external audio system. It also lets you connect up other iPad accessories such as the Camera Connector.

iPad Camera Connection Kit

– $29
This gives you two different ways to connect up your camera to your iPad so you can easily get those photos off there easily. There is a direct USB connector, or you can use the SD card reader, both of which form part of the iPad camera connection kit.

iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter

– $29
According to iLounge this is a cable that lets you easily connect up your iPad to a larger monitor or a projector. This wasn’t announced at launch, and this is only a visual connector you’ll need another connector for the audio.

iPad USB Power Adapter

– $29
Noticing the pattern that all of these prices end in 9? Anyway, the iPad USB power adapter allows you to easily charge your iPad through the mains electrical socket. It has a nice long cable so that you can still use your iPad easily while you are charging it.

So there you have it, pricing for the official Apple iPad accessories. We expect there to be a lot of competition for accessories from third party suppliers, but this gives you an idea of what your initial purchase is going to look like.