iPad has optional keyboard dock, camera connection kit and Apple-designed case
By Paul Miller 
posted January 27th 2010 2:22PM
posted January 27th 2010 2:22PM
This whole time we've been wondering how we'll really get any typing done on Apple's new iPad, and at last we have the answer: an optional keyboard dock! No word on price yet, or whether this will be available at launch -- we'd say "eat your heart out, netbooks" but we won't, because they shouldn't. In even better news, however, the device will also work with standard Bluetooth keyboards like Apple's own wireless QWERTY slabs. Additionally, Apple will be selling a "camera connection kit" to allow you to plug your camera in over USB or use an SD card to import pictures. Finally, there's an Apple-built case for the device that protects the screen, but also doubles as a stand in two different orientations.
Not enough for you? We've got hands-on right here.
Not enough for you? We've got hands-on right here.
@Swagger
Yup, Apple killed it with this idiotic product.
Everyone will run to the HP Slate now.
@Swagger
wrong. by all means, go buy one though. Jobs will need someone to videoconference with... oh wait. I guess you can play Need For Speed with him. No? Hm, well at least you'll be able to read about bad sales numbers on the all new NY Times app!
@Swagger
This one? Yes.
And please stop embarrassing yourself trying to whip up enthusiasm for this thing. Unless you are getting a check, you are just being sad.
Does it PROJECT that keyboard?
@Dan Fruzzetti
lol
insurance mandatory!
@Dan Fruzzetti
doesnt even have a webcam, what more a projector....
@Acey
What a useless device. For the price you pay for the ipad and keyboard you could get a nicely equipped notebook or thin-n-light.
@Dan Fruzzetti Te ipad page is up at apple!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.apple.com/ipad/
@Dan Fruzzetti WOW WTF engadget? While everybody is distracted by the tablet. you guys change the comments from 50 to 10. BUT WHY? I HATE reloading the page JUST to look at comments.
@a dumb cat
THAT DOES FLASH!
@Dan Fruzzetti
also, this is not big on features, steve has made a smart move with the pricing though, his targets people who think "oh well this costs me less than a unlocked iphone and doesnt have recurring contract fee (if not opting for 3g data that is)
implied bad news from the event, we arent probably seeing multitasking (non apple apps)....
i am not half as excited as i was before the event, steve gimme an update on this soon, make the ipad 2g much better
@Acey They will make a webcam for it: 89$
@Sarcasme
i meant built in
@a dumb cat Or for that price you could get a netbook and an iPod Touch. Probably even have some coin left over as you can get a netbook for $229 that will do everything except touch. Then an 8GB Touch if you really need the App Store.
@Drago Why can't Apple learn to use correct English sentences?
"Imagine being able to page through websites [...] or watch a movie. All on a big, beautiful, Multi-Touch screen. With just the touch of a finger."
There is only one sentence in that quote-- the rest are fragments.
"140,000 apps at your fingertips. From day one."
That period was completely unnecessary.
"There’s also a slight curve to the back. Which makes it easy to pick up and comfortable to hold."
Again, why do we need two sentences here.
I guess part of the reason I'm not Apple's biggest fan is because of the way they talk. It really bothers me.
@Dan Fruzzetti
Why couldn't they just add a proper Godamn Bluetooth Stack that supports the current Apple Bluetooth Keyboard!?
OH, I KNOW!
Accessory $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
-_-
@000000
I think Apple did the right thing here, pitching this as a casual device to pick up and do common things comfortably, without having to go and sit at a computer or have a hot chunky laptop on your lap!
Especially with the flurry of PC tablet computers that have hit the market in the last few months (trying to beat Apple to the punch) those companies kinda look silly now because they are all competing with each other and with other devices like laptops etc.
This will sit nicely on my coffee table which will allow me to have a quick glance at the net from the couch with little effort.
When the parents come round, I can hand it to them to look through the latest photo's of the kids.
I can give one to my Dad to get him on-line, so he can surf the net and use email finally with a simple device, without him having to know a load of stuff about computers that he doesn't need to know.
I know people that spend double the price of the iPad on Harmony remotes for example, I predict some slick universal remote software to come out.
That's just some reasons why I think this will be useful, I mean its going to cost around £300, peanuts!
At that price bracket, you could quantify the device for just one of those applications like the universal remote idea. The kindle ebook reader is around £250 I think!
I think people need to get some perspective on where Apple pitched this device before they start complaining it doesn't have laptop type features, that's not where Apple wanted it to contend, which makes complete sense because everyone would then be complaining, "I can't replace my laptop with this without a proper keyboard...blah...blah".
@Eternity It DOES support the existing Apple wireless keyboard. It's the design page under features:
http://www.apple.com/ipad/design/
"Accessories
There are lots of great accessories that have been specifically designed for iPad. The Keyboard Dock, for instance, is a dock with a full-size keyboard. There’s also a standalone Dock. And because iPad has built-in Bluetooth 2.1, it’ll work with an Apple Wireless Keyboard, too. There’s also a Camera Connection Kit that lets you import photos from a camera or SD card. T"
@Dan Fruzzetti Does a mouse with with it? That would make gaming at least decent.
@Dan Fruzzetti
would this also work with an iPhone? I mean they're both the same 30pin connectors
Oh wow. Not.
I want to know why there isn't a separate news story pointing out that it'll also be 'quite flat', and another that it'll be available in a box.
@Barguast
seriously. Engadget == Crapgadget blog on apple's sacaroni lately.
waaahhhhh burger and french cries, this porridge isn't iPhone-ish enough for me.
@Steve Anthony Ballmer
I concur, I think a KIRF version will actually be better than this thing.
@taligent
Since when did little girls utilise sarcasm to demonstrate their indignation?
@Steve Anthony Ballmer
still wont let users just pair it with a bt keyboard? why???
@Steve Anthony Ballmer
Jobs: "Now, some people thought that was a netbook—the problem is that netbooks aren't better than anything!"
Now they are: Introducing the iPad - "better than the laptop, better than the smartphone."
"We think we've got the goods. We think we've done it."
@dark star
A BT keyboard would be a better solution. It wouldn't be tied down to a dock and wouldn't need to be jammed up against the device.
@dark star
http://www.apple.com/ipad/design/
"The Keyboard Dock, for instance, is a dock with a full-size keyboard. There’s also a standalone Dock. And because iPad has built-in Bluetooth 2.1, it’ll work with an Apple Wireless Keyboard, too."
Lame. Not satisfied by the features, but the price is pretty solid. Good job on the price, Stevo.
Seriously, who buys this? Get an iPhone.
@Tweak589
I have an iPod touch. The screen is too small for my liking. The tablet is too big. Something pocketable, the size of my GPS (4.3" widescreen) would've been pretty cool to have with the screen being large enough to actually use it efficiently.
@whiskers I know, something that is pocketable and an all-in-one device is essentially the iPhone, or like you say something a bit larger. But to have an oversized touch device? This is more a toy for luxury than it is a productive piece of hardware.
Sent from my iPhone.
@whiskers You mean the HTC HD2... that runs windows mobile :P and android... and soon Maemo.
God bless HTC and xda-devs
@whiskers HTC HD2, HTC Bravo, Upcoming Archos Android phone (which will probably suck, given that it's Archos). All have 4.3" screens. I'm guessing Nokia will get in on the 4.3" action too at some point with whatever comes after the N900.
@Tweak589
i would rather buy the LG x300. that is one slick laptop and it thinner than this piece of junk
@Tweak589 I don't have an iPhone. I don't like AT&T coverage in my area. Verizon has better coverage. So I have an iPod Touch but screen is way to small for my 40 year old eyes. This sits somewhere between my iPod Touch and my MacBook. I can use my iMac when I want more power.
@whiskers YES!! I also have an iPod Touch (2g) and also feel the screen a just a tad too small. I am planning on getting a iPhone (if it moves to a - how can I put this - usable network. Ideally, Sprint. ~4.3" would be perfect. I'd wouldn't even mind something as large as the Archos 5 internet tablet as a phone, and in fact, I might prefer it. I know this would be much too big for most, but a 4.3" screen would be awesome! Now add an amazing resolution - something like 1280x800 - and you would a KILLER iPhone.
Or you could just buy a netbook for half the price with vastly superior functionality.
Come to your senses people, just because it has Apple on it doesn't make it a good product.
@drkschmoog:
Completely agree, this thing is stupid.
And it costs LESS than an iPhone yet has more memory and a better processor? FUCK YOU, APPLE.
Just buy a netbook, and have a full computer, with full document editors, and processors made by REAL processor companies.
@drkschmoog
Yep, agreed 100%.
I'm not some Apple hater, I think the iPhone is a great product.
But typing text needs a keyboard, period. So this big iPod Touch (let's call it for what it is) is useless without one.
Netbook > big iTouch
This whole time Engadget's been wondering how they were going to type on the iPad, now they know - they'll have to buy a probably $75 accessory that utterly defeats the purpose of having a tablet in the first place by making it like a netbook fixed at an awkward obtuse angle. HALLELUJAH
@drkschmoog Amen. My lord. This is turning out to be a pile of crap. I love my iPhone, I do. But I wanted a slate computer.
Now I want HP to get their slate out. Then compaines like Asus can also come in and clean up here.
Here is the stupid thing. If you have a tablet PC, then you can connect a wireless portable keyboard - say - even a bluetooth one. With the iPad I would not be surprised if you can only use Apple branded or approved devices.
@drkschmoog No joke, I notice that they dropped the part where Steve-O talks about how this fills the gap between smartphones and laptops and how netbooks have nothing to offer from the posts. I got a better idea Steve-O, how about you start selling whatever you are smoking starting at $499. I bet you will make a lot more money that way.
@Jordan
@Jordan
This or a netbook?? thats the ultimatum, how bout...No!!!, net books suck, they're generally slow/too thick. Imo just get a regular fucking laptop if you want a portable pc,. I dont know how you even begin comparing this to a net book because they are completely different products and fill completely different niches.You clearly cant accept the fact that this is an interesting piece of technology.
@Jordan
This or a netbook?? thats the ultimatum? how bout...No!!!, net books suck, they're generally slow/too thick. Imo just get a regular fucking laptop if you want a portable pc,. I dont know how you even begin comparing this to a net book because they are completely different products and fill completely different niches.You clearly cant accept the fact that this is an interesting piece of technology.
@drkschmoog you're absolutely right. Let's face it and look beyond the hype: This product is useless shit! I honestly can't believe how any normal thinking person could be excited about this … LAME!
@ifinoxonifi Netbooks don't suck. I have a netbook and I often find I use it more than my desktop. I watch films, TV and all-sorts on it. I can play old games on it. I do my work on it. I can browse sites on it and watch stuff on YouTube.
The only scenario in which a netbook sucks is if you don't know how to use one and install a load of shit on it (like A/V software).
@ifinoxonifi:
You're right, it is interesting. It's interesting how Apple took a device that they already make, and have for a few years, give it a bigger screen, and try to proclaim it as the new jesus device.
It's also interesting how the name sounds like a feminine product.
I'm relating it to netbooks because that's exactly what Steve Jobs did. The only thing is, netbooks are useful, this is not.
@Jordan
Really?? Give me a break.The marketing scheme is irrelevant to the usefulness of the product. I could care less what jobs says. I dont use windows 7 because i like the commercials or eat at Mcdonalds because i deserve a break today.