It appears to me that when you go buy this thing, you need to be prepared to bend over and grab your ankles (vaseline sold separately), and Oh Yea! don't expect a kiss when apple is finished with you.
The Apple Tax Continues,
Apple iPad camera kit (I thought it came with its own food processor)
One of the more unexpected iPad accessories coming from Apple is a $30 camera kit that lets you directly transfer images to the iPad from your digital camera or SD card.
The kit includes two adapters: one for SD cards and one that connects to cameras over mini-USB (cable required). Both adapters connect to the 30-pin dock connection on the bottom edge of the iPad.
Scosche Kickback stand
Scosche didn't waste any time filling the void of iPad accessories. Moments after the curtain dropped at Apple's official iPad announcement, Scosche announced an iPad version of their popular Kickback stand for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
The Kickback is a case for the iPad made of polycarbonate and rubber. As the name implies, the case includes an integrated kickstand that lets you use and view the iPad without holding it, in either portrait or landscape view. Molded rubber grips line the edges of the case, and each of the iPad's ports and switches are accessible.
The Scosche KickBack for iPad ships with a screen protector and cleaning cloth and will be available in Spring. Price has yet to be determined; however, existing models for the iPhone and iPod Touch sell for about $20.
Sketch stylus from Pogo
Fingers are fine for the relatively small touch screens found on smartphones, but you may find it more comfortable to use a stylus on the iPad's 9.7-inch display.
Because the iPad's touch screen uses capacitive instead of resistive technology, you can't just apply pressure to the screen with any old pointy stick and expect it to work. Fortunately, the Sketch stylus from Pogo ($14.95) is specially designed to work with the capacitive screens on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
Apple VGA adapter (This thing is ANALOG...WTF?)
If you're interested in using the iPad and its suite of iWork apps for presentations, Apple offers a $30 VGA adapter that can connect to a projector or computer monitor. The maximum output resolution is only 1,024x768 pixels, so keep your HD expectations in check.
Composite video output cables are also available, but the VGA adapter promises the best resolution.
Apple iPad charging dock
With it's larger screen, the iPad has much greater potential for e-mail and word processing than the iPhone or iPod Touch. To give it an extra edge, Apple is offering a charging dock with an attached full-size keyboard for $69. You can read or full hands-on take of the iPad keyboard dock on CNET's Crave blog.
Apple also offers a version of the iPad charging dock without the keyboard for $29.
Wireless N routers
If you've been holding off on upgrading your home wireless router to the newly approved 802.11n spec, now might be the time to bite the bullet. The iPad supports the newer, faster Wi-Fi spec, so why not take advantage of it.
Check out CNET's highest rated wireless routers for a guide on what to buy. Price: $44
Headphones (Looks like a diaphragm)
Grammercy bag from Cocoon (Can this get any uglier)
No, you can't carry the iPad in your pocket. That doesn't mean you need a suitcase for the thing. The Grammercy bag from Cocoon ($29) comes in three different colors and is specially made to fit the iPad.
iPad sleeves (Why isn't this included?..OH YEA that Apple Tax)
Apple has a knack for designing beautiful products. But when the real world meets all that pristine glass and aluminum, things can get ugly real quick.
To protect your investment, Apple offers a $40 case that folds back to act as a kickstand or an angled surface for typing.
Other well-known companies, such as Griffin, Belkin, also have sleeves and cases available for the iPad.
Decals (What is this CRAP?)
Want decals for your iPad? Companies like iLuv offer them, but unless you're enrolled in grade school, I wouldn't recommend it.
Apple iPad charger (10 volts) (OH..I see if you don't have an iPhone you have to buy a charger for this thing!...HUM)
If you already have a "Made for iPhone" charger, you should be able to use it for your iPad as well. Apple sells a dedicated charger just for the iPad that spits out 10 volts instead of the usual 5 volts, which could make for faster charge times.
Bluetooth keyboard
If using Apple's special iPad keyboard dock makes you feel a little silly, how about using a wireless keyboard? The iPad supports Bluetooth connected keyboards including Apple's own classy wireless Mac keyboard ($69).
Apple Airport Express
The Apple Airport Express Base station ($129) is a handy way to beam music around your house from any Mac or PC running iTunes.
The iPad can't stream music directly to Base station, users can install Apple's free Remote app to use the iPad as a giant wireless remote control for their home music collection.
Sonos ZonePlayer
If the idea of using the iPad as a wireless remote for your home music collections sounds like fun, but you don't like the idea of keeping your computer running in the background, the Sonos ZonePlayer ($399)and Sonos app deliver a powerful combination of Internet radio, subscription music, and a tabletop speaker system--all controlled by a slick app interface.
Parrot Boombox
Of course, the path of least resistance for using the iPad with wireless audio is to just stream music directly via Bluetooth to a compatible speaker like the Parrot Boombox ($200). Sure, the iPad can only hold up to 64GB of music, but you can also install Internet radio apps such as Pandora, Slacker, and Last.fm, to stream free, unlimited music from the cloud.
Total Apple Tax $544.95 excluding those stupid decals which no price was quoted, the Apple iPad charger (10 volts) no price either listed. I did not include the last 2 items since you already purchased those $70.00 ear buds.
