Just a few forgetful weeks after the iPad 2 was announced , it ’s in the wild and available for purchase . ( Well , sort of . ) In fact , we suspect many of you already have one in your excited paws . But those of you still contemplating the purchase are likely wondering if such an outgo will render your stash of existing accessory — for iPad , iPhone , or even iPod — disused . After all , when you ’re spending $ 500 , $ 600 , $ 700 , or more on a new iPad , who want to reach over even more for new add - ons ? As we do with each new i - gimmick , we ’ve put the iPad 2 through the accoutrement wringer to see what works and what does n’t . Here ’s what we ’ve found so far .
Chargers and batteries
The iPad 2 has the same dock - connector port and power requirement as the original iPad , which mean that if you have a battery charger or battery packspecificallymade for the original iPad , it should cultivate just fine with the young exemplar .
Griffin Technology ’s PowerBlock Plus iPad charger
However , if your current charger or battery was n’t made for the iPad , the solution is a minute more complicated . As we covered last year , the iPad requires more succus than any iPhone or iPod , so magnate accessories made for those devices — in other words , those that do n’t sport theMade for iPadbadge — won’t charge the iPad as chop-chop as its own 10 - Watt USB charger . mellow - magnate iPhone chargers , such as Apple ’s iPhone Power Adapter and some AC and auto chargers design specifically for the iPhone , will charge the iPad more slowly , even while the iPad is in use . Other iPhone charger and most charger design for iPods do n’t provide enough succus to agitate the iPad ’s electric battery during use ; you ’ll see the messageNot chargingin the iPad ’s bill of fare bar . ( These lowly - office supplement willpowerthe iPad during role ; they just ca n’t lodge the battery at the same time . When you put the iPad to kip , the iPad ’s battery will charge , but very slowly . )
Griffin Technology’s PowerBlock Plus iPad charger
The state of affairs is similar for external batteries . Most battery made for the iPhone or iPod will charge your iPad ’s shelling only during sleep , and even then , very slowly . A few higher - office iPod and iPhone barrage will be able to power the iPad during use , but wo n’t charge its shelling unless it ’s numb .
Bottom line : If you want to be able to charge up your iPad ’s stamp battery quickly , you ’ll want a Made for iPad assault and battery .
Headphones
B&W ’s P5 earpiece with inline remote / mic for Apple equipment
Like the original iPad , the iPad 2 does n’t ship with headphones , so you ’ll need to provide your own . The iPad 2 sports Apple ’s now - standard headphone jack , which means it patronise the same types of headphones as late iPhone , iPod touch , and Mac manakin : Any set of headphone with a 1/8 - inch ( 3.5 mm ) miniplug will work all right for mind to audio frequency , and if you have headphones with an Apple - dash inline remote control , that controller will wreak with the iPad 2 just as it does with other Apple ware — a single - clit remote control will let you control media playback , and a three - push button remote will let you control playback as well as conform the iPad ’s volume level . If the inline remote control includes a microphone , that mic will also crop ( see the next item ) .
Microphones
The microphone on any Apple - compatible inline remote / mic faculty will work as a mono microphone for making voice recording in supported apps . It will also work in Skype and other voice - related apps .
elder bobtail - connecter microphone for the iPod — include the Blue Mikey — didn’t piece of work with the original iPad , and nothing seems to have changed in term of compatibility with the iPad 2 . However , Apogee recently announce the Mike , an iPad - compatible dock - connector mike .
One alternative , which wefirst mentioned back in April 2010 , is a USB microphone . Although not formally suffer , if you connect a USB microphone to the USB dongle of Apple’siPad Camera Connection Kit , the iPad will recognize the mike and let you use it in any microphone - supporting app . The caution here is that this direct connecter works only with low - power USB microphones , such asBlue ’s snowbird . If you ’ve got a USB mic that necessitate more succus , you’re able to still expend it with the iPad , but you ’ll necessitate a powered USB hub , as well — you punch thehubinto the Camera Connection Kit ’s USB dongle , then plug away the microphone into the hub . We ’ve tested this withBlue ’s Yeti ProandMXL ’s USB.009 .
B&W’s P5 headphones with inline remote/mic for Apple devices
Bluetooth stereo headphones
Sennheiser ’s MM 100 Bluetooth headphones
As with other iOS devices , Bluetooth stereo ( A2DP ) headphones pair well with the iPad 2 ; all sound recording — for example , audio from the iPod and Video apps , and phone from games — plays through the mate headphones . However , as with the original iPad , audio from the Skype app was n’t routed through the phone in my testing , and for those Bluetooth earphone that let in a mike , that mike did not work with Skype or audio - read apps . ( It did work for phone calls . )
When it comes to playback control , the iPad 2 is in better shape than the original iPad was when it debut last year , as iOS now admit support forAVRCP , the Bluetooth profile that allows full playback dominance via Bluetooth headphone and speakers . ( This featuredebuted in iOS 4.1 . ) If you ’ve catch Bluetooth earpiece with playback control condition — old , Play / Pause , Next — you’re able to use those button to control medium playback on the iPad 2 .
Sennheiser’s MM 100 Bluetooth headphones
Bluetooth mono headsets
We test the iPad with several Bluetooth mono headset , and while we were capable to pair some of them with the iPad 2 , we were unable to direct any of the iPad 2 ’s audio to the headset , nor were we capable to use the headset ’s mike with applications that take microphone input .
However , these were all standard mono Bluetooth headsets . Some Bluetooth single - ear headset , such as several from Jabra , support A2DP ( stereophonic Bluetooth ) , despite being mono models . With the original iPad , you could pair these A2DP single - ear headset and listen to music and other sound through the headset . We did n’t have any mono A2DP - compatible headset on hand to test , but we mistrust this will hold truthful for the iPad 2 , as well .
Creative ’s Ziisound D5 Bluetooth Speaker
Creative’s Ziisound D5 Bluetooth speakers
Bluetooth speakers
As with Bluetooth stereoscopic photograph ( A2DP ) headphones , Bluetooth speaker system mate well with the iPad 2 and , when chosen as the audio yield , route all audio through the speakers . And thanks to iOS 4.1 and after , controls on the utterer system can be used to control media playback on the iPad .
Bluetooth accessories for pour audio frequency to your stereo , such as Belkin’sBluetooth Music Receiver , also work well , get you watch television or play game on your iPad ’s screen while the sound playact through your bounteous outfit .
AirPlay speakers and receivers
AirPlay , ab initio added in iOS 4.2 andenhanced in iOS 4.3 , lets you institutionalize medium wirelessly from your iOS equipment to an AirPlay - enabled speaker unit scheme , receiver , or media participant . Since it ’s running iOS 4.3 , the iPad 2 can direct all sound to any AirPlay - enable audio frequency organisation . Once you ’ve switched audio to an AirPlay system — for good example , by using the AirPlay bill of fare in the iPod app — all audio is sent to that arrangement until you switch sound back to the iPad itself . you could also send video from the Videos app , and pic and video from the Photos app , to asecond - generation Apple TV .
Docking speakers
iHome ’s iPad - compatible iA100
A class ago , we take note that few “ speaker docks”—speaker systems with a 30 - pin wharfage - connector cradle — fit the iPad , as most useApple ’s Universal Dock design , which is intended for iPods and iPhones . deplorably , that has n’t change much , despite the popularity of the iPad . Only a few marketer , includingPhilips , Altec Lansing , andiHome , have released dockage speakers with a birthplace large enough for the iPad .
The other issue is , as noted above , world power . If you superintend to connect an iPad to a speaker pier designed for an iPhone or iPod — we did so usingCableJive ’s Dock Extender Cable — the iPad ’s audio play through the speakers , and any on - utterer playback controls work as expected ; however , the system wo n’t be able-bodied to blame the iPad ’s barrage while the iPad ’s blind is on — an AC - powered organization will in general be limited to keep the iPad ’s assault and battery level unfaltering , while a portable utterer system running off electric battery power may not even do that . ( An iPhone / iPod speaker dockwillcharge the iPad ’s assault and battery , very slowly , if you wrick off the iPad ’s CRT screen during medicine playback . )
iHome’s iPad-compatible iA100
If your speaker docking facility has an auxiliary - input doodly-squat , you’re able to instead link the iPad using that jackfruit ( see the next item ) . The drawback to this approach is that you misplace any on - speaker controls that require a dock connexion .
Powered speakers and traditional stereo systems
As with any machine with an audio output , the iPad works finely with powered estimator speakers or any standard stereoscopic picture organisation with production line - spirit level inputs . You just run a cable length from the iPad ’s headphone jack ( or , for just sound , the line - out jack onApple ’s iPad 2 Dockor a third - party audio frequency arranger such as those fromSendStationandCableJive ) to one of the audio recording system ’s inputs . If you utilise a dock or adapter , you may also be able to plug in the iPad ’s own courser to get degenerate charging , as well .
FM Transmitters
Most iPod and iPhone FM transmitters , specially those designed for in - car utilisation , are actually a combination of an audio accessory that grabs your histrion ’s audio - out signaling via the dock - connector port and a courser that ply magnate via that porthole . As with the original iPad , we found that recent dock - connexion FM transmitters are able to successfully grab the audio signaling from the iPad 2 and transmit it over the chosen FM frequency . However , unless a vector was specifically contrive for the iPad , its burden circuitry suffer from the same way out as other iPod and iPhone chargers — the appurtenance is n’t able to appoint the iPad while the iPad is in use , causing the iPad to display theNot chargingmessage . ( As with docking speakers , dock - connecter FM transmitters design to charge an iPod or iPhone should turn on the iPad , very tardily , when the iPad is departed , and even while the iPad is playing music with the screen turn off . )
FM transmitters that simply grab the audio frequency from your twist ’s headphone jack will of course of action lick fine with the iPad 2 .
Video-out accessories
Apple ’s Digital AV Adapter
If you ’re looking to get television out of your iPod and onto another show , Apple offer four unlike options : the $ 39Apple Digital AV Adapter , which lets you output HD TV from supported apps , as well as mirror the iPad 2 ’s display , via HDMI ; the $ 29 Apple VGA Adapter ( formerly the iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter ) , which lets you output picture over a VGA connection — at 1024 - by-768 solution with a 720p scan pace — fromcompatible appsas well as mirror the iPad 2 ’s screen ; the $ 39Apple Component AV Cable , which output picture from compatible apps at 480p or 576p resolution ; and the $ 39Apple Composite AV Cable , which works with compatible apps to output video at 480i result . ( The Digital AV Adapter furnish audio output via HDMI ; the Component and Composite AV cables include bequeath / right parallel sound recording cables . For output audio while using the Apple VGA Adapter , you ’ll need a separate audio cable television service that grabs the audio sign from the iPad 2 ’s headphone jack . )
observe that to follow high - definition iTunes ( rented or purchased ) television on an external display , you ’ll need to use either the Digital AV Adapter or the Component AV Cable . This is because iTunes ’ HD video recording includeHDCP ( High - bandwidth Digital Content Protection)and ask an HDCP - compatible connecter , which these two accessory provide . If you do n’t have the Digital AV Adapter or Component AV Cable , you ’ll necessitate to sync to your iPad the standard - definition variant of your iTunes - purchased video ; the SD edition will play over the VGA Adapter or Composite Cable .
Apple’s Digital AV Adapter
you may also use third - party video accessories that admit the necessary Apple - approved circuitry , which should include most Made for iPad- , Made for iPhone- , and Made for iPod - manifest video recording appurtenance made in the past few years . These accessories should let you output video to TVs via component or composite connection , along with stereo audio .
B&W ’s Zeppelin Air is both a talker pier and an AirPlay - enabled audio system .
Camera connectors
Apple ’s $ 29iPad Camera Connection Kit , which debuted last year , crap it easy to transfer photos from an SD scorecard or directly from your digital camera to the iPad ; the kit work with both the original iPad and the iPad 2 . There are also similar third - party mathematical product on the marketplace , but we have n’t essay them ; if they worked with the original iPad , they should knead all right with the new modeling .
alas , Apple ’s older Camera Connector for finicky iPod models does n’t work with either iPad propagation .
Keyboards
The iPad ’s onscreen keyboard can only take you so far ; sometimes you want a real , physical keyboard . With the debut of the original iPad , Apple introduced the iPad Keyboard Dock , which combine Apple ’s standard Al keyboard with a weighted dock that holds your iPad upright while typing and provides porthole for charging , syncing , and audio output . But the Keyboard Dock does n’t correspond the iPad 2 as perfectly — the embodiment of the iPad 2 is just unlike enough that , in our testing , the tab does n’t sit as snug in the Keyboard Dock ’s cradle as does the original iPad . With a scrap of force , however , we were capable to get a upright connectedness . ( Gentlylplacing the iPad 2 in the Keyboard Dock often resulted in a lost connexion while typing . We also found that the fit is so accurate that if you install a protective body film on your iPad 2 , that minimal extra thickness is enough to prevent a link altogether . )
Apple has n’t announced a newfangled reading of the Keyboard Dock for the iPad 2 . The word on the street is that the Keyboard Dock did n’t sell well . Which , if dependable , would n’t storm us — while it ’s a very gracious keyboard , its dock cradle is too heavy and bulky for easy packing , and an iPad keyboard is , for many people , most desirable when you ’re on the route .
The same luck betide many “ keyboard cases“—which combine a physical keyboard with a protective guinea pig — made for the original iPad . Because the iPad 2 is thin and has a different form on the back and edges , many of these keyboard case simply do n’t go the new iPad ( see the incision on cases , below ) , even if their keyboards , which are ordinarily Bluetooth , ferment fine with it . A identification number of keyboard - case seller have declare that iPad 2 versions are in the works .
B&W’s Zeppelin Air is both a speaker dock and an AirPlay-enabled audio system.
Targus ’ Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard for iPad
Standalone Bluetooth keyboard fare better . Any stock Bluetooth - wireless keyboard can pair with the iPad , let you typewrite on material keys in any app where you’re able to embark text — the iPad 2 has n’t changed anything in this respect . However , as Inoted last year when compare the iPad Keyboard Dock with Bluetooth keyboards , a stock Bluetooth figurer keyboard will be missing iPad - specific extra - function keys , such as the many found on the iPad Keyboard Dock . If you ’re in the market for a Bluetooth keyboard , turn over one that includes these key , such asTargus ’ Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard for iPad .
What about wired keyboards ? When the original iPad debuted , wediscovered that some USB keyboards exploit with the Camera Connection Kit ’s USB embrasure . Unfortunately , iOS 4.2 seems to havereduced the amount of power supply by the dock - connecter port , and one result of that modification is that USB keyboards , even low - power one , no longer figure out with the original iPad . That modification seems to have carry over to the iPad 2 and iOS 4.3 , as none of the wired keyboard we judge with the iPad 2 , via the Camera Connection Kit , worked . ( We have n’t tried the power - USB - hub trick , bring up above when discussing USB microphone . )
Targus’ Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard for iPad
Other docks
Like Apple ’s iPad Keyboard Dock , the company ’s basic iPad Dock for the original iPad almost fits the iPad 2 , but the iPad 2 ’s new bod keeps it from fitting perfectly thanks to the exact fit of the Dock ’s rear living . Unlikewith the Keyboard Dock , however , we were capable to seat the iPad 2 well enough in the original iPad Dock to successfully synchronise and charge — the connection is just a bit delicate , and bump the iPad on one side or the other is sometimes enough to break the connecter . ( Apple makesan iPad 2 Dockspecifically contrive for the iPad 2 . )
Although we do n’t have any third - party wharf place of origin made for the original iPad on helping hand to test , we suspect the same will hold truthful : If the dock ’s cradle fit the material body of the original iPad dead , you ’ll probably have some difficulty using it with the iPad 2 . If , on the other hand , the bobtail features a “ naked ” docking facility connective and a rearward support that is n’t as physique - fitting , it should work fine with the iPad 2 .
Cases, bags, and other protection
appurtenance trafficker have already announcedmany cases for the iPad 2 , but what if you ’ve already produce a case for the original iPad ? Or what if you ’ve feel a great passel on honest-to-god iPad case on clearance ? Will it equip the new model ? possibly .
Tom Bihn ’s Breve for iPad
Due to the iPad 2 ’s Modern shape — a flatter back with more - taper edge — and thinner profile , human body - fitting cases such as strict shells , silicone “ skins , ” and most folio - style event made for the original iPad wo n’t correspond the iPad 2 . On the other hand , subsist sleeve and zippered sleeves fit the new iPad just all right — you do n’t really notice the bit of additional way , front - to - back , since arm already run to fit generally . And , of course , iPad bags and packs made for the original iPad also accommodate the iPad 2 .
Tom Bihn’s Breve for iPad
As for new , iPad 2 - specific cases , we ’ve already received a few — some before we even had an iPad 2 — and most meet the new iPad well . Unlike with the original iPad , where some of the early typesetter’s case seemed to have been based on educated surmisal about the iPad ’s dimensions , it appears that many example vendors had detailed dimensions of the iPad 2 well before it was released .
We ’ll be reviewing bag and cases for the iPad 2 to help you choose the right one , but here are a few fast tips , adjust from last year ’s pathfinder : First , if you ’re shopping online for an iPad case , check the handbag ’s spectacles with Apple’siPad stipulation , or e - post the trafficker , to confirm that the shipping product in reality fit the iPad 2 . ( Some vendor are retooling their bags and case now that the iPad 2 is officially usable . ) secondly , as you may have already deduced , if you see a form - suit case that claims to fit both the original iPad and the iPad 2 , be skeptical . Third , a good telephone number of bags out there are advertised as “ iPad / netbook ” models , but few are a undecomposed paroxysm for the iPad — the iPad is much thin than the typical netbook and ends up swim around in the computer compartment .
The other pick for protection is a protective pic , either for just the iPad ’s screen or for its intact body . Last year , our PCWorld colleagues stress - tested the iPad and find that the gimmick ’s filmdom was “ scratch - proof , ” even when editor program attempted to engrave the glass with a nail . The iPad 2 appears to use the same glass , so you ’ll probably be OK without a protective screenland film . In addition , we try a identification number of iPad screen films over the preceding year , and with a few exceptions , such asPower Support ’s Crystal Film , we were foiled — many cut down screen uncloudedness or added public eye , and some picked up far more fingerprints than a bare projection screen . Similarly , we ’ve had bad experience with most “ anti - glare ” concealment cover for the iPad ( Moshi ’s iVisor AGbeing one of the exception ) .
NLU’s BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber Skin for iPad 2
If you ’ve got a reusable covert film for your original iPad , and you ’re wondering if you may transmigrate that film from the iPad to the iPad 2 , the response is “ mayhap . ” The filmdom on the two iPad generations are identical in size , but the corner radius of the iPad 2 ’s concealment is a bit diminished — the iPad 2 screen has sharp corners , if you will — so the scene of the film may not be perfect in the corner . ( It ’s also deserving noting that , as anyone who ’s applied one of these screen door picture can conceive of , it ’s difficult to withdraw a screen film and reapply it . If you wish receive this form of screen protection , you may want to bite the hummer and just buy a new celluloid for your iPad 2 . )
NLU ’s BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber Skin for iPad 2
As for full - body moving-picture show , bothInvisibleShieldand NLU ( BodyGuardz ) have announced new versions for the iPad 2 . We ’ve test both products on the original iPad , and we ’ve been impressed by the anti - scratch shelter they provide . NLU has also debut theBodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber Skin , which protects the back of the iPad 2 , and you’re able to get similar back end protective covering — with more artistic flair — fromGelaskins for the iPad 2 . unluckily , reclaimable full - body motion-picture show made for the original iPad ca n’t be used with the iPad 2 thanks to the dissimilar shape of the iPad 2 ’s body .
Updated3/16/11 , 9 am to bring information about the Apple iPad Dock and other dock , as well as info about transferring screen movie from an old iPad to a new one . Updated compatibility with the iPad Keyboard Dock and VGA Adapter . ready a silly typo .
[ Dan Frakes is a senior editor for Macworld . ]
