Tablets are nothing new, actually, having been around for more than a decade, yet only with Apple’s revolutionary marketing and easy to use interface have they become so popular with the mainstream population, and their sales have exploded, bringing in a lot of new manufacturers and software developers.
But what do you do when you get a tablet? If you just use it as it is, you’re definitely not getting the best experience. For that, you’ll need to get a few third party accessories that will make your tablet seem like the only computer you’ll ever need. Here is a short list of things you should check out:
Protection covers/skins. All devices are prone to scratches and dents, but tablets are especially so, with their big glass covered screens that can scratch the first time you unintentionally slide them on the table. In those cases, a protection skin would save the device and also keep it in like new condition for as long as you use it. There are a lot of these skins and shields around, but the best ones for the screen are Zagg’s InvisibleShield, and if you want something beautiful on the back that will also protect your investment from scratches, either Zagg skins or Gelaskins is the way to go.
Bluetooth wireless keyboards. The on screen keyboard of a tablet is pretty good for taking quick notes and even typing longer documents, but nothing comes close to an actual hardware keyboard. Thankfully, there are quite a few great Bluetooth keyboards around that you can easily pair with your iPad or Android tablet (or Blackberry Playbook if you own one), including the very nice Apple Bluetooth keyboard, which will provide superior experience to anyone who needs to type on the go.
Leather Case Folios. If you always carry your tablet with you, perhaps you should consider a leather case for it. Not only will it protect the device from scratches, but also make it look more professional and sophisticated. There are even leather cases with integrated keyboards (for the iPad, mostly), which are perfect for heavy duty work when traveling.
Desk stands. If you use your tablet as an everyday computer, having a desk stand can significantly improve your experience. You can use one to set the tablet on a desk or anywhere else to be used as a display, TV (streaming from the Web, of course) or clock with alarm. One of the best desk stands is the Breffo Spiderpodium, which will not only hold your tablet extremely well, but also looks pretty cool. If you want something less conspicuous or scary for those with arachnophobia :-), you can go with the Arkon Fold Up stand or the very nice Satechi R1 – both wonderful stands on their own.
Car mounts. A tablet is a great multimedia device, and most current models also come with an integrated GPS transceiver, and if you want to use it in your car for long trips to watch movies, listen to your music collection or use it as a navigator (a 10 inch tablet looks simply awesome as one), you’ll need a good car mount. There are a lot of these around, and you’ll have to choose one that fits perfectly in your car. You can also get an audio cable to connect to your car stereo, if it has the ability, to listen to your music collection when you’re driving.
There are lots of other useful accessories for a tablet, which can seriously extend its functionality – start by checking out the various brands and models available in the above categories, then Google for more!
