Extending iPad with Camera Connection Kit
The iPad works perfectly well with Mac/PC iTunes data transfer and syncing for pictures, movies, audio and applications. But there comes a time when you need to transfer stuff on the go. Amidst a lot of finger pointing by guru’s in their iPad reviews, Apple introduced the the Camera Connection Kit for the iPad. In their own words, Apple describes the kit as:
The iPad Camera Connection Kit includes two accessories for importing photos and videos:
- Camera Connector: Features a USB port to directly connect your digital camera using its USB cable.
- SD Card Reader: Features an SD card slot to directly connect an SD card.
In addition to supporting digital cameras and SD cards, you can also import photos and videos from your original iPhone, iPhone 3GS, and iPod nano using the Camera Connector. iPhone 3G is not supported.
If you are having problems in connecting or using the kit, please refer to this support article. I also found iLounge’s detailed review of the kit useful.
In this article we will see how you can use the same kit to extend the capabilities of your iPad.
1. Use USB keyboard with iPad
Apple’s iPad Keyboard Dock costs $69 and performs the same operation that you can do by using $29 adapter and a USB keyboard. If your keyboard has iTunes controls,volume and/or brightness controls and the number pad, they’ll work just fine with the iPad.
Just connect your iPad USB camera connector, plug in your USB keyboard, and you’re good to go. With some keyboard models, the iPad may display a message saying that the attached accessory will not work. However, after dismissing the message you will be able to use the keyboard with no problems.
2. Attach USB Microphone
The iPad’s built in microphone does a fairly good job for your audio conferencing like for Skype. But with the USB connector kit, you can use a USB Mic and enhance the audio experience. The iPad automatically recognizes the device within your apps like Skype.
3. Managing items on Camera and SD card
This is a situation all of us usually come across, where we are in need to selectively manage and delete few images from either your Camera of SD card. By using the Camera Connection Kit you can do just that on the go. You can delete all images or delete selected ones only.
4. Import pictures from iPhone and iPod Touch
This has to be one of the biggest life saver if you carry an iPhone to take pictures and first transfer them to your computer and then using iTunes to your iPad. Remove the need to transfer to computer all together, you can now directly
5. Using USB Audio Devices with iPad
If you are a proud owner of USB Audio Device such as a wireless headset, you will be more than happy to use them with the iPad using the USB connector kit. Most the buttons (play, forward, stop, pause) will work with the iPad. If your headset has mic capabilities, you are in luck again, they will work just fine. Depending on your gear, you will be saving around $30 ~ $100.
And the list goes on..
By adding a externanly powered USB Hub you may attach multiple USB simultaneously to the iPad, using less power of iPad battery juice.
If you have jailbroken your iPad (comments reserved), there are reports on how you can use externally powered USB Hard drives to the iPad.
Merci pour votre article très intéressant
Hey, I really like your blog although I find that the photos look a little off color with my macbook.
hi I have a Nikon D200 SLR camera and cant get it to work with the ipad as in uploading my photos help pls???