By Andrew Liszewski

I’ve always thought the keyboard dock that Apple sells for the iPad was kind of superfluous. I mean it’s pretty much the exact same product as their wireless Bluetooth keyboard. It just swaps the BT for a dock connector, and adds a support. Creating a simple adapter that would let the iPad connect to their regular wireless keyboard seemed like a much better approach. But apparently such an ‘innovation’ had to be left to a third party. In this case, a Kickstarter project known as the WINGStand.

It’s pretty much exactly what I’ve already described. Just a couple pieces of cleverly designed moulded plastic that clips onto Apple’s wireless BT keyboard while providing a handy place to hold your iPad or iPhone at an ideal angle for typing. It’s incredibly compact and easy to travel with, and it means you can use your portable keyboard with other devices that support a Bluetooth connection. Arguably the $20 they’re asking as a basic donation on their Kickstarter page, which gets you a white set of WINGStands, is a little expensive. But they do mention that additional sets are available for $15 each after your donation, which is a little more reasonable. And rest assured, it’s one of those Kickstarter projects that has raised more than their required goal. So hopefully they’ll be available for sale sooner rather than later.

[ Kickstarter - The WINGStand - Make Your Tablet a Computer ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Having a tablet is great, but they are expensive. Don’t you wish that you could get as much use out of one as possible? Well now there’s a handy piece of software that’s going to let you use your iPad, or any Android-powered tablet as a second monitor for your computer.

iDisplay is an app that can be downloaded to your device, and along with the desktop application, extends your desktop onto the tablet. All you need is to sync up the software by entering an IP address, and setting your device on a stand so that you can see it. I’d say that’s pretty handy, and at only $5, it’s cheap too.

[ iDisplay ] VIA [ IntoMobile ]

By Chris Scott Barr

If you’re an artist that enjoys working on the digital side of things, there’s a good chance that you’ve encountered a Wacom tablet of some sort. Since most of my work is done with a pencil or pen anyway, transitioning to a tablet was a natural step. I’ve been using them off and on for the last 6 years or so. The most difficult barrier to get over is always the disconnect one feels when drawing on one surface, while seeing their work on another. Of course, that’s what the Cintiq line is for.

The Cintiq line is Wacom’s own brand of LCD monitor, which also happens to be a fully-functional drawing tablet. Since it’s introduction years ago, digital artists everywhere (myself included) have drooled over the idea of using one. Recently I was able to spend a few weeks with the latest Wacom Cintiq 21UX.

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By Chris Scott Barr

There’s no denying that Apple’s iPad has stirred up a lot of excitement about tablet computing. That’s not to say that everyone is in love with the iPad itself, rather, they like the idea of what tablets could be. Many eyes have been looking to Google, as their Android platform has been a successful rival to the iOS. Fresh rumors are pegging a Google tablet as being released on Verizon November 26th.

The most unfortunate part of the rumor is that the tablet is going to run Chrome OS, rather than Android. This could be a deal-breaker, as many potential buyers would be more attracted to the already-established Android platform and all of the available apps for it. With the impending Android 3.0 being tablet-friendly, this does sound like an odd move.

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By Gaurav Kheterpal

The red carpet has been rolled out for the most important launch of year 2010 – the Apple Tablet. In a recent statement, Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs has said “[The Apple Tablet] will be the most important thing I’ve ever done”. Coming from the man behind the iPhone and the iPod, this is a strong message and perhaps a sign of Apple’s heavyweight expectations for its due-to-be-launched-soon Apple Tablet or iSlate (as Internet rumors name it). 

Apple has closely guarded the tablet’s specs and it’s well worth doing that for a product which is slated to be a game changer!

[ Apple ] VIA [ TechCrunch ]