iPad All-in-One For Dummies. Nancy C. Muir

1-2, and order one to be shipped to you (and even get it engraved, if you wish). Standard shipping typically is free, and if there’s a problem, Apple’s online-store customer service reps are very helpful – they will help you solve the problem or possibly replace your iPad.

      Figure 1-2: iPad model options are spelled out on Apple’s site.

       Considering iPad Accessories

      Accessories for your iPad can make your computing life easier. You can get them from Apple or explore the broad and ever-growing world of third-party accessories.

       Apple’s stable of accessories

      At present, Apple offers a few accessories you might want to check out when you purchase your iPad (or you can purchase them down the road), including

      ✔ iPad Smart Case/Smart Cover: Your iPad isn’t cheap, and unlike a laptop computer, it has an exposed screen that can be damaged if you drop or scratch it. Investing in the iPad Smart Case or Smart Cover is a good idea if you intend to take your iPad out of your house – or if you have a cat or grandchildren. The iPad Smart Cover costs about $40 for polyurethane, and the Smart Case costs $70 for leather. Other cases vary in price depending on design and material.

      

The official Apple iPad Smart Case has an ingenious little slot on the back. You can flip the front cover back and tuck it into the slot to make the case rest on your desk or counter at a very handy angle for viewing and typing. You can also prop up the case in a kind of U-shaped configuration to give presentations to others.

      ✔ iPad Camera Connection Equipment: Because there’s no USB port on an iPad, you can’t use a USB connection to upload photos from your digital camera or media card to your iPad. If you want to add this functionality, you can buy a MicroUSB camera connector and a MicroSD reader, each of which will set you back about $30 for the privilege.

      ✔ Stands: The Apple Store offers several stands, including the Incase Origami Workstation at $29.95 and the Just Mobile Upstand for iPad at $49.95. The Twelve South HoverBar Stand for iPad costs $116.95, and attaches your iPad to your computer. Twelve South BookArc is another good option at just $29.99. For a truly special handcrafted tablet stand, visit http://www.mebskitchenwares.com/accessories.html to buy a one-of-a-kind tablet stand made of your choice of hard woods.

      ✔ Apple Earpods with Remote and Mic: This device offers in-ear listening and remote control of your audio for about $29.

      ✔ Apple Digital AV Adapter: To make use of the HDMI technology that allows you to connect devices to output high-definition media through HDMI ports in TVs, monitors, and projectors, you can buy this adapter (see Figure 1-3) for $49.

      ✔ AirPrint Printers: There are printers available from HP, Canon, Brother, Lexmark, and Epson that support Apple’s AirPrint feature. Prices range from $129 to $399. HandyPrint and Printopia are Macintosh apps that can make any printer shared on a network accessible to your iPad.

      

It’s a good idea to have a spare cable available to charge your iPad in case one gets mislaid.

       Checking out what others have to offer

      If you want to explore third-party accessories, there are many, and more appear all the time. Just perform a web search for iPad accessories. You’ll find that there are suede, leather, neoprene, aluminum, and canvas cases; a variety of stands; carrying bags; screen protectors; and external batteries to supplement iPad’s impressive ten-hour battery life.

      Figure 1-3: Send media to other devices using this adapter.

      

Want to stand out from the crowd by carrying your iPad around in a case with character? The relatively inexpensive Vintage Book case from Zazzle is a good option if you like the look of a rare book wrapped around your technology. If you’re made of money, the Louis Vuitton model, a high-priced model at $795, will make you the envy of your friends. And eBags offers some nice canvas bags if your tastes, and budget, are more down to earth.

      Macally’s Lightning Wired keyboard is a fully extended keyboard with a number pad, which you can use with your iPad device in portrait or landscape mode. Aduro Facio offers a combination of case, stand, and keyboard all in one for only $29.99.

      There are even a few clothing companies coming up with duds that can hold an iPad. (SCOTTeVEST, whose website is shown in Figure 1-4, offers a line of iPad-holding clothes. iClothing and iPad Suit are following suit – excuse the pun.

      

Don’t bother buying a wireless mouse to connect with your iPad via Bluetooth – the iPad recognizes your finger as its primary input device, and mice need not apply. However if you’re finger-clumsy, you can also get a stylus for touch input. The Wacom Bamboo is among those that I like, but you can get less expensive ones at stores such as Amazon with several to a pack so that if you lose one, you have a spare.

      Figure 1-4: Wear your iPad with style.

Chapter 2

      Getting Started with iPad

       In This Chapter

      ▶ Discovering what’s in the box

      ▶ Getting your first look at the gadget

      ▶ Charging the battery

      ▶ Powering on your iPad and registering it

      ▶ Using the touchscreen

      ▶ Getting familiar with the split keyboard

      ▶ Making sure your operating system is up to date

      ▶ Discovering Multitasking Gestures

      ▶ Taking a first look at iPad’s camera

      ▶ Understanding how to customize the Side switch

      ▶ Becoming familiar with the status bar

      ▶ Using Control Center

      ▶ Locking your iPad, turning it off, and unlocking it

      After you get your hands on an iPad, you should explore what’s in the box and get an overview of the buttons and slots you’ll encounter – luckily, there are very few of them.

      You also need to get comfortable with the touchscreen. If you have a smartphone or computer with a touchscreen, you’re ahead of the game here, but even if you do, you should take a little time to get comfortable working with using the iPad screen.

      iPads (with the exception of the original iPad) have two cameras and a customizable side switch. In addition, iPad has native printing ability, all of which I introduce you to here.

      Finally, after a tough day of playing with your new gadget, you need to know how to put it to sleep. I cover all these iPad basics in this chapter.

       Exploring What’s in the Box

      When you fork over your hard-earned money for your iPad, you’re left holding one box about the size of a package of copy paper. Here’s what you’ll find when you take off the shrink wrap and open the box:

      ✔ iPad: Your iPad is covered in two plastic sheets that you can take off and toss (unless you think there’s a chance you’ll return it, in which case you might want to keep all packaging