It's All About the iPad Accessories

[Michael Essany]

The iPad isn't yet available for purchase but its already a foregone conclusion that iPad accessories will very well produce a thriving industry of their own.

BusinessWeek, in fact, just dedicated a nice little spread to what will certainly become the "booming business of iPad accessories." Still a full month away from customers having the iPad in hand and already companies like Belkin, Scosche, and Griffin are chomping at the bit to help you accessorize your tablet.

Scosche plans to roll out "at least a dozen" iPad accessories this year.

Many of the accessories alluded to in various media suggest that practicality will reign supreme in the world of iPad add-ons. Scosche, for example, is pushing its new KickBACK, which is sort of an iPad stand that enables users to situate their tablet accordingly for optimal viewing of digital content like photos and video. The ability to position the iPad vertically or horizontally will, obviously, be a critical aspect of enjoying the iPad and its potential to the fullest.

Of course, there is bound to be no shortage of kooky accessories to come off the assembly lines of the tech world soon enough. But for now, innovation is poised to take a backseat to basic utility. So before we see things like iPad mounts for your hot air balloon, a more modest expectation would include carrying cases, chargers, screen cleaners, etc.

No matter how you slice it, iPad accessories will be big business this year. According to NPD Group, in 2009 consumers spent $8.4 billion on cell phone accessories alone. And industry analysts predict that iPad accessories could ultimately prove just as profitable for companies as iPhone and iPod accessories already have.

Image via Scosche

[GellBrake'rrrr]

Wow!!! A stand for my x-large iPhone.

[inzandity]

^^^ correction... Your iPod touch :-)

[lolcats1]

lol yeah. my post got deleted. guess the mods are feeling angry today

[vampr]

Glorified digital picture frame?!

[steve-z17]

These companies are smart! They understand there's a lot of money out there to be made from Apple's products and they certainly are taking advantage of it! I wouldn't mind taking 1% of their profits last year

[haibane]

I'm waiting for the accessory that makes this run like a macbook... maybe a keyboard with another processor built in or something like that...

[lolcats1]

I'm waiting for the accessory that makes this run like a macbook... maybe a keyboard with another processor built in or something like that...

you could try buying a macbook

[matthew1111]

^^Haha! Wow, a whole new industry: "iPad Accesories"...That's sad!

[pyromcr]

that stand in the picture loos really cool

[extremzocker]

hopefully we will see some useful ones like a camera.

[zoso10]

Hopefully they'll make some sound docks that are obnoxiously large to accommodate for the iPad's size LOL.

[lolcats1]

the ipad better have some epic speakers

[se23]

this is getting tiresome now.stupid ipad this, ipad that. dnt even want one now

[quaas]

What are these buttons at the bottom?

[rhekt]

i dont think i will need any extra gadgets for my iPAd.

[steve-z17]

this is getting tiresome now.stupid ipad this, ipad that. dnt even want one now

Then don't get one......