accessories

Editors' note: Updated January 24 with nine new cases from Belkin, Camalen, Evio, Incipio, iSkin, Speck, and SwitchEasy. The original post published March 11, 2011.

We know that a lot of people who buy the iPad 2 are also going to buy Apple's Smart Cover. But then again plenty of folks prefer to shop for non-Apple alternatives, and we've got more than 70 iPad 2 covers and stands to show you.

Of course, this roundup only represents a fraction of the cases and stands available for the iPad 2, but we've tried to include many of the top cases available. It's also worth noting that while we've included a few sleeve-style cases and some back covers that are designed to work with Apple's Smart Cover, the majority of the cases are what we'd call "full" cases with protection for both the front and back of your iPad 2.

If you think we missed a good cover--or just have a favorite among the ones shown--feel free to post a comment. We'll update the list to include more covers and stands as they become available (we've added close to 20 new covers in the last month and have started to delete some of the less desirable cases as the list gets too long).

Click on any slide to begin the slideshow. Cases are listed alphabetically.

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If tablets are really going to kick laptops to the curb, they'll need some of the same important accessories road warriors rely on. Like, say, mobile scanners.

Enter the Brookstone iConvert Scanner, which combines a sheet-fed document/photo reader with an iPad dock. It's due to ship February 1 for a list price of $149.99.

As shown in the above demo video, you just plunk your iPad (1 or 2) into the iConvert, run the accompanying app, then start feeding your documents, photos, business cards, kids' scribbles, and what have you.… Read more

We recently had a listen to DBest London's tiny Bluetooth speaker, the 4001, which the company billed as the "world's smallest Bluetooth hi-fi system." Well, the U.K.-based company has more products in the pipeline, including the larger--and better-sounding--PS4501, which DBest is calling the "Terminator of mini speakers."

We're not sure what that means, but in its metallic version, it does look like a high-tech grenade.… Read more

LAS VEGAS--Tired of playing games with virtual buttons on your iPhone? Well, a few companies, including Ion Audio, are making Bluetooth game controllers that work with the iPhone and Android smartphones.

We got a chance to play around with the Ion iCade Mobile ($79.99) and found that it worked well enough (yes, those are shoulder buttons on top). That said, Steve Jobs would probably cringe at its design. The shiny black plastic is a fingerprint magnet and the whole contraption isn't terribly elegant. True, we were using an early version of the device, so we may see some refinements before launch in May.… Read more

LAS VEGAS--These are not your typical iPhone/iPod speakers, and that's the way Lanchiya, a Chinese digital audio company, likes it.

We're guessing you've probably never heard of Lanchiya, but you might already be familiar with one of its products, the iPig stereo dock. The cute pig-shaped iPod speaker is just one of those novelty products that make for fun gifts.

Lanchiya's whole goal is to make high-quality, great-sounding speakers at a fraction of the prices set by some of the other high-end home audio companies, such as Bose. And it's doing it with flair. … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Beanbags are typically associated with lounging, but they've always been more for people than gadgets.

Santa Fe Springs, Calif.-based Vantage Point has trying to shake that up with its Beanpad Portfolio stand for the iPad.

Like the Beanpad stand the company launched last October, the Portfolio has a beanbag that can be used to set the iPad on uneven surfaces. But the Portfolio does away with a mount entirely, and instead consists solely of a full leather case with Velcro backing. When you're not using the Beanpad stand, you can cart around your iPad in just … Read more

With the help of Cobra's newest charger, your Android phone can automatically reconfigure for driving when connected to your car.

The Cobra JoyRide is no ordinary car charger. This 12-volt plug utilizes the Android Open Accessory framework to automatically trigger the launch of a companion app on an Android phone when connected via its micro USB port.

The Cobra JoyRide app features a car-specific interface that presents the user with large buttons to trigger functions such as voice command, hands-free calling, or launching a GPS navigation app. The JoyRide app can also automatically trigger the changing of phone settings--for … Read more

G-Form, the company behind those videos showing an iPad surviving a drop from a plane inside a G-Form ultrarugged protective sleeve, is finally going small: yes, there's now a G-Form iPhone case, and it looks like it means business.

No word on when this will actually be available, but we do know a price: $39.99. When we get more info, we'll fill you in. For now, have a look at this video of an iPad going up to the edge of space in a G-Form Extreme Sleeve.… Read more

The SwingHolder is an iPad stand designed to keep your tablet at eye level, whether you're lying in bed, sitting on the couch, cooking in the kitchen, or even standing on a stage.

The applications here are fairly endless. You could position your iPad in front of a treadmill or elliptical exerciser, making it easy to watch TV shows or movies. You could practice an instrument while reading onscreen sheet music. You could read an e-book without the muscle strain that often accompanies it.

What's more, the SwingHolder offers obvious benefits for the physically challenged.

The design borrows heavily from microphone stands, starting with a weighted base and fully adjustable swing arm that can raise, lower, and pivot to just about any position.… Read more