More than one-third of American adults own a tablet. We now have tablets for the office, travel, kids, and even for your cat. Still, a slate on its own is only so useful. Here are some accessories that will amp up entertainment, simplify the touchscreen experience, and help protect your prized possession.
Chromecast
There’s no better way to share YouTube or Netflix from your Android slate to the big screen than with Chromecast. This dongle turns any TV into a smart TV for only $35, and gives your tablet control of the living room. Set up is simple: Plug it into your HDTV’s HDMI port, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, and grab the accompanying app (for mobile) or Chrome extension (for desktop). It also works with apps like HBO Go, Pandora, and Hulu Plu. Did we mention it’s only $35?
Otterbox Defender Series Case
If your tablet is a family affair (or you’re just clumsy like me), you may want to offer it some extra protection against things like greasy fingers and unexpected floor drops (me again). Otterbox’s Defender Series of cases is a prime choice, and are available for a number of tablets, including the iPad Air, Kindle Fire HDX, and Galaxy Note 10.1. They protect against drops, dust, and scratches thanks to a built-in screen protector.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air with Lightning Dock
The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air ($600) speakers are a stylish, but kinda expensive addition to your home entertainment setup. If you exist in the Apple ecosystem, they might be worth it to you. These devices were recently updated with a Lightning dock for compatibility with Apple’s latest iDevices. They deliver killer audio and HD quality over Wi-Fi using Apple’s AirPlay standard. (They also work with non-Apple devices via USB).
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Mini
No one likes typing on a capacitive touchscreen, and leaving it uncovered makes it vulnerable to scratches. If you type a lot and want to protect your tablet too, a keyboard case like Logitech’s Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad mini ($80) is a must. The ultra-slim aluminum case clips onto your iPad mini magnetically and connects via Bluetooth. You can also sit the iPad in a groove behind the keyboard so it’s securely propped at an angle.
Big Jambox
Maybe you’ve got a wicked collection of iTunes or Google Play songs. Or maybe you enjoy streaming music from Rdio or Spotify. Either way, you need something better than tablet speakers to enjoy your tunes. Jawbone’s Big Jambox ($300) is one of the best portable speakers out. It’s significantly larger than the ultra-portable original Jambox speaker, but that increase in size helps beef up its audio performance. The Big Jambox comes in a variety of colors and grille patterns to suit your needs and fancies.
Lego Mindstorms EV3
How about a robot you build and then control yourself using an iOS app? The Lego Mindstorms EV3 ($350) includes 550 Lego Technic pieces and 3 servo motors, as well as IR, touch, and color sensors. Instructions for building all sorts of robo creations are online at its website, or you can use your imagination to develop your own. Once built, you can control your robot using either the Mindstorms app, or the included remote control. I’m not an Apple anything owner, but I’d get one just for this.
Skydog Family Router
The average household has 5.7 mobile devices. If you’ve got a family, that’s a lot of Internetting to regulate. The Skydog family router ($150) makes it easy to get a granular look at what’s going on digitally in your house. It allows you to check Internet use by user or device in real time. Parents can fine-tune what sites kids have access to, and what hours they have access to the Internet, using a simple online interface. You can also prioritize bandwidth, to ensure that your streaming video comes in at the highest quality possible.
