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iPad May Support USB Audio Interfaces Via Camera Accessory Kit
- Thread starter Flowbee
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I think there are two main reasons:
1. People want to use the iPad as a touch interface to whatever device they are interested in.
2. People want to get stuff on/off the iPad. I agree that wireless is much better for doing this, but wireless is not always an option.
Pardon me if I'm not entirely up to scratch on technical standards like that USB Audio Class thing, but seeing as the Camera Connection USB adapter allows for uploading video (with audio) to the iPad, doesn't it make a lot of sense, that it will also allow for audio transfer sans video? 
Pardon me if I'm not entirely up to scratch on technical standards like that USB Audio Class thing, but seeing as the Camera Connection USB adapter allows for uploading video (with audio) to the iPad, doesn't it make a lot of sense, that it will also allow for audio transfer sans video?
I assumed the advertised capability was for uploading video *files* from a camera, but not a "live" stream of video or audio.
This would be nice for Korg's iElectribe iPad app. It would be cool if it could USB sync with other MIDI equipment and DAW system. If I got an iPad, I would definetly get the iElectribe.
AND for physical connections to the outside world, such as audio or MIDI interfaces as a prime example, without having to use a proprietary standard via the port.
Tony
I've only just realised why Apple didnt include a USB port on the iPad.
Had Apple put a USB port on the machine, there would be a wave of crapgadgets to plug into the iPad. By forcing the use of the dock connector, Apple can somewhat control who does and doesnt have access to make a peripheral since - dont they authorise / take a percentage of all dock connected devices?
Sure you might be able to make a USB device that connects via that camera connection kit but it means the manufacturer has to rely on:
a) You having bought the connection kit in the first place.
b) It looking like crap to have that bulbous plastic chunk attached to your crapgadget.
A big hurdle to someone who wants to make an iPad powered accessory, without Apples consent.
Had Apple put a USB port on the machine, there would be a wave of crapgadgets to plug into the iPad. By forcing the use of the dock connector, Apple can somewhat control who does and doesnt have access to make a peripheral since - dont they authorise / take a percentage of all dock connected devices?
Sure you might be able to make a USB device that connects via that camera connection kit but it means the manufacturer has to rely on:
a) You having bought the connection kit in the first place.
b) It looking like crap to have that bulbous plastic chunk attached to your crapgadget.
A big hurdle to someone who wants to make an iPad powered accessory, without Apples consent.
You mean like with Frotz? I was playing Zork on my iPad yesterday... mmm elvish sword of great antiquity...
I've been hoping printing through wifi (Airport Express/Extreme/Mac Shared printer) would happen.
EDIT:
iPad Printing Solved: http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/ipad-printing-solved/
The adapter and external power supply cannot be used at the same time. For this article's hypothetical use, it would be handy to do both at the same time. The exceptional battery life of the iPad mitigates this significantly, however.
I have a random question relating to photos on the ipad-
Why do they suck?
Every image I've loaded to it (or emailed myself and saved to it) ends up as a compressed mess- so much for the beautiful screen...
Anyone have any workaround? The saving email attachments worked on my phone to get nice pics onto it...
thanks!
Upload your photo's in the exact same dimensions as the native resolution of the Ipad: 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi). Don't rely on the compression-engine of the Ipad.
I agree. The problem with the proprietary connector is that it requires a different dongle for whatever one's use of the connector is--one for audio, one for pictures, for example, and I can imagine that one day we'll have yet a third for a webcam for Skype. This is the exact opposite of the simplicity and elegance that Apple strives for, and pretty soon, the device is no longer easily portable.
Seriously, one USB port to attach devices and one little SD card slot for transferring files--these can be tucked into the sides so that they don't interfere with the aesthetics, and avoid the need for these proprietary attachments.
That may be part of it, but the other part of it may simply be to force realistic expectations.
If there was a USB connector, how many phone calls would Apple get from people saying "My webcam doesn't work! My flash memory stick won't load! My iPhone won't charge! My printer won't print! The videos on my camcorder aren't downloading! My modem isn't connecting! My scanner isn't scanning! My MP3 player isn't syncing! My MIDI keyboard..." etc. People see a USB port and they assume and expect that USB devices should work.
The engineers at Apple really only have two choices here:
1. Put a USB connector on the device, then be forced to tell everyone "no, sorry, that port's only useful for a few specific devices" since the iPad isn't designed to be a general purpose PC. There won't be drivers or support for most devices that have a USB connector. There would be confusion and backlash ("Stupid USB port that doesn't work").
2. NOT put a USB connector on the device, but instead provide specific adaptors for specific purposes. The USB adaptor exists, but using it forces you to think about what device you're actually trying to plug into the iPad, and whether or not you should expect it to work. Naturally there's backlash here too, although a different sort.
I think they really should have put an SD card reader in though.
I guess someone could also build a doohicky that supplies dock power and then has a dock port of its own. Maybe something will come out since other iPad accessories would have this issue (no charging while using VGA out for example).
My guess it would*, but either you have crappy compressed photo's, or you have some interpolation.
*-> I don't have an Ipad yet, but i am a little familiar with how to show photo's, and am thinking right now in terms of using the Ipad to show your portfolio. From my point of view, you always do how you think your photo's are shown best. If that means downsizing to the native resolution of the Ipad, so be it. It's one way or the other.
Interesting point.
I notice that the Blue Mikey has been updated to allow you to plug power into it, which will then pass through to the iPhone/iPod Touch. Perhaps the Camera Kit will allow USB power to flow through to the iPad while using it with an audio interface.
Having the iPad as an extension of a recording studio sounds intriguing. I would love to see what comes of this.
s.
That the best theory I've heard to date as to why there isn't a USB on there. For every person that wants USB there's another different reason WHY they want it and another thing the iPad isn't software capable of (out of the box).
I have no need or desire for USB on it; I like mine just fine. But I agree, the SD card reader should be built-in (even though I don't need it) and I think it's a bit of a slap in the face to make people buy this accessory. Many people want to think of it as a portable computer but when you look at how you need ANOTHER computer to transfer your music and photos to it (via iTunes and iPhoto).......it begins to feel more like a gadget.
Love mine the way it is though