Every once in a while, a person will just plain get lucky. So I was
in my favorite tech gadget store, Marshalls (a discount clothing
store), and I saw a Kodak 50-in-1 card reader. I don't have a card
reader, as I normally use the one at work. With a price of $7 (the
package had been opened), I could hardly refuse.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the
Kodak card reader worked with my new
iPad! I plugged in the USB dongle with the card reader and was able
to import an image from a Compact Flash card - all without having to
use a powered USB hub!
I am certainly relieved to not have to worry about whether the
digital still camera I buy will be compatible with the iPad. Even if
the USB cord doesn't work, I will be able to take the memory card out
of the camera and import my photos into the iPad.
I
could also accept cards from other folks to either import images to
print, email, or store for them. If I happen to find a card sitting
around, I can find out what images are on it, even if the camera is no
longer around. I really feel that this flexibility makes the iPad a
better device for what I am planned to do with it. It will find a home
in my gadget bag next to my camera and lenses.
I have a feeling that any USB device will sort of be a hit-or-miss
with the iPad, and I can offer no advice as to what will work and what
won't. I would like to see external drives supported, as it would be
convenient to back up your iPad to a drive and be able to restore the
iPad in the field. This would make the iPad more independent, but it
probably mean some changes to iOS.
I have accomplished several of the tasks that I wanted to with my
new iPad, and I am very optimistic about using the iPad instead of an
OS X device under most conditions.