6 accessories you must buy for your tablet

 Own a tablet? How about adding some more power to it with accessories that will surely enhance your tablet experience? Check out our list of six accessories that are a must-buy to make your tablet even more useful…

1. Bluetooth keyboards (Rs 2,500 onwards)

 You may change your keyboard in Android or use voice, but there's no substitute for the real thing: a proper keyboard with keys that have sufficient travel. A wireless keyboard enables you to effortlessly type out long text while keeping the tablet propped up like a display.

Logitech's K400 Bluetooth keyboard (Rs 2,499) is a good place to start — it connects via Bluetooth and has a built-in touchpad. Logitech's Tablet Keyboard (Rs 5,000) also connects via Bluetooth but it comes with a case that doubles up as a stand. And if you need something portable, check out QQ Tech's Mini Keyboard with touchpad (Rs 2,700).

2. Tablet table mounts (Rs 2,000 onwards)

A tablet table mount is a great way to keep a tablet at eye level while keeping the desk surface clutter free. Most mounts are device agnostic and they'll work with any tablet and e-reader with screen sizes ranging from 6- to 12-inch.

There are a few kinds available: primarily, the gooseneck mount has a flexible arm while the fixed type has a few pivoting and rotating joints. If you prefer a standing desk, the mounts can also be attached to windows or other furniture with flat surfaces.

3. Wireless external drives (Rs 4,000 onwards)

 Many tablets have limited internal memory with no option to add more. However, you can add external wireless storage with devices built for the purpose. Two such examples are Kingston's MobileLite Wireless drive (Rs 4,000) and Seagate's Wireless Plus (Rs 10,600 for the 1TB version).

The Kingston offering is lightweight but does not have any storage of its own: you can connect a USB drive, SD card or a portable hard drive to it for wireless access. Both drives have their own built in batteries to create a Wi-Fi hotspot — you just need to install the corresponding free app (iOS & Android) to access content stored on the drive.

4. Tablet power bank (Rs 2,000 onwards)

 A power bank for a tablet usually has two USB ports and a much larger battery than usual (10,000mAh is a good option). The two USB ports typically have different outputs: 2amp for tablets and 1amp for phones.

Keep in mind that the large battery takes quite a while to charge — a set of LEDs will keep you informed about charge status.

While you can get several brands at very cheap rates, be sure to buy one with a warranty. Some of the brands you can consider are Just Mobile, Lapcare, Mi (Xiaomi) and Sony.

5. Portable Wi-Fi router (Rs 1,500 onwards)

 If you need internet connectivity on a Wi-Fi-only tablet while on the move, you could always create a hotspot from your smartphone (most Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and iOS phones support this now).

However, you may not want to do this in the interest of battery life (especially if multiple people need to access the same hotspot). In such a case, you can get a portable Wi-Fi router that either accepts a sim card or USB dongle to create a Wi-Fi hotspot. Some also have a built in battery that can create a hotspot for up to 4 hours at a time.

6. SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive (Rs 675 onwards)

 This tiny USB drive is built specifically to take advantage of the USB host option that many Android tablets and smartphones have. On one end, it has a conventional male USB plug so that you can transfer data to and from a computer. At the other end is a microUSB plug that plugs right into the tablet.

SanDisk's Dual USB Drive is designed so that only one side can be connected at a time (the sliding dust covers make it impossible to connect both sides). Essentially, it eliminates the need to use a USB host cable. It is available in capacities of 16, 32 or 64GB. You can use it to share files or as handy external storage.