Gallery: 13 Tablet-Enhancing Toys to Make Your Slate Truly Useful
01Pencil
More than [one-third](http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/Tablet-Ownership-2013.aspx) of American adults now own a tablet. There are tablets for the office, tablets for travel, tablets for kids, tablets for your cat. Still, a slate on its own is only so useful. Here are 13 accessories that'll amp up entertainment, simplify the touchscreen experience, and help protect your prized possession. *Above:* FiftyThree Pencil ----------------- A good stylus gives you the freedom to create true works of art on your touchscreen slate. We like [Pencil](http://shop.fiftythree.com), a stylus that acts like, well, a pencil. There's a writing tip on one end and an eraser on the other. The stylus itself looks sharp, and is crafted from brushed aluminum. It also comes in a solid walnut model, and its rectangular shape ensures it won't roll off your desk. Best of all, magnets hidden inside the body allow you to attach it to your iPad's magnetic side hinge when it's not in use. *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
02TwelveSouth BookBook Travel Journal
TwelveSouth BookBook Travel Journal ----------------------------------- If your tablet is your life, you need a robust case to carry it everywhere you go -- along with its many accessories. [Twelvesouth's BookBook Travel Journal](http://twelvesouth.com/products/traveljournal/) ($100) lets you stash your tablet in a faux-book facade and comes with over a dozen pockets and straps for storing headphones, cables, battery packs, and other miscellaneous accoutrements. It looks smart too, with a rigid, high-quality leather exterior. You can carry this tome on its own, or stash it in a backpack or messenger bag. It's compatible with all iPad models, including the Air and mini. *Image: TwelveSouth*
Jerry Huang03MagConnect Wall Cabinet Mount
MagConnect Wall/Cabinet Mount for iPad Air ------------------------------------------ The kitchen, office, and bathroom are all perfectly reasonable places for a tablet wall mount in your home. Your tablet remains mobile, but, with [MagConnect's mount](http://www.thejoyfactory.com/product/MMA204 ) ($120), when you want to easily reference a recipe, for example, you can snap it into a holster (thanks to a magnetic case), adjust it to the position you want, and take it from there. It doesn't take up counter space, and you don't have to handle it with flour-covered fingers. And the MagConnect's mounts are light, yet super strong, since they're made of carbon fiber. *Image: The Joy Factory*
WIRED04Livescribe 3 Smart Pen
Livescribe 3 Smart Pen ---------------------- Sometimes, it’s just easier to take handwritten notes than to type things out on a touchscreen or keyboard. But what if you still want to share those notes digitally? The [Livescribe 3 smartpen](http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/ls3/) ($150) let’s you do that. It pairs with an iOS app to transfer what you write, as you write it, so you can easily share or reference it later. The app has a snappy handwriting to text function that’s awesomely accurate. And the capacitive stylus tip at the end of the pen makes the touchscreen to paper transition smooth instead of awkward. *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
05Skydog
Skydog Family Router -------------------- The average household has [5.7 mobile devices](http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/03/18/npd-us-homes-now-hold-over-500m-internet-connected-devices-with-apps-at-an-average-of-5-7-per-household/). If you've got a family, that can mean a lot of Internetting to keep tabs on. The [Skydog family router](http://www.amazon.com/Skydog-Family-Router-Service-Subscription/dp/B00FYEP0TI) ($150) makes it easy to get a granular look at what's going on digitally in your house, letting you 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, so your streaming video comes in at the highest quality possible. *Image: Skydog*
Philip Elberling06LEGO Mindstorm robot
Lego Mindstorms EV3 ------------------- How about a robot you build and then control yourself using an iOS app? The [Lego Mindstorms EV3](http://shop.lego.com/en-US/LEGO-MINDSTORMS-EV3-31313?p=31313) ($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. Lego Mindstorms are a great way to introduce someone young to programming. Plus, you know, Legos. *Image: Lego*
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED07Retina iPad mini
iPad Mini With Retina display ----------------------------- A 10-inch tablet is great for Netflixing and reading when you're at home. But if your tablet needs lean more toward portability, you can't beat the [Retina display iPad mini](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2013/11/apple-ipad-mini-retina/) ($400). It packs a 2048 x 1536 pixel, 7.9-inch display in a 7-inch form factor. An A7 processor -- the same as in the larger iPad Air and iPhone 5s -- ensures games, movies, and apps load swiftly and smoothly. And iOS features around half a million tablet-optimized apps to choose from. *Image: Apple*
08Big Jambox
Big Jambox ---------- Maybe you've got a robust 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](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/05/big-jambox/) ($300) is one of the best portable speakers you can get. 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. *Photo: Jon Snyder/WIRED*
09Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Mini ----------------------------------------------- No one likes typing on a capacitive touchscreen. And leaving it uncovered means it's vulnerable to scratches. For someone who types a lot and wants to protect their tablet too, a keyboard case like [Logitech's Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad mini](http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/ultrathin-keyboard-mini?crid=1325) ($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. *Image: Logitech*
10Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air w/Lightning Dock
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air with Lightning Dock ------------------------------------------------- The [Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air](http://store.apple.com/us/product/HB922VC/A/bowers-wilkins-zeppelin-air-speakers-with-lightning-connector) ($600) speakers are a stylish -- but very spendy -- addition to your home entertainment setup. They're worth it, though, especially if you subscribe to the Apple ecosystem. These guys have been out for a couple of years now, but were recently updated with a Lightning dock for compatibility with Apple's latest iDevices. They deliver killer audio too: HD quality over Wi-Fi using Apple's AirPlay standard. (They also work with non-Apple devices via USB). Plus, we love the Zeppelin Air's sci-fi chic looks. *Image: Bowers & Wilkins*
11Kubi Hacker Edition
KUBI ---- A telepresence robot lets you virtually be somewhere you can't physically be. Normally, they cost oodles of moolah. Revolve Robotics' [KUBI](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/12/revolve-robotics-kubi/) is a more cost-effective, tablet-based option. Whether you've got a loved one on the other side of the world, or a remote worker or two in your office, KUBI can make it seem like they're (sort of) actually there. The remotely operated stand isn't mobile, but offers a 300 degree pan and 90 degrees of tilt for following the action in a room. The cheaper "hacker edition" is [available now](http://revolverobotics.com/get-kubi/9-kubi-the-hacker-edition.html) for $400, and a limited number of full-fledged [KUBI Classics](http://revolverobotics.com/get-kubi/8-kubi-classic.html) are available now to WIRED readers for $500. *Image: Revolve Robotics*
12Otterbox Defender Series Case
Otterbox Defender Series Case ----------------------------- If your tablet is a family affair (or you're just clumsy), you may want to offer it some extra protection against things like grubby fingers and unexpected floor drops. [Otterbox's Defender Series](http://www.otterbox.com/shop_cases/shop_cases,default,sc.html) 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. *Image: Otterbox*
13Chromecast
Chromecast ---------- There's no better way to sling YouTube or Netflix from your Android slate to the big screen than with [Chromecast](http://www.amazon.com/Google-Chromecast-Streaming-Media-Player/dp/B00DR0PDNE/&ref_=tv_srch_google ). This dongle turns any TV into a smart TV for only $35, and gives your tablet control of the living room. Set up is dead simple: Just 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 Plus. Chromecast makes a fantastic surprise stocking stuffer. Did we mention it's only $35? *Photo: Alex Washburn/WIRED*
