iPad 2, the Accessories

The Apple iPad 2 looks to be a terrific device, much like its predecessor. In fact, while the upgrades are nice additions, the device is not leaps and bounds ahead of the original. But we thought that some of the other new things announced by Steve Jobs and company, such as new iPad accessories, might be the coolest part of the iPad 2 rollout. Here are our favorites:

• HDMI video output - Allows output from the iPad to TV with up to 1080P resolution. It will also allow users too charge their devices while outputting to a TV set
• Smart cover - This is a terrific upgrade from the existing cases. In fact, they took pains to call it a "cover", not a "case." While it still covers the device and folds up to create a stand, there's a lot more. The cover has magnets that automatically grasp and align the case, the inside cover has a micro-fiber interface that cleans the screen each time you close it, and they've added an auto-wake and auto-sleep feature based on whether or not the cover is open or closed.