It seems everywhere you look people are carrying their iPads. This handy piece of technology has really taken over the tech market. Not only does it allow us to check our email and the Internet, it acts as an eReader, a gaming unit, and everything in between. Even though it does not include a USB port or a disc player, the iPad2 has proven itself a worthwhile product. It is lightweight, thin, and easy to carry. And I bet many people will be getting one of these this holiday season!

So, what do you get someone who already has an iPad2 or is going to receive one? It's pretty self-sufficient as it is, however there are many accessories that make it even easier for users.

For one thing, the keyboard is part of the screen, which many people find a bit daunting. Come on, face it. You're used to typing on an actual keyboard - that is unless you're using your smart phone. Belkin, a company that has been producing reliable products for computing for years, has just the ticket for iPad2 users who miss their keyboard.

The Belkin Keyboard Folio is actually three items in one. It is an iPad2 case, a stand, and a Bluetooth keyboard. First of all, it is a handy case in which to carry your iPad2. Many people feel more comfortable carrying their tablet in a case. Secondly, it is a stand so that a user can position their tablet upright or on an angle without having to hold it. And third, it includes a built-in keyboard so users can see their entire screen while typing on actual keys. I have to admit I enjoy a real keyboard instead of the onscreen keyboard. There is nothing like the feel of actually pressing a key. And, hang onto your hats, there is a .com key as well as an @ key. And there are keys to adjust the volume, cut, paste, and several other commands. This is truly a user-friendly keyboard.

Okay, so you might be wondering if all of this takes away from the light weight portability that was the original idea for the iPad2. Yes and no. It adds greatly to the usability of the unit but it does add just a little weight. However, if you are planning on taking your iPad2 on a trip instead of your computer, this really makes it much easier to keep tabs on everything. There are 60 hours of time on the battery and when it runs down, simply plug in the USB cord into another computer to recharge.

What the Keyboard Folio does is turn an iPad2 into a netbook. It is one of the handiest accessories I have found for the tablet. "With the explosion of the tablet market and more people using tablets as a laptop stand-in, people really need accessories that provide enhanced functionality and portability while on the go," said Jamie Elgie, senior director of product management for Belkin's mobility division. He added, "Thanks to its ultra-thin design, the Belkin Keyboard Folio enables a comfortable, computer-style typing experience wherever and whenever you need it."

For people who simply desire a stand for their iPad2, the Belkin FlipBlade Adjust is a great little unit. It is thin and lightweight. With four positions to angle the tablet, everyone can have the perfect angle for them. 

Many people might wonder why they need a stand. After all, the iPad2 is lightweight and easy to hold. But what a stand does is give the user a hands-free option. If you do not have the Keyboard Folio, using both hands makes typing onscreen easier. And often having to place the tablet on a table or your lap is not exactly the best way for people to see their screens. It makes reading the screen easier when you can adjust the angle and have it stay where you want it.

Now for the piece-de-resistance, the Belkin Chef Stand + Stylus was specifically designed for people who cook or bake. And this makes a great gift for kids to give to their mothers, or fathers, or parents to give to their budding chef and bakers. The stand allows the user to place their iPad2 on the kitchen counter so they can easily read a recipe, just like they would stand up a recipe book. But beyond that, this comes with a stylus so sticky, wet, or floured hands won't mess up the screen. Just use the stylus to touch the screen and it will stay crystal clear.

Although this unit was designed primarily for use in the kitchen, it also comes in handy in other areas. Think of all the times your hands are messy and a stylus would come in handy - at the beach, for instance. That is the perfect place to use the stylus to keep sand off of the screen. And don't worry about the stylus getting dirty. It can easily be cleaned with soap and water.

With tablets (and the iPad2 specifically) becoming part of our everyday lives, these accessories help make them more compatible with our lifestyles. Sure, the iPad2 is great by itself, but you have to admit that these accessories add to the usability of the tablet.