Mobile Monday – Camera Connection Kit

Today in the Mobile Monday Series I am going to talk about two pieces of hardware you can purchase rather than an app you can download. For those of you with an iPad, I am sure you have done some genealogical research on it. If you haven't or you don't realize the amazing capabilities it has to help you in your research, you are missing out. I hope that in the next few months I can help show you many features, apps, etc. to help you really take your genealogy mobile. Also, for those of you attending the RootsTech Conference here in Salt Lake City in a few weeks, I will be showing a lot of really cool things you can do on your mobile device! Today I want to show you the iPad Camera Connection Kit. I just recently heard about this little device and since I am such a techie nerd I had to go out and buy it! The current iPad does not have a camera built into it, but I know there are many hopes and rumors that the next generation of iPad will. But for those of us, like myself, who will not be the first ones to rush out and buy the new iPad, there is an amazing alternative. When you buy the iPad Camera Connection Kit it comes with two little adapters. The connection kit enables you to connect your camera to your iPad via the USB cable that comes with your camera or simply by inserting your SD card your photos are stored on. There are many times while doing our research and we take photos of cemeteries, houses, documents and many other items. By using your digital camera and importing the photos into your iPad with the connection kit, you are getting a better quality image than if the iPad had a camera built into it. (Unless your digital camera is a number of years old and has a low megapixel quality.) I bought the iPad Camera Connection Kit on Saturday and was very impressed with it. As soon as you attach the adapter and either plug in your camera or SD card, a screen automatically appears on your iPad showing thumbnails or all the photos available to import into your iPad.

I find this to be very handy especially when you don't want to carry around your laptop with you while you are on the go. The two adapters are small enough they fit into a little pouch I have for my iPad and I hardly even notice they are there. Honestly, the more I use my iPad and find little adapters, cases and apps the more I am liking it. I find myself using my iPad a lot more than my laptop at times. There are many times where it is so much more convenient to use and carry around. Do any of you have the iPad Camera Connection Kit? Do you like it? What other options have you found using your mobile devices and taking photos? Leave us your comments and feedback below!