Following its announcement of a new iPad Pro 9.7″ model, Apple quietly added a new adapter to the Apple Store – the Lightning To USB 3 Camera Adapter. This new dongle lets you charge the iPad while using a USB device, because apart from having a USB socket, it’s got a Lightning port as well.
Connecting a Lightning cable to that port, and then connecting the other end to a power adapter (like the one that comes with your iPad) powers the Lightning To USB 3 Camera Adapter, turning it into the equivalent of a “powered hub”, albeit with just one USB socket.
What’s so great about it?
The adapter’s Lightning port not only allows you to power the iPad while DJing (finally!), but it lets you power any USB device connected to the adapter – that means you can connect any Midi class compliant device to it without getting the annoying “The connected device requires too much power” message that pops up when a controller needs to be powered.
That’s great news for developers of DJ apps like djay Pro and DJ Player because it simplifies power requirements and expands the range of hardware controllers that can be mapped to the iPad. You can even use gear like compatible audio interfaces or USB powered microphones on your iPad to record voiceovers for your mixshow.
Although billed as being for the iPad Pro line (it has USB 3.0 transfer speeds for the iPad Pro 12.9″ only), it also works with the iPad mini line, the iPad Air line, and the iPad with Retina display, so it’ll work even if you’ve got an older model.
• The Lightning To USB 3 Adapter is now available for US$39. Check the Apple site for more details.
What do you think of this dongle? Will it pave the way for more developments in tablet DJing, or is iPad DJing just a fad that’s already dead in the water? Tell us what you think below.
Joey Santos
