Over the past several days, we've been testing Apple's latest gadget with four iPad 3 USB car Docks that are supposed to be
iPad 3 Cover: Griffin's PowerJolt ($20), XtremeMac's InCharge Auto ($20), Macally's USB Car Dock for iPod & iPad 3 ($15), and BoxWave's VersaDock PRO ($45/$26). All four Docks connect to your car's cigarette lighter power adapter, and have you connect a USB-to-Dock Connector cable to charge your iPad 3 in the car. You can also connect an iPod to any of these Docks with the same cable. Once that cable's connected, the only ways to get audio out of your
iPad 3 Cases are to use the headphone port, the
iPad 3 Leather Cases's built-in speakers, or iPad 3's Bluetooth feature; the Dock Connector port is blocked off.Cosmetically, the iPad 3 USB car Docks are each a little different from one another. Glossy black and chrome to match iPad 3's body, InCharge Auto is tube-shaped, and features a self-resetting fuse in case of power overloads, as well as inoffensive XtremeMac branding.