The iPad is a great gaming platform thanks to its high-resolution screen and powerful graphics performance. Still, you do lose a little something when games are all controlled with the swipe of a finger. And iPads also tend to make gaming a solitary experience. During the holidays, playing alone just shouldn’t be an option. These toys, controllers, and accessories will take your iPad gaming experience to the next level. They make great gifts for yourself or any iPad owner in the family.
Into head-to-head trivia games with the family? Then this is the perfect add-on for your iPad. The Duo Pop’s clickers record which player or team is the first to buzz in with the answer, just like on TV. It works with five different games, all available in the App store.
Adding an iPad to a traditional board game does more than just spice up dice rolling. The Game of Life app brings animation and customization to the table. Players can unlock video content, use the app to get paid or sue fellow players, and customize their “peg person.”
Kids age 4 and up will appreciate this digital update on an old favorite. The Fishing Game works just like its mechanical counterpart: use a magic plastic rod to catch fish and drag them to your bucket. Just watch out for the sneaky heron – he’ll steal your catch if you’re not careful.
Complex games look stunning on the iPad, but if the on-screen controls leave you wanting more (or in fear you may crack the screen in a moment of excitement…) check out the Duo Gamer. This Apple-approved Bluetooth controller for the iPad works with Modern Combat 3, Asphalt 7, and many other Gameloft games. Thanks to the controller’s two analog joysticks, four buttons, D-PAD, and two triggers, you’ll get a console-style feel while playing on your tablet.
Love the idea of a controller but want something old school? The people who brought you the iCade iPad Arcade Cabinet have your back. Think Geek’s 8-Bitty Bluetooth controller is reminiscent of the original Nintendo controller and works with the same vast 150+ retro game library as the original iCade.
Going back even further, remember when arcades were all about the pinball machines? The tactile joy of slamming buttons to control the flippers is now available for the iPad thanks to the Duo Pinball machine. It even has a plunger for shooting the ball. Your iPad will stay steady as you play in your lap or on a tabletop, so keep it on the coffee table or in the back of the car to entertain kids on long trips. Works with the Pinball HD app, which includes five different table styles for free.
Familiar games like Angry Birds, Cut The Rope, and Fruit Ninja get a whole new level of gameplay with Mattel’s Apptivity figurines. Each toy works with a specific game, and unlocks special features when placed on the iPad’s screen. Engage in two-player fun in Fruit Ninja or get on the pig’s side in Angry Birds. Expand beyond familiar games with Apptivity’s other toys ranging from Batman and WWE superstars to Monster High characters, all with their own apps.
Fans of HeroClix will appreciate this digital update to the figurine-based fighting game. Special TabApp versions of Marvel and DC heroes interact with the new HeroClix app, which adds a new dimension to the game. Navigate through dungeons and other environments to battle enemies using special powers. Each character gets his or her own storyline and challenges, offering hours of gameplay (with more to come). While you can’t use your existing HeroClix figures with the iPad game, TabApps toys are compatible with regular tabletop play.
Adult artists use the iPad for sketching, so why shouldn’t kids? It’s less messy than crayons or paint, and they can create masterpieces even while traveling. Crayola’s coloring apps make a great canvas, now you just need the right tools. This set includes a digital crayon, digital airbrush, a stamper, and a 3-D stylus for creating drawings that pop off the screen. 3-D glasses are included.
An Apple insider just gave us a hint about the M5 iPad Pro release date
Apple's line of iPad Pro tablets are almost powerful enough to work as complete laptop replacements, depending on your use case. When a new iPad is announced, it's big news — almost as big as when Apple confirms a release date.
While that hasn't happened just yet for the M5 iPad Pro, an analyst with a solid track record says to expect mass production in the second half of next year. Ming-Chi Kuo reported that time frame on Medium, and assuming this is accurate, it's safe to assume we can expect the M5 iPad Pro to be released sometime in late 2025.
The 11-inch iPad Pro M2 sold out, but you can get the iPad Pro M4 for the same price
If you've been looking forward to the arrival of this year's Cyber Monday Apple deals. it's time to get excited. There are some excellent deals. Best Buy was offering the Wi-Fi + Cellular model of the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro M2 for only $1,099, following a $1,000 discount that nearly halved the tablet's original price of $2,099. But since there's always high demand for savings on Apple's iPad from Cyber Monday deals, that offer is sold out. Don't panic, though. Best Buy also has the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro with M4 Chip for the same price -- $1,099. It's only a savings of $100, down from $1,199, but that's still a fantastic price. We highly recommend shopping this deal before it sells out too.
Why you should buy the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro M4 instead
The Apple iPad Pro M2 wasn't the latest version of the powerful tablet -- that distinction goes to the Apple iPad Pro M4, yet both have rightfully taken their place in our list of the best iPads as the best premium option. Since the first deal on the M2 model sold out, you're getting the best of the best right now for the same price, anyway.
The 9th Gen iPad with Apple’s A13 Bionic chip is only $200 today
The Apple iPad has been a popular holiday item for several years now. With Cyber Monday officially here, we’re excited to see so many great iPad deals available. That leads us to this offer we found: For a limited time, when you purchase the 9th Gen iPad with A13 Bionic, you’ll only pay $200. At full price, this iPad sells for $480. We had the opportunity to test this model a while back, and our iPad expert had the following to say: “The iPad 10.2 (2021) is the best iPad you can buy today. There are few discernible upgrades over the previous two generations, but if you don't have one, this is the one to get. If you do, there's no point in upgrading.” If that's not a solid argument for grabbing this 9th Gen iPad deal, I don't know what is.
Why you should buy the 9th Gen iPad
Even though the A14 version of the iPad was released back in 2022, it’s not unusual for Apple to still sell the A13 version brand-new. And then, when holidays like Cyber Monday and Christmas roll around, the company knocks a few extra dollars off this 2021 device. Don’t be fooled either: the Apple A13 Bionic is an incredible chip that delivers a buttery smooth iPadOS experience, complete with fast load times, animations, and excellent media playback.
