Chinese peripheral turns iPad into netbook

Want to turn you sleek new Apple tablet into a chunkier netbook? It might sound like a bit of a daft proposition for the showy gadget, but a Chinese kit lets you do just that, the major boon being you get a full keyboard to type with instead of the iPad‘s virtual one.

AppleInsider spotted the Chinese-made iPad conversion case when the manufacturer, Shenzhen Paoluy Silicone Technology, ran the idea past the FCC to get approval for its sale in the States.

The peripheral, which is snappily known as the BL-BKB76 at the moment, features a clamshell case for the tablet to slot into, and a bluetooth dust-proof and spill-proof keyboard.

The product has just been approved for retail in the US, and is also ready to be flogged in the UK by GearZap, who are selling it at £60. Stock is due shortly, apparently.