Looks like USB drives via the camera connection kit are coming:
iPad Spirit jailbreak + Camera Connection Kit = external HDD support -- Engadget

This implementation is messy, but if you're not trying to spin up a disk, and just want to plug in a USB key... if they got a hack this far, it's probably only a matter of time before they have an app on Cydia that will recognize a storage dongle.

Very Promising!

I expected this coming soon. Good find. Now I just need wireless printing w/o host pc/mac

Way too cumbersome in its current form. If I have to have a laptop in the loop to make it work, it kind of defeats the purpose. Even if they are able to remove the laptop from the equation, a power source for the HD will still be required.

Don't get me wrong, I think this will be useful. I just don't believe that it will ever get to the point where we can just plug a HD into the camera connection kit and use the data on it (at least not on gen 1 iPads).

On a side note, there sure are a lot of haters on engadget. I was only able to read a few of the comments on this article before I had to leave the site. I can only take being told that I am an idiot for liking the iPad so many times .

I saw that too. Too cool.

Did you see the dashboard thing?
Quick Review: Dashboard for iPad (Jailbreak) | TiPb

Just wait!

A HDD does not need to be used. To bulky. But a Pendrive or similar