Accessories -- Engadget Mobile

accessories posts

BlackBerry Storm 2 accessories roll into Best Buy

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 11th 2009 @ 8:57PM

Silicone skins for the Storm 2 are starting to find their way into shipments destined to Best Buy stores around the country, another solid signal that RIM's second touchscreen effort is hitting retail sooner rather than later. What we found amusing about this first batch is that the packaging seems conflicted about what to call the thing -- 9550, Storm II (as opposed to Storm2 or Storm 2, interestingly), and even the phone's codename Odin all make appearances front and center. We suppose they're just trying to make it crystal clear what phone the skin's intended for, and with leaks going back a solid year, you've got to cover all your bases.

[Thanks, Caffoni]

Continue reading BlackBerry Storm 2 accessories roll into Best Buy

RIM working on Bluetooth watch, other spellbinding accessories?

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 13th 2009 @ 4:16PM

We're not sure why we didn't hear more about this way back at RIM's WES conference way back in May, but it was apparently mentioned by VP Antoine Boucher at the time that they're working on a Bluetooth-enabled watch. Furthermore, it's said to be more advanced than the models Sony Ericsson has put forth so far, featuring streaming audio (3.5mm jack on the watch, perhaps?) and Twitter / Facebook updates in addition to the usual things like caller ID and text messages. Note that the image floating around today of this thing isn't real -- it's just a Sony Ericsson MBW-100 with a swapped logo -- so it remains to be seen what this magical wrist accessory will look like, assuming it's real and coming to retail. It seems Boucher also mentioned a high-end Bluetooth headset codenamed "Alpha 1" that'll allow you to stream music and get navigation directions through some sort of totally awesome silicone earpiece boasted to possibly be "the best solution on the market." It's pretty hard to pique a lot of interest these days with something as vanilla and ubiquitous as a headset, but at any rate, it's interesting to see the depth of RIM's apparent commitment to the accessory market right now.

[Via techfresh.net]

Kensington's iPhone / iPod charging dock throws a mini battery into the mix

by Darren Murph posted Aug 4th 2009 @ 7:17AM

At this point, you've probably assumed that there's simply no way any company can produce yet another iPhone or iPod dock that's significantly different from the legions of alternatives already out. And you're wrong. So wrong. In an effort to milk that Made for iPod / iPhone partnership for all it's worth, Kensington has just introduced its Charging Dock with Mini Battery Pack, which not only charges your dock connecting iPod or iPhone, but also energizes an external battery pack through the same USB cable. When you leave, you'll depart with a charged device as well as a charged battery pack in case you need to use 3G services for more than eight minutes. Brilliant, no? It's up for pre-order now for $69.99.

[Via iPodNN]

T-Mobile rolling out plethora of myTouch accessories

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 8th 2009 @ 12:54PM

As much heat as the "myTouch" name has taken, we're starting to understand why T-Mobile went with it -- the myTouch 3G is a very customizable device. At device launch, we're counting no fewer than 17 trinkets to go along with your phone -- not including color variations -- ranging from the ultra-mundane (a USB cable in your choice of black or white, for example) to the awesome (a snap-on battery extender that'll add 50 percent more juice) to the crazy (a myTouch logo commuter mug). Buyers will also be able to get custom-designed shells through Skinit and have access to a fitness belt, meaning you now have absolutely no excuse not to get on the trail and run that ten miles with that trusty Magic firmly attached to your arm. Well, except the fact that The Hills is on. Right after The Hills, though, we swear.

Samsung trots out new Bluetooth headsets and speakerphones

by Darren Murph posted Nov 17th 2008 @ 4:45AM

Samsung Mobile's got a fever, and the only cure is more... Bluetooth? Yeah, that's it, Bluetooth. Aside from launching the hilariously named Planet Bluetooth -- an "online guide to Bluetooth technology and Samsung Mobile's Bluetooth accessories" -- the outfit has also rolled out two new BT headsets and a pair of BT speakerphones. The WEP460 headset (pictured) specializes in being ultra-small and utilizing a clear ear hook to make you look even more extraterrestrial; the SBH700 stereo headset obviously caters to music lovers and those with slightly deeper pockets. The HKT450 and HKT400 portable BT speakerphones both do exactly what they say, with neither being particularly noteworthy. The bitter details are fleshed out in the read link below, and so far as we can tell, the whole crew is available now.

Palm Treo 800w and Treo Pro accessories revealed, boredom hard to fend off

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 28th 2008 @ 8:50PM

Regardless of brand or model, one of the very first accessories many smartphone owners start rifling through the parts bin for is an extended battery of some sort. Unfortunately, Palm either doesn't know that or doesn't care, because a glance through its fresh round of accessories for the 800w and Pro doesn't reveal any. What we do see is a leather sleeve case for the 800w -- fancy! -- along with a "micro" charger that comes bundled with a spare battery. Depending on just how "micro" we're talking about, that could be a decent investment. It's not the most exciting group of SKUs, but for Treo fans, excitement is pretty hard to come by anyway.

Ozmo / Intel trumpet WiFi PAN for low-power devices, Bluetooth says "what?"

by Darren Murph posted Jun 4th 2008 @ 8:46AM

Look out, Bluetooth -- Ozmo Devices has its eyes set squarely on you. Okay, so maybe this whole thing isn't as adversarial as advertised, but there's no denying that the aforesaid company's latest initiative will target the exact same devices that BT is embedded within now. Ozmo has announced a partnership with Intel at Computex that will extend the latter company's Cliffside WiFi Personal Area Network (PAN) technology to "low-power devices." Essentially, WiFi radios that suck less juice nowadays would take on dual roles -- accessing WLAN networks and doing the duties typically reserved for Bluetooth -- which would enable devices to have one less component stuffed within bulking things up. As of now, there's been no takers on the design, but word on the street has Belkin already testing the approach out for kicks and giggles (or maybe something way more serious).

[Via DailyWireless]

Read - Ozmo Devices' press release
Read - WiFI PAN explained

The Motorola Z9's amazing, exciting accessories in the wild

by Chris Ziegler posted Mar 26th 2008 @ 5:54PM

Probably not worth rushing out to a store for, but some AT&T retail locations are starting to receive stock of the upcoming Motorola Z9's incredible batch of accessories. So, you know, if for whatever reason you were still holding out an irrational belief that the Z9 doesn't exist, this is probably the straw that breaks the camel's back right here. Now, let's just hope that we get something to actually put in the holster any minute now. Follow the break for another shot of the goods.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading The Motorola Z9's amazing, exciting accessories in the wild

Motorola announces music-centric T505 carkit

by Michael Caputo posted Oct 30th 2007 @ 1:50PM

It seems only fitting that Motorola would announce its latest in-car solution when the largest automotive accessory extravaganza -- SEMA -- is starting its 2007 show. Motorola's MOTOROKR T505 Bluetooth carkit combines handsfree calling, A2DP support, and an FM transmitter which allows music and phone calls to be streamed over Bluetooth and played through the car's speaker system. Don't rush out to the stores just yet as this won't be available to sometime in early 2008 (well, actually, you can rush out right now if you're so inclined, you'll just be waiting in the cold for a few months).

GPS, music, power: Nokia busts out slew of accessories

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 27th 2007 @ 3:57PM

Ear candy aside, Nokia showed a bunch of other goodies today to adorn that special handset in your life, too. First up, the LD-4W GPS Module adds a little style -- "Nseries style," sez Nokia -- to the previously released LD-3W, offering 10 hours of operation on a single charge; it'll be available for about €125 ($170) and promises compatibility with a "wide range" of Nokia hardware. Next, the MD-7W stereo Bluetooth speakers let you share the tuneage with those around you, willingly or not; they're also designed with the Nseries in mind but should work with any device supporting A2DP when they hit for €130 (about $177). Last but certainly not least, the DC-1 Power Pack acknowledges that media-centric phones aren't always the easiest on the battery, offering juice to one or two phones with 2mm Nokia power ports simultaneously. Look for this one to run about €105 ($143). All of 'em should be available "globally" in the fourth quarter of the year.

Super bio-tech "mobile phone plant strap" peeped

by Sean Cooper posted Jul 30th 2007 @ 9:09PM

We've all seen the standard teddy bear, Pikachu, and flashlight fobs, but they're all dead boring compared to this little life in vitro idea. Strapya-World, purveyors of all manner of straps and charms sell these small plants-in-a-jar in either pink or blue "bio-tech fertilizer" for just $9. The vial is sealed up tight so there is really nothing to do to take care of it, but hang it off your mobile and watch the natural magic happen. Of course, you know somebody will crack it open and plant something else in there, we'll be waiting to post that up in the coming weeks or months.

[Via GearFuse]

Introducing Peripheral vision!

by Sean Cooper posted Jul 13th 2007 @ 6:00PM

Engadget Mobile sees so many accessories glide past us to aged irrelevance in the slush pile that we decided it was high time to stop passing the little stuff up. Starting Monday, July 16th, we'll begin a weekly feature with all that is new and grand in the mobile accessory world wrapped up in a tight, easy-to-digest package. We're going to start with an iPhone focus (come on, tell us you don't want a hideous gray cable!), but this will blend over time to accommodate bits for all manner of handsets. And naturally, if anything piques your interest, be sure to fire a tip our way -- if it snaps on, clips on, plugs in, or covers up, we want to hear about it!

V-MODA Vibe Duo earbuds class up your iPhone

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jul 5th 2007 @ 12:01PM

Just when it seemed like the only option for better iPhone earbuds was to make them yourself, along comes the V-MODA Vibe Duo. Sure, it'll cost you, but for exactly $101 you can trade up to the luxury and style of this sweet-ass trio. The earbud / microphone combo features V-MASQUE dynamic drivers, a noise-canceling technology called BLISS, and (according to the propaganda), "vibrant bass" coupled with "vivacious highs". Clearly a package aimed at those with a taste for the finer things in life (like spending almost 17% of the cost of your phone on earbuds), the Vibe Duo comes with a 24k gold plated connector, leather pouch, six pairs of clear silicon fittings (plus two sets of black), and the assurance that you'll look considerably more classy when speaking to your agent.

[Thanks, Taylor F]

Belkin's iPhone accessory salmagundi now shipping

by Darren Murph posted Jul 3rd 2007 @ 9:23AM

What better way to cap off a recent $600 or so purchase than to spend even more money accessorizing it? The myriad of Belkin wares we spoke of a short time ago has hit the market just in time to grab your attention (and dough), and users itching to wrap their precious toy up in a clear acrylic case ($29.99), armband ($29.99), or slim-fit holster ($29.99) can now pick up any of the three. Additionally, a number of 3.5-millimeter stereo cables and headphone adapters are also available, but they aren't likely to perform any differently than the bargain variety already out there. Check 'em all out here in glorious high-resolution.

[Via I4U]

Hands-on with Crystal Film for the iPhone

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 30th 2007 @ 5:16PM

One of the inevitable first questions that gets asked when laying out hundreds of dollars for a device with a giant, glossy, gorgeous touchscreen is, "just how the heck am I going to protect this thing?" It turns out that the iPhone may not need any particular babying, but for the paranoid among us, Power Support is offering its "Crystal Film" through Apple stores. Ironically, Apple itself says that protective films aren't recommended since they can interfere with the iPhone's ability to register gestures, but sho' nuff, walk into any brick-and-mortar Apple Store and you're going to see these packs on the shelf. No matter how scratch-resistant it may seem, we figure there'll be plenty of people willing to lay out the $14.95 sticker price for the marginal additional peace of mind Crystal Film offers, so we wanted to take a look at just how user-friendly the stuff is.

Continue reading Hands-on with Crystal Film for the iPhone