Accessory -- Engadget Mobile

accessory posts

Motorola Droid already getting accessorized

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 20th 2009 @ 5:58PM

If there's one thing that's sure to break a new Droid owner's heart, it's scratching the hell out of it -- or worse yet, dropping it to its untimely death. Wouldn't that be a tragedy? Of course, one quick and dirty way to avoid a lot of that heartache is to equip your phone with a beefy protective case, and from what we're seeing here, it looks like there won't be any problem whatsoever finding such cases on day one of the Droid's availability (whenever that happens to be). What we've got here is a third-party case (excuse us -- "carrying solution") that's popped up over at Best Buy Mobile, though interestingly, the Droid's model number of A855 is being featured far more prominently than the catchy name itself. Given the look of this thing, we think you'll need to have an extreme dedication to preserving your phone's rugged handsomeness to actually equip it, but hey, more power to you -- meanwhile, we'll carry on with letting our phones rustle around with coins, keys, pens, and switchblades in our pockets.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

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

iTwinge: the perfectly named iPhone keyboard

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 16th 2009 @ 4:37AM

Um, where to begin? How about a definition:

twinge n. A brief experience of emotion, typically an unpleasant one.

Funny, that's the reaction we had when first laying eyes on Mobile Mechatronics' iTwinge iPhone keyboard. At the moment, we're unclear if the iTwinge electronically docks to the base of the iPhone or if it's just a $30 (plus shipping) sleeve with Pogo-like coating for capacitive touchscreens. According to the FAQ, the ultra-low power iTwinge "uses the phones power" but doesn't require any software to work with Apple's iPhone 3G or 3GS handsets. Regardless, after 4 hours of usage an "average user" will increase typing speed by 30% to 40% with 70% to 80% fewer typing errors. Golly! If you pre-order now you can expect shipment in November. So go ahead, we dare ya. Another pic after the break.

[Via ChipChick]

Continue reading iTwinge: the perfectly named iPhone keyboard

MovieWedge beanbag keeps your iPhone upright, costs ten bucks

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 14th 2009 @ 5:22PM

You know, 2009 is turning into a banner year for pillow-assisted gadgetry. Not only has Philips introduced the CushionSpeaker, but we've just been hepped to a similar idea for the portable media set, an iPhone / Zune / etcetera stand called the MovieWedge. If you've ever wanted to spend $9.95 on a bean bag, now's your chance, kids -- this guy's shaped like a pyramid, constructed out of micro-suede (perfect for wiping your display free of fingerprints) and who knows? It may free you from the tyranny of having to hold your iPhone upright on long plane rides. But one thing it won't free you from? The shame of spending ten bucks on a beanbag. Peep 'er in the gallery below.

Gallery: MovieWedge beanbag keeps your iPhone upright, costs ten bucks

[Via PhoneMag]

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]

TomTom's iPhone car kit and navigation software priced overseas

by Darren Murph posted Aug 6th 2009 @ 4:44AM

TomTom told us that its long-awaited iPhone navigation app and in-car mounting kit would be landing "this summer," and at least on our watch, summertime is quickly drawing to a close. If a pre-order listing over at Handtec is to be believed, it looks as if the outfit is exceedingly close to finally having both the software and hardware ready for shipping. The £113.85 ($194) asking price includes a suction mount for your iPhone as well as the mapping software, though there's no indication of exactly how much the app and hardware will run by themselves. Of course, until the iPhone supports multitasking, using it as a dedicated PND is still a risky move; one stray call during a pivotal moment in your travels and you can consider yourself lost. Oh, and then there's the fact that this thing has a TomTom logo on it -- if the iPhone app functions anything like the company's high-end GO 740 LIVE, we'd say you're better off asking Mr. Gas Station attendant (or buying a different brand).

[Via DaniWeb]

Continue reading TomTom's iPhone car kit and navigation software priced overseas

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]

Joby's Gorillamobile keeps your phone firmly affixed to whatever

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 30th 2009 @ 8:21AM

Historically, the Gorillapod's lease in life has been all about mounting cameras to tree branches, goalposts, and strangers' limbs -- but, you know, cameras aren't the only things in the world that could use that kind of superhuman capability, are they? To that end, Joby has introduced Gorillamobile, a package of goodies that includes the company's Gorillapod Original -- its smallest flexible tripod -- along with tripod, suction cup, and adhesive clips for attaching various smartphones and point-and-shoots. What's it good for? Well, that's entirely up to you and your overactive imagination -- but Joby shows iPhones being securely stowed on desks, exercise bikes, and strollers, so we're sure you'll be able to figure out something. Look for it to ship on August 10 for $29.95.

Stuffed Care Bears head is a perfect phone holster, complete nightmare

by Darren Murph posted Mar 14th 2009 @ 10:01PM

Not going to lie here -- we're having a really tough time determining whether this is just mildly weird, astonishingly strange or adorably cute. While we wrestle with our emotions, we'll candidly explain that this stuffed Care Bears head does nothing more than hold your cellphone and cast dubious glances in your direction. If that's all you need to be happy, you can snag yours now for $13.27. Just don't be alarmed when guests begin making up excuses to bounce approximately 3.9 seconds after seeing this on the kitchen table, okay?

[Via OhGizmo]

mophie's iPhone 3G Juice Pack unboxed and tested: high marks all around

by Darren Murph posted Dec 9th 2008 @ 9:49AM

Curious to know if your Benjamin will be well spent on mophie's iPhone 3G Juice Pack? TestFreaks is out to make sure you have an accurate answer to that, and judging by their report after two solid weeks of usage, the response is an emphatic "yes." Not only was the device sleek enough to not be incredibly cumbersome, but it actually performed as advertised. Reviewers were able to get their iPhone 3G from near-death to fully charged (twice!) on a single mophie charge, leading them to conclude that it "basically doubles the run time of the iPhone 3G" in a worse case scenario. Granted, even they couldn't overlook the particularly large price tag, but if you've been running bone dry with any level of frequency, we suspect the asking price won't matter nearly as much.

[Thanks, Kristofer]

iPhone 3G Dock / Universal Dock Adapters now on sale

by Darren Murph posted Jul 18th 2008 @ 11:42AM

For many, dropping $199 / $299 on an iPhone 3G (provided you actually locate one not hidden behind a 4+ hour line) is enough. For those who fell head over heels with the original iPhone dock, it's not. Here's your chance to send 29 more US bucks Cupertino's way, as the official iPhone 3G Dock is now on sale at Apple's website. Oh, and if you're really a sucker, you'll lay down 9 whole US dollars for a 3-pack of iPhone 3G Universal Dock Adapters to slip your new mobile into a Universal Dock.

Update: So apparently these have been in Apple stores since day 1. Considering just how long it'll take to get in one, though, this whole "online route" is still probably your best bet.

[Via Wired]

Read - Apple iPhone 3G Dock
Read - iPhone 3G Universal Dock Adapter 3-Pack

Emergency travel charger plays nice with Palm's Multi-Connector

by Darren Murph posted Jun 9th 2008 @ 10:50PM

Oh sure, there's a plethora of portable USB chargers out there to keep most every cellphone around juiced up for one last call, but those handling a Palm handset with the polarizing Multi-Connector have long been shut out cold -- until now. Tech Center Labs has just come to the rescue with its Tiny Emergency FuelCell, which holds a single AA and enables power to be passed along to Centros and any other Palm / Treo device with the proprietary connector. Best of all, the pocket-friendly device is just $9.95 (or $10.95 with a bundled battery). Not a bad way to spend a Hamilton if you're a Palm lover.

[Via Palm InfoCenter]

Earth Trek launches curious all-in-one mobile stand

by Darren Murph posted Jun 3rd 2008 @ 12:04AM

Frustrated by the lack of a proper dock in your new cellphone's packaging? Fret not, as Hong Kong's Earth Trek has your best interests in mind. The all-in-one Mobile Stand enables your phone's LCD to be easily viewable while you're ~~trapped~~ toiling away in your cubicle, and it also triples as a USB hub / charger and multicard reader. There has yet to be a peep made concerning the price, but we are told to expect it in black and white motifs.

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

Luxury, meet ridiculous: the Mobiado Luminoso battery cover flash drive

by Nilay Patel posted Dec 14th 2007 @ 9:00PM

If you're carrrying around a Mobiado Luminoso cell phone, it's a safe bet you might be interested in Bissol's brass-encased 4GB flash drives -- so why not jack the ritz factor by combining them in Mobiado's new battery cover for the Luminoso, which features a storage / display compartment for the included drive? That's right -- Mobiado asked itself what its customers wanted, and came up with a custom battery cover that only holds an opulent brass flash drive. Damn, we knew we weren't exactly the target market, but you'd think they'd at least try to go quadband first.