accessories

When I bought my iPad 2, I noticed immediately that the perfect case for my new iPad might not resemble what I bought for my old one. I was a big fan of Apple's microfiber case for my original iPad. However, like many iPad 2 owners, I bought a Smart Cover. I like its magnetic easy on/off flexibility, but it doesn't play nicely with many iPad 2 cases.

That's starting to change now, thankfully. The Smart Cover offers front protection, but what I was looking for was a good back protector. It seemed to me that a good back cover, plus the Smart Cover, would the best case scenario for the iPad 2.… Read more

Look, ma, no hands! Also, no tape, no straps, no Velcro, and no magnets. A new Kickstarter project is raising funds for a device called The Move that magically attaches your iPhone or iPod Touch to your clothing.

The idea behind The Move is one of those why-didn't-I-think-of-that inventions. Place The Move behind your clothes. Set your iPhone on the outside of your clothes and push it into place. It acts like a hidden case that embeds the iPhone snugly into your shirt.… Read more

First it was iPod docks. Then computer speakers and over-the-ear headphones. Now Bowers & Wilkins, a brand once known for expensive high-end speakers, is further expanding into the mainstream with a set of $179.95 C5 in-ear headphones.

Along with touting the C5's "pristine, natural audio," B&W is highlighting the earphones' signature design trait, the Secure Loop, "an ingenious innovation where a cushioned loop fixes quickly and comfortably in the inner ridge of the user's ear." The company adds that the Loop is "infinitely adjustable, so it works perfectly with anyone's ears.

The C5 comes with a Made For iPhone-compatible cable, which allows you to make calls, and a quilted pouch. For more specs, you can go to the C5's product detail page.

The C5 earphones will be available in August for $179.95 (U.S. & Canada). We'll let you know what we think of them as soon as we get our hands on a set. We're particularly interested in trying out that Secure Loop. … Read more

My time with the Accessory Power GoCharge Power Pack has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. When the device landed on my desk, I dismissed it as a basic 12-volt to USB adapter. However, closer inspection revealed some very interesting secondary features that are worth highlighting. Unfortunately, once I started looking closely, I discovered a few build quality issues that quickly quenched my excitement.

In the box, you'll find the GoCharge unit itself, an AC to USB power adapter, a Mini-USB cable, and a Micro-USB cable.

The GoCharge has about the same footprint as a business card (… Read more

Tired of tangled earbuds? Of course you are; they're one of life's biggest hassles, right up there with newspaper ink that gets on your fingers and highway traffic jams that seem to happen for no reason.

The iAngle is a triangular cord-wrap designed to keep earbud cords neat and tangle-free.

But it also serves a second purpose: to prop up your iPhone, which is great for watching movies, hands-free FaceTime chats, reading your favorite blogs at the breakfast table, and so on.

I love double-duty gizmos like this. The U.S.-made iAngle works with all iPhone and iPod Touch models and comes in black, blue, green, pink, and white.… Read more

Back in 2009, we reviewed the $300 Mix iMT800, a modern iPod/iPhone speaker dock with the look and feel of an old-school, crank-it-till-your-ears-bleed boom box. Now Altec's updated that portable speaker system with some small tweaks--the new model is known as the Mix BoomBox iMT810. Since the two systems are so similar, a lot of this review will sound the same as the review for the older model. But let's start with the differences. Here's what the new iMT810 has versus the previous system.… Read more

While I don't understand why you'd want to do it, other than because you can (and a desire to be able to say in your Flickr stream that you did), you can now attach Canon and Nikon lenses to your iPhone. Photojojo, a source of photo-accessory awesomeness, grants your wish with the $190 iPhone SLR Mount.

It's an idea that's easy to mock, especially given Photojojo's suggested photo of it with a huge Canon lens attached, but it might not be quite so laughable with a pancake prime or Lensbaby. Or if it were a … Read more

You can have your iPhone, iPod, or iPad in any color you want--as long as it's black. Or white. So what happens if you want to dress up your device, to give it a dash of style? Or even just a dash of color?

There are plenty of jazzy-looking cases, of course, and if you really want to get funky, you can always choose a decal from an outfit like Skinit.

But if all you want is a small, simple, unique bit of flair, look no further than the Touch Me Button Stickers. Available in three styles, these cute little numbers fit over your iDevice's Home button--meaning they're compatible with all iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches.… Read more

There seem to be a lot of camera-related projects coming out of Kickstarter.com, though most are for use with the iPhone 4 (including one of my favorites, the olloclip). The Capture camera clip system is one of the few for use with a regular camera, allowing you to quickly and securely attach your camera--regardless of size or weight--to any belt or strap.

It's not so much that I want to walk around with a large camera strapped to my hip, but to be able to go hands-free fast and without the camera swinging around would be very nice. … Read more