accessory

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

For those of you considering a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Honeycomb tablet over an Apple iPad 2, we have some good news and bad news.

The good news is that Samsung is offering accessories for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 that match Apple's offerings. There are cases that convert into stands, tactile keyboard, and even a charging dock with multimedia connections.

The bad news is that--just like Apple--Samsung's tablet includes just one universal dock connection that requires pricey adapters for the privilege of connecting to a TV or loading images from SD cards.

If you're curious … Read more

Sony Ericsson has just taken the wraps off its new Experience Pack, a hardware and software bundle designed specifically for the Xperia Play. The kit features the DK300 multimedia dock; a pair of cables (pocket USB, audio); and up to three games from Gameloft. In addition to charging the Xperia Play, the dock turns the phone into a desktop radio, alarm clock, and more.

The list of Gameloft titles isn't necessarily long, but some of the titles are impressive nonetheless. Each has been optimized to take advantage of the added hardware buttons found on the "PlayStation Phone" and will undoubtedly provide users with some of Android's best gaming controls. I've had a chance to play a couple of the games on other Android phones, so I can imagine that the Xperia Play will offer an even richer, more immersive experience.

Sony Ericsson hasn't listed a price for the Experience Pack, but I wouldn't put it much higher than $44.99 (if not less). Considering the dock retails for 19.99 British pounds, or approximately $32.88, and the games are typically $4.99 a piece, there wouldn't be much value in bundling things together otherwise. … Read more

As every iPhone owner knows, taking photos with the device can be a hassle. Unless you're looking straight into the screen and holding the phone with two hands, it's downright tricky to hit that tiny shutter-release button. And if you're trying to snap a self-portrait, forget about it.

With any luck, Apple will do something about that in iOS 5. Of course, there are camera apps that can snap a photo when you tap anywhere on the screen, but that's just not the same thing as pressing a physical shutter-release button.

Enter Red Pop, an iPhone 4 accessory that adds a big red camera button to the business end of your phone. It's currently in development--and its creators are seeking funding via Kickstarter. Here's the full scoop:… Read more

Compact cameras pretty much get shafted when it comes to straps and for good reason. Most people don't bother with a strap for small point-and-shoots and larger cameras typically have eyelets for attaching a neck strap. Neither of these are great for street photography, though, where speed and inconspicuousness matter.

The Sun Sniper Compact strap, on the other hand, keeps you from looking like a tourist. It's a sling strap that goes across your body putting the camera on your hip. This also puts it out of the way when you're walking around while still letting you … Read more

XtremeMac has taken the wraps off an interesting little $80 accessory called the InCharge Home BT that adds Bluetooth streaming capabilities to any speaker or audio device with a line input.

As you can see from the image, it also acts a USB charger and comes with USB to 30-pin connector for iOS devices (it won't charge the iPad, however) and a 3.5mm jack cable. What you can't see from the picture is that the unit plugs into the wall.

If you're looking for something like this for your car, fear not, there's also the … Read more

Updated May 16 with five new covers

When Amazon released its third-generation Kindle, it also put out its own line of cases, which dominate Amazon's top Kindle accessories list. But that hasn't stopped dozens of companies from selling various covers and accessories for the Kindle. In fact, there are so many to sort through, it's hard to figure out which ones are really good--and worth considering. And that's why we've tried to boil it down for you to just a handful of products.

Of course, when it comes to protective covers, everybody has their own … Read more

You have your high-tech smartphone paired to your high-tech ride. Now you want to make them work together and keep them working as safely and efficiently as they can. Sometimes there are high-tech solutions to enable that level of functionality, for example Bluetooth wireless connectivity, iPhone integration, or OBD-II interfacing technologies. However, in many cases, you may find yourself relying on good, old-fashioned low-tech solutions.

Jumper cables, cassette adapters, and tire pressure gauges--these are just some of the unsung heroes of the car tech world. These low-tech wonders have been around for much longer than the USB ports and touch-screen … Read more

Keyboards and iPads...good bedfellows? A perfect way to add laptop functionality to your tablet? Or, mere accessory silliness? It's a debate as old as the iPad itself, which means only about a year and a month. Still, for as useful and portable as the iPad is, there are always some--myself included, at times--who bemoan its lack of a real, physical keyboard. At least, I feel that way when all I have is my iPad and I want to get some serious writing done.

The Logitech Keyboard Case by Zagg for the iPad 2 is an update to last … Read more