Once upon a time I thought I would be very short of charging solutions for my iPhone 5 thanks to the switch to Lightning. Now, for various reasons, I have an abundance of Lightning cables, one might even say an overabundance. But they do lack variety, and that’s what a new line of charging accessories from Scosche aims to address. → Read More
Mophie is one of the most trusted names in iPhone and mobile backup batteries, and the company has finally debuted its battery case for iPhone 5. The Mophie Juice Pack Helium is around 13 percent thinner than the Air version released for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 (get it? Helium is lighter than air), and retails for $79.95 right now direct from the Mophie store. The cases should ship in time for… → Read More
Apple devices benefit from a huge, rich accessory ecosystem that means device owners can get stuff for their gear anywhere. A similar ecosystem is beginning to build up around the top devices from Android OEMs, but it still has nowhere near the reach and depth of Apple’s, and the market for Windows Phone 8 accessories is just getting started. And neither Google nor Nokia are helping things much. → Read More
You may not know this but I was an English literature major in college, so books are things I’m fond of. But I’m also a tech lover, so I generally read on either an iPad or a Kindle. Cases like the ones from San Francisco-based DODOcase represent a way to bridge those two worlds, and now you can personalize their products thanks to a custom case-building tool that DODOcase is introducing today. → Read More
The update cycle of consumer electronics can make a mess of your Kickstarter plans, but one new project that just launched is designed to provide a useful products that remains useful no matter what changes come down the road, in terms of modes of connectivity or hardware design. It’s the CompleteDock, and I had the chance to sneak a peek at an early, functional prototype at Disrupt SF this year. → Read More
I’ve seen a lot of iPad stands in my day. Comes with the territory. But only one has ever earned a regular place in my gadget bag and on my desk: A scrappy upstart from Kickstarter that made it to big box retail called the PadPivot. And now that device just got better, with an update that fixes its sole noteworthy weak spot. → Read More
Kickstarter is a place I regularly turn to for hardware accessories, mostly because I’m often bored by the safe bets being put out there by the general crop of hardware makers. But all too often lately, I find myself running into a problem, one that seems endemic to the Kickstarter way of doing things: accessories I back are often useless by the time they ship. → Read More
So it looks like a pita pocket. So what? If you’ve got a nice little wireless mouse for on-the-go gaming or productivity and don’t want it clattering around your bag, this thing sounds great. And it turns into a tiny mousepad! How can you say no? How, I ask you? Only $15 at Smartfish. Get one, even though it looks like robot food. → Read More
If you’ve ever looked around for an iPad case, you’ve probably checked out Dodocase. We like this solid, book-like case, and you probably would too. And now there’s a slightly new variety, a collaboration with J. Crew. The primary change appears to be a switch to a more canvas-like material. It’s for the iPad 2 only, so I’m left out of the party, sadly. You can order… → Read More
Do you spend a lot of time trying to attach your iPad 2 to the limbs of trees, or building elaborate towers on which to perch it? You, sir, could use an accessory stand from Joby to save yourself some trouble. We saw the original iPad flavor versions of these back at CES, and now they’ve done the adjustments to the design so you can get one for your iPad 2 as well. → Read More
I’m not a fan of the dual-stick touchscreen controls in iPad games. The analog stick simulation just isn’t very intuitive to me, plus my thumbs get sweaty. So getting a physical analog stick on there, which the Fling does for the iPad (or any tablet, really), seems like a natural thing to do. But on an iPhone? Apparently people were asking for it. Did they count on the sticks taking up… → Read More
We first saw the Hydra, then called the Sixense (after the company that originally developed it) back at CES 2010 almost a year and a half ago. I was impressed with it then, as it felt more natural and responsive than a Wiimote (what doesn’t now?), and used a genuinely different and powerful technology. It’s based on magnetic detection of the controller, instead of optical, and it felt great then… → Read More
We’ve always been impressed with Element Case; the build quality on their products is always outstanding. Sure, they’re expensive, but you’ve heard the phrase, “You get what you pay for.” Element Case hasn’t abandoned this notion, even for their new $150 iPad stand.
Which we are giving away. Details after the break. → Read More
These thick rubber things are called impactband(s). They have been proven to protect an iPhone from serious drop heights (video below). Sure they’re thick, but some people won’t mind considering a broken iPhone is very expensive to replace. These guys usually cost $25, but today is your day to try and get one for free. → Read More
The Magic Connector is a lot like the BulletTrain adapter. It creates a union between the Apple Wireless Keyboard and the Magic Trackpad, making it one single unit, except without the extra bulk.
Video after the break. → Read More
We haven’t heard about too many heat issues with the new slim Xbox 360, but for those who run the console 24/7 it may be worth looking into a cooling system. Nyko just recently announced their Intercooler STS system made exclusively for the slim Xbox. Thankfully, the system is smart and only runs when it needs to, keeping noise levels down. Power comes from USB and it looks like the unit blends… → Read More
This is pretty cool if you’re at all the type who puts stickers and graphics on your devices. Pick your device (iPad, Kindle 2 or 3, or Nook), add some pictures, patterns, text, and so on and you’ve got yourself a case like no other. As you can see, I’ve gone all Zelda on mine. → Read More
We did a little accessory roundup on the day of the iPad 2 announcement, but other companies were a little slow on the draw (or didn’t want to get buried) and their stuff is trickling out now. Belkin, maker of fine Mac accessories, has just dropped a bundle of cases and stands. Let’s take a quick look. → Read More
One thing we night owls know about working at night is that lighting is key. Too much or too little can cause some serious strain. That’s why people come up with versatile clip-on LED task lights like the Mantis. The Mantis lights up your workspace by clip mounting the light anywhere. You can also use it as a free standing unit. The Mantis has 11 LEDs in a sort of rocket ship looking case. → Read More
Looking to get a bit more zoom on the iPhone? Tired of pixelating your photos with the terrible digital zoom? Then check out this iPhone Telephoto Zoom over at Photojojo. It’s basically a case that attaches to an iPhone — Verizon compatible, too — that has a place to screw on an 8X telephoto lens for closeups. When you don’t need the zoom power, just unscrew the lens and use the case. Also, for… → Read More
We’ve been hearing about using fuel cells as batteries since fuel cells existed. So far, nothing too interesting has come out. But if you’re interested in getting in on the tech early, check out the Powertrekk. The Powertrekk is a fuel cell and rechargeable battery in one. Similar to those portable battery chargers, the Powertrekk can charge your devices over USB from energy stored either in the… → Read More
Every once in a while I get a hankering to burn through a few virtual quarters playing Samurai Shodown or Metal Slug X on a NEO-GEO emulator, but the truth is I get little satisfaction out of it when I have to use a keyboard. Sure, I could use my 360 controller, but it just feels wrong. No, to truly get the feel of the classics, you need an arcade stick. And this is probably the fanciest arcade… → Read More
When Nokia showed off their cell phone charger by pedal power concept, they underestimated the response from customers. Why wouldn’t it get popular? It makes a lot of sense: transferring human energy to a more efficient gear setup, a bicycle, and running electronics off it. The idea of using a bike to power electronics isn’t new, in fact, most bike lights years ago used this method. → Read More
I wasn’t convinced this particular project was worth its salt, but a little reflection convinced me. I don’t use Apple’s dainty little desk accessories — I always go back to a nice, meaty mechanical keyboard and high-performance mouse, because Apple’s keyboards are like toys and the trackpad is no good for gaming. But hey, some people like ‘em. The trouble is their naturally light and… → Read More
A quick “this exists” for your Monday morning. It’s a Nintendo 3DS Starter Kit, from Icon. The $20 kit contains a number of items to make your 3DS-ing all the more pleasurable come March 27 when the system is released. Rumor has it you’ll find a copy of Fernando Torres’ transfer request in there! (No you won’t.) → Read More
If you spend a lot of time at LAN parties, or maybe have a dorm room with its door constantly open, you might be a little nervous about someone making off with your sweet new hundred dollar mouse or headphones. This accessory for your case lets you lock them into your case, preventing them from being unplugged and nicked by unscrupulous LANgoers or undergrads. → Read More
Apple’s Magic Mouse has obviously inspired Japanese accessory maker Sanwa Supply: the Tokyo-based company is offering the MA-Touch1 [JP], a wireless mouse with a multi-touch enabled top shell. The main (technical) difference is that the Sanwa mouse doesn’t support Bluetooth but works via a wireless USB connection instead. → Read More
Looking for a good way to put down the high roller in your life? Get him a shinebox, so whenever he gets out of line, you can pull a Billy Batts, though hopefully without all the stabbing.
Seriously though, this is a nice-looking accessory for anyone who cares about their leather. → Read More
Looking for a good way to put down the high roller in your life? Get him a shinebox, so whenever he gets out of line, you can pull a Billy Batts, though hopefully without all the stabbing.
Seriously though, this is a nice-looking accessory for anyone who cares about their leather. → Read More
A few weeks ago, we pointed out this interesting little camera mod, the C-Loop, on Kickstarter. It’s a replacement for a regular-style camera strap that allows for free rotation of the camera, and may be more convenient for some shooters. I wouldn’t use it personally, but it’s a cool idea and a well-made little thing, so I’m all for it being on the market. And now it will be! → Read More
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