Accessories

I've had a SCOTTeVEST jacket for several years now and have found it increasingly useful. As the airlines get more stingy about luggage and even carry-ons, it makes sense to try to keep your gadgets on your person when traveling. Plus, I attend a lot of trade shows, including the upcoming CES in Las Vegas, and I like to carry a lot of items, including business cards, battery packs, chargers, and USB cables—not to mention my iPhone and iPad mini. SCOTTeVEST's travel jacket with hidden pockets can handle all that, and more.

CES, the Consumer Electronics Show of the year is upon us. Already we’re seeing awesome products from new companies and new products from awesome companies. Fitbit, the wearable tech company, took this opportunity to announce its new smart wearable ‘Blaze’ with a square face and touch screen display. Like an Apple Watch, the Fitbit Blaze ($199.95) will be able to alternate between different bands, but per Fitbit’s standard, the watch will focus on fitness tracking. However, it will also receive Smart Notifications such as calls, text messages, and calendar events.

There are earbuds and then there are earbuds. The free ones that come with your iPhone fall into the "you get what you pay for" category. And then there are the Marine Waterproof Noise Control Earbuds with Mic ($79.99) from ToughTested. They aren't cheap, at $80, but again, you get what you pay for. They offer a ton of features that may not appeal to everyone; but if you are looking for the right pair for underwater earphone adventures, these are the waterproof headphones to get. 

Brilliant to some, narcissistic to others, the man who styles Beyonce to look flawless invented an iPhone case to help you do the same. Fittingly named after himself, the Ty-Lite protective iPhone case lights up like a classic dressing room mirror providing studio lighting for your front-facing camera. Unlike the dressing room mirrors of the past with old, fluorescent lighting the Ty-Lite case features LED lights with three different settings such as ‘warm’ and ‘brilliant’.

It's hard to believe that after all these years, someone could reinvent a USB cable and leave me impressed. But that's exactly what Lander did with its Neve Lightning Cable ($29.99). Lander paid a lot of attention to the pet peeves of most users. The cable is remarkably thin and while I've seen flat cables before and I've seen fabric braided cables before, I've never seen one cable that is both flat and covered with braided fabric. The result is a tangle-free, comfortable cable with an attractive design. It's one of the best lightning cables out there. 

I’m an iPhone case junkie. Instead of changing my purse or nail color, I love finding a new iPhone case to suit my ever-evolving personality. Recently, 1byone sent me its Natural Wood Case for iPhone 6s or 6s Plus ($9.99) with oil painting color. When I requested the item, I was impressed by the low price point, and now that I’m using it, I’m even more satisfied. The case is true to its picture, with beautiful wood grain peaking through the splashes of color.

Funded on Kickstarter, the Canvas Smart Desk ($68) by iSkelter is a gorgeous and functional lap desk for tablets. With notches for your devices carved out, this lap desk is made of beautiful, unstained wood. The Canvas Smart Desk is compatible with all devices, but you’re especially going to want it if you have an iPad Pro. The open slot of the lap desk is cut to fit the iPad Pro perfectly and there’s a slot for the Apple Pencil as well.

I love my devices, and I hate when protecting them makes me look... unstylish. Big bulky cases and thick padded bags aren't what I want to carry around every day; but seriously, you need to protect your devices! They're expensive and so easy to drop. Here are some of my favorite products that I use to protect my devices—thin, protective, and stylish. You don't need to compromise.

It’s amazing the products you find available for the iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch when you delve into the Internet rabbit hole. A friend recently sent me to a website called Fancy for finding lesser-known gadgets at good prices. Needless to say, I found a lot of awesome gifts, whether you buy them for friends and family or to treat yourself. Featuring gifts that range from the practical to the whimsical, here’s my roundup of great gifts for the Apple lover in your life.

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