NOTABLE GEAR

It’s hard to keep up with the vast number of accessories for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The amount of gear that is creative, useful, and interesting just keeps climbing, and it’s our job to bring you the highlights, so to speak. Here are some of the most notable accessories I’ve run across in the last couple of months.

iRig Mic

($59.99, ikmultimedia.com)

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iRig MicIK Multimedia’s iRig Mic is an awesome little mic that can hold its own in terms of audio quality and portability. It is perfect for recording speeches, music sessions, singing, and more. As a reporter, nothing says “I represent iPhone Life” more than interviewing someone with this mic plugged in to my iPhone. It comes with a free app, a mic clamp, and a leather carrying case.

LifeProof Case

($79.99, lifeproof.com)

LifeProof CaseI’m not going to lie; these cases are pretty intense. With this case, you get extreme protection against all the forces of nature. This case is waterproof, dirt proof, snow proof, and shockproof. No matter how many iPhone cases I try, I just keep coming back to this LifeProof Case. It makes my iPhone feel safe. I even asked Siri about it, and even though she came back with a witty remark, I could hear in her robotic voice that she felt safer too. You’d think that all the protection would make this case pretty bulky, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this isn’t so. It weighs less than an ounce and only adds 1/16th of an inch to your iPhone.

Bracketon Twist 360 iPad case

(29.95, bracketron.com)

Bracketron Twist 360This is a case specifically for the iPad 1. I’ve had it for some time, and I recently realized how consistently reliable and handy it has been. The handle on the back twists around for easy propping, and it even tucks away or comes out completely if you don’t need it. It’s nice sturdy protection for your first-generation iPad.

AluPen and AluCube

($39.95, xtand.net)

AlupenAndCubeThe team at Just Mobile has created this simple and elegant stylus and base from high quality, premium, solid aluminum. The AluCube has a soft rubber base, and the AluPen is a great companion to artists who need a little more precision with painting and drawing. The combo is useful, and it also makes a nice decorative piece.

Callet

($19.95, thecallet.com)

CalletThe Callet is one of those interesting products that tries to solve a problem you didn’t know you had. It’s a great idea, and the execution is almost as good as the idea. I found the Callet easy to carry, and it held by driver’s license, credit cards, and a couple of business cards without much effort. My only caveat with Callet is that the protection for the iPhone seemed a little flimsy. All in all, Callet is a cool way to simplify your life.

iWow 3D

($59.99, srslabs.com)

iWowIt’s amazing how a tiny accessory like the iWow 3D can make such a difference in sound quality. The iWow 3D enhances your device’s audio output with an immersive sound and a deep, rich bass. It easily plugs in and out of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The companion SRS iWow App (Free, app2.me/4252) features additional controls to adjust the bass, surround, and treble.

SGP Linear Cases

($24.99, sgpstore.com)

SGP Linear CasesThese SGP cases are stylish and offer a fairly good amount of protection. The cases are actually three parts: a top frame, a bottom frame, and a clear or colored back cover. The parts are interchangeable, which means you can play with some pretty cool color and style combinations. You can also just use the top and bottom frames without the back cover and go bumper style.

Issue: 
January-February 2012
Department/Section: 
Accessories
TOC Weight: 
25