My mini review of essential iPhone 3GS accessories I have been using regularly for just over a month…
Case
A case or some form of protection for your iPhone is essential. After hours of searching and reading reviews, I purchased a SENA iPhone case.
It’s a vertical flip style case with an optional ( supplied ) belt loop attachment. I find the belt attachment particularly useful while I am working. The leather softened up nicely after a few weeks handling and it is now very comfortable. I also like the notebook style case from SENA, check out their line of cases:
http://www.senacases.com/Brands/Apple-iPhone-Cases
I don’t think there is such a thing as a perfect case for all situations.
Think how you will use the phone for the majority of time and select your case accordingly. Also think about the ease of removing the iPhone to dock or clean.
External Battery
If you look around the web you’ll find a great deal of hand wringing about the battery life/performance of the 3GS. Personally, I have had no problems. I manage about 1-2 days on a single charge, with what I consider to be fairly typical use. For more intensive use, you will need to charge it up more often or buy an external battery. I selected the Kensington Mini Battery Pack.
It is tiny in comparison to the phone, complementing it nicely. There are some great games available, and you can easily play them for hours at a time draining the battery. Popping this little battery pack into the docking port has allowed me to carry on playing without having to stop. Other times I have been unable to charge my phone, or simply forgot to do it, and grabbing this battery on the way out the door is a lifesaver.
It comes with a retractable usb charging lead and a little cap to protect the top of the battery when not in use. The led level display and indication is concise and informative. You can also charge the battery pack while its connected to the iPhone. Overall I am very impressed with it, and it’s not expensive. I purchased mine from the Apple UK store.
Link with details and specs…
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TS815LL/A
Car Charger
Self explanatory really. I purchased the Kensington Car Charger because it doesn’t stick straight out, it curves slightly and doesn’t get in the way of my gearstick. I also like it for the detachable USB lead, so I can use the charger to power other USB devices or use the lead to connect my iPhone to my computer.
Link with details and specs…
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TS941ZM/A
Portable Speaker Dock
I find this very handy to listen to podcasts, music or to simply charge my phone. After looking at every dock on the market, I found the i-Station Rotate made by Logic3.
I like it for the following reasons…
- It’s not too big and fits unobtrusively on my desk.
- Fully portable and works off batteries or the supplied external power adaptor.
- The iPhone is supported when docked.. it wont fall over over the back or out of the dock.
- The rotate function is cool and integrates the iPhone fully into the dock. Nice touch.
- The speakers are pretty good – ok, it’s not going to bring the roof tiles down, but it’s good enough for most listening needs.
- It charges my phone if the dock is on or not.
- It SMOOTHLY reduces the volume and stops playing music/podcast/video when a call is received. When I end the call the volume SMOOTHLY increases and continues.
- It has a remote control.. you have to point it right at it, but its functional.. handy when the land-line rings and you need to turn the volume down.
- Finally, the shielding inside is pretty good. There is no annoying mobile phone bleeping breaking into the speaker output.
I purchased mine on the high street from Currys.
So, there you have it, my essential iPhone accessories. I hope you found it useful, what are your essential iPhone accessories?
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