Cell phone accessories blog

Sweet headphones for music phones

If you own a cell phone with a music player built-in, the best way to take advantage of both capabilities is with a stereo headset. That is, a pair of headphones with an integrated mic and call-answer button.

Plenty of music phones offer stereo Bluetooth capability, which lets you take calls and listen to music through a headset without pesky wires getting in the way. But at this stage in the game, the sound quality is generally not going to be as good as what you can get through a decent wired set.

Better yet, wired headsets are often cheaper

Showstoppers: Wrist-ey business for toting gear

Ever find yourself bringing a purse along somewhere for the sole purpose of having a place to stash your cell phone and/or MP3 player? The Showstopper out of Australia offers a hands-free alternative in the form of a zippered wrist-worn pouch offered in enough styles that you can probably make it look like part of your outfit.

Creator Stacey Cole was tired of lugging around a hangbag to hold her essentials and didn't think her valuables were safe in her boyfriend's pocket (but that's their issue). Also, she didn't find the typical arm pouches, travel

Phone visor enables glare-free World Cup viewing

Here's a sweet idea from Orange Mobile for World Cup fans who want their soccer fix on the go, particularly in the sunny tropics where screen glare is always an issue outdoors. The U.K. company has created an online template for a visor that you can download and assemble to make your very own mobile phone shades. We'd suggest sticking the printout onto cardboard paper before assembling to get a stronger backing.

You can download the visor here (PDF), followed by the assembly instructions here (PDF).

(Source: Crave Asia)

Music-friendly accessories for cell phones

Convergence is in full-force for mobile devices, so it's no surprise that more and more users are forgoing standalone MP3 players in favor of using their cell phones for audio playback. Accessories manufacturers have been quick to catch on, too, churning out plenty of wired stereo headsets, Bluetooth headphones, and portable speakers for the mobile devices. If you're looking for a way to more fully enjoy the musical talents of your cell phone, check out the options we've rounded up below.

Vibrating Bluetooth bracelet gets call display

Missing calls? Maybe the ringtone or vibration on your phone doesn't cut it. Well, the gadget-mongers at Japan's Thanko have a new bracelet that not only vibrates when someone's calling--it displays their number.

The Bluetooth Bracelet is an improvement on the BluAlert Vibrating Bluetooth Wristband. The slender LCD panel displays the time, serving as a watch, as well as the caller's number when you get a call.

It sits right on your wrist, so you'll feel the vibration through your skin and bones if your phone is in your briefcase or pocket. It's more more

Nexus One Desktop Dock now available

, when the smartphone is docked, it will display the time, any alarm clock settings, and weather. In addition, you can view slideshows, and a 3.5mm-to-RCA audio cable is included if you want to connect the dock to your stereo and listen any music stored on your phone.

The Nexus One Desktop Dock, which will also charge your phone, is available from Google now for $45. You can buy it separately or bundled with the phone.

(Source: Engadget Mobile)

Verizon launches V Cast Media Manager

Verizon Wireless released new desktop software on Monday to help its customers better manage the media between their cell phones and computers.

Based on Smith Micro's QuickLink Media Software, V Cast Media Manager is available as a free download and lets you transfer photos, videos, and music from your phone to your PC via USB cable and provides you with tools for organizing, editing, and viewing the content. With the software, you can do such things as touch up photos, create slideshows, and rip and burn CDs. In addition, V Cast Media Manager can help you sync your multimedia more

Seesmic Twitter app lands in BlackBerry store

On Monday, Seesmic released an update to Seesmic for BlackBerry, a Twitter app that first debuted in late November.

Back then you had to download Seesmic from the company's Web site. Now you can get it directly from BlackBerry App World online or from the App World app on your smartphone.

Although Seesmic's interface is a bit light on features--like support for multiple accounts--it has added some enhancements that better integrate its Twitter app with the BlackBerry ethos. Chief among these are compliance with the BlackBerry's spell checker and auto-corrector, which will both help keep you from more

Skyfire mobile browser gets full-screen mode, Flash 10

The Skyfire mobile browser has gone through some dramatic design changes in the last year. The most recent version released on Wednesday continues to adjust Skyfire's visual composition--as well as its guts and performance--on Windows Mobile touch-screen and standard phones.

The changes to the navigation menu was the first thing we noticed when we booted up Skyfire 1.5 on an HTC Touch Diamond 2. Skyfire has replaced the Menu key and back button navigation with gray, balloon-like buttons that strike us as a hybrid of Opera Mobile browser and Internet Explorer Mobile. The back arrow, Home screen button, more

RedEye turns iPhone into full-on universal remote

For $188, you can convert your iPhone 3G/3GS and iPod Touch into a universal remote control with ThinkFlood's RedEye. This nifty gizmo comprises custom software that runs on Apple gear and an infrared blaster doubling as a charging dock.

RedEye operates through Wi-Fi and offers most high-end remote functions. These include activity-based macro programming such as "watch DVD," which fires a string of commands, learning capability for added product compatibility and Web-downloadable codes that keep your RedEye applications up-to-date.

RedEye's most unique propositions, however, are its multitouch gesture and accelerometer support. Instead of just tapping the soft more