When the iPhone first came out, it was a pretty big jump from what phones were like at the time. It was considered a huge touchscreen (with a huge lack of buttons, except for home, volume and power). Most people fell immediately in love. But others just couldn’t get past the fact that it lacked any form of a physical keyboard.

Most took it upon themselves to let their imaginations run wild, and whenever that time of the year came for a new iPhone, there would be endless numbers of rendered mock ups showing the Apple device with a keyboard. If you were one of those who pined for a hardware QWERTY, then your dreams may have just come true. It may not be built in, but it’s possibly the next best thing.

This weekend Nuu showed off an interesting accessory at this weekend’s IFA show in Berlin — The Nuu Mini Key for the iPhone 4. (It’s a nice little keyboard that actually reminds me of the one on T-Mobile’s yet-to-be released G2, but without the staggered keys.) It connects to your device via Bluetooth, to let you hammer out those long, drawn-out emails that otherwise would be a pain to type up on a display alone.

Right now it’s just a prototype, and the design could change a lot before we seen the finished result. But I wouldn’t mind seeing the accessory in stores just as it is now. Surprisingly the keyboard doesn’t look like it adds that much bulk, at least according to the pictures, and that’s definitely one thing I want to avoid.

From the images, people are supposing that it opens like a clamshell keyboard, but from what I can see, this looks more to me like a slide out keyboard that angles up. None of the pics seem to offer definite proof of which type of design it really is. What do you think? If you can shed some light on the subject, weigh in below at the comments.

Via: MobileMag
Photo: Via Engadget

We don’t celebrate Labor Day in the U.K., but here’s one in honor of this American holiday weekend and its loads of social gatherings anyway.

Ever found yourself with a bottle of your favorite drink in hand, thinking “I wish my phone could open this”? Well, feast your eyes on this new case, appropriately named “iBottleOpener.”

The 3G/3GS hardshell case slides on to protect your device, and features a bottle opener on the back. If your iPhone wasn’t the life of the party already, it will be now. That’s if you want to pass it around to open people’s bottles all night…

The iBottleOpener is available on their website for $19.95, with a version for the iPhone 4 on the way very soon.

That case better be super strong (as in made of steel or Kryptonite) to protect the phone inside through cracking open countless cold, icy ones — especially the model designed for Apple’s glass device.

What do you think? Cool tool to have at a barbecue or a lame, scary gimmick? Any of you brave enough to try one of these?

Do you know Pogoplug? It’s a cute little network storage device, seemingly geared for “the rest of us.” It’s cute and pink, and promises to make file sharing idiot-proof, which is a welcome aspect for the productivity-minded, but techno-phobic.

Just a couple days ago, the company announced what would’ve been exciting news not too long ago — in addition to two new products (a wireless extender and a business-level solution), Pogoplug has a new firmware update allows for wireless iOS/Android printing to HP and Epson printers.

Sound familiar? It should. Wireless printing was a major point of Steve Jobs’ presentation at Wednesday’s music event, when he waxed ecstatic about the iOS 4.2 preview.

Too bad for Pogoplug. I’m sure there would’ve been a lot more interest had this come out earlier. At least they have until iOS 4.2’s November launch to market this to people who simply can’t wait that long. And it remains to be seen if Apple’s version of wireless printing works from anywhere (or if users need to be within the same wireless network); at least the Pogoplug device lets mobile users print from anywhere.

The fact that it’s going for some reasonable prices may further help prompt sales. The company dropped its retail price from $129 to $99. And on Amazon, it’s going for the ridiculously low price of $48. Fifty bucks for a gadget that offers no-fuss, no-muss file sharing and iOS wireless printing right now? Hey, that’s actually not a bad deal.

Via: MobileContentToday, Pogoplug Blog

Remember the good old days when you would beg your parents for a ride down to the arcade? I remember spending endless hours running around from Pacman to Asteroids, and then to the best of them all — the pinball machines. If I’d never spent all those quarters, I would definitely be a rich man today. But it was always money well spent.

Well now you can save yourself some coins. New Potato Tech has a new little accessory for your iPhone that transforms the device into your very own pinball machine. At $39.99, this “gaming case” offers a very realistic feel to the original arcade games. In addition, you’ll need the Pinball Magic app, which requires iOS 3.0 or higher.

By connecting your iPhone or iPod Touch to the 30-pin connector, the device’s screen serves as the playing field for the virtual silver ball that rolls around, trying to avoid slipping past the rubber flippers. And to make things even better, you can also tilt the “machine,” thanks to the iPhone’s accelerometer, and buzz out “TILT” warnings.

Other features of the game include:

• Multiple classic and unique playboard layout
• Advanced multi-level and multiplayer competition
• Four possible multi-ball modes
• End-of-ball and replay bonuses
• Ball saver

Here is New Potato Tech’s own description:

Get ready for iPhone and iPod touch entertainment that’s in a class by itself! The Pinball Magic [app]cessory creates realistic and engaging gameplay, bringing classic pinball machine cabinet design and fun to iPhone and iPod touch. Pinball Magic, just like the classic cabinets (only smaller), works with the free Pinball Magic app to create a portable arcade experience, complete with flipper buttons and ball-launching plunger.

Even though the accessory has not been released yet, the website states that it will be ready for August 2010. It seems they may miss their own deadline unless they decide to let the buying commence at 11:59 pm tonight.

All I know is that I’m going to be spending endless hours hunched over on my desk once I get this nifty little accessory for myself. What about you guys? Ever wanted to own your own pinball machine? Or do you still prefer the atmosphere of your local arcade?

Via: NewPotatoTech

Since the dawn of the original iPhone, battery life has been an issue. For those of you who are constantly on the move, emailing, chatting and browsing all day could leave you with a dead phone before your work was done. Since you can’t remove an iPhone battery, buying a spare has never been an option. Many manufacturers released battery packs, but pretty much all of them added way too much bulk to your handset, meaning pocketing them was not a comfortable experience.

Mili, the manufacturer of PowerSpring 4 now claims to have solved all your problems. The key thing here is thickness. The PowerSpring 4 is 18.0mm thick, essentially doubling your iPhone 4′s size. However, the iPhone 3G/3GS is 12.3 mm thick, but having a curved back meant it didn’t feel so clunky. If we do the math, an iPhone 4 with a PowerSpring battery pack attached is only 5.7mm thicker than a 3G/3GS with no case attached. This makes the iPh4 much more pocketable, juice pack and all. I can definitely see myself using something like this. It’s for sale on Amazon for $80, not a bad price point at all.

Product Specs:

Capacity – 1600 mAh
Charging time – 4 hours
Standby time – up to 360 hours
Talk time – up to 6 hours on 3G, 13.3 hours on 2G
Internet use – up to 6 hours on 3G, 10.1 hours on Wi-Fi
Audio play – up to 36 hours
Video play – up to 10.6 hours
Dimension: 124 x 65 x 18mm

It looks pretty swish too with its curves and simple design, check it out:

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Via: Mili

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Edited to correct typo. (Thanks, @James!)

At first, I thought the iPad’s inherent lack of stand was a flaw. Back when this was a rumored device, I must’ve harbored some sort of subconscious fantasy that Apple would include a kickstand in the tablet, not unlike the HTC Evo’s built-in wonder.

Who was I kidding? There was no way Cupertino was going to go against its minimalistic design ethos. Not just that, but it would’ve curtailed the blossoming niche accessories market of dedicated iPad stands.

Now I’m kind of happy that the tablet didn’t come with one. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have cute little items like this to spend our money on.

Imagine just throwing this little PadFoot into your bag as a portable stand. PadFoot is a piece of polyamide that weighs just 15 grams, but still holds up that iPad like a champ in both portrait or landscape. And if you’re typing on a flat surface, it’s a no-brainer for propping up the tablet (under the top half) for some stability.

Dare I say, it’s even more minimalist than the Joule iPad stand (below)? No doubt, that $129 stand is way more of a stunner, but at least the Padfoot is lighter and cheaper, at $30.

Joule is beautiful — but expensive ($129)

The only real downside of the PadFoot is not the elementary nature of its design, but the price tag. At $10, even $20, it would have been a no-brainer. But $30? That’s a bit steep for what you get, in my opinion. For just 10 bucks more, you can get the gorgeous and completely collapsible Compass Stand for $40. As a portable iPad holder, it tops my list.

I’m still searching for a stationary product to use at home. I’m looking for one that’s stable and good-looking, but features a rotating or pivoting feature, for landscape and portrait views, while also being able to accommodate a charging cable (without junking up the sleek, pretty looks of my device). So far, the $50 HexaPose Stand is looking somewhat promising, if a bit chunky.

What iPad stand do you use? Or do you have your eye on a different one? We’re coming up with an iPad essentials list, so weigh in with your thoughts in the comments, for possible inclusion in an upcoming post.

Via: Gizmodo, Shapeways

This accessory had me at hello. For years, I’ve been waiting to see the iControlPad go from concept to prototype to actual production. Now, I’m finally getting my wish.

The news broke this week that the gaming peripheral has finally made it onto the assembly line. The product houses an iPhone and jacks in via the dock connector, to offer more robust gaming controls — like a hardware D-pad, jump/fire buttons and mode selection — than the touchscreen alone can offer. Best part? It’s not limited to a specific iPhone model. The iControlPad will offer swappable components to fit different versions, and plans are in the works to support handsets from different platforms via USB.

The first iControlPad straight from the factory, shown here on an iPhone 2G

The first run of products from the Britain-based company will be limited, to just 3,000, so you can bet this will go fast. Orders haven’t opened yet, but developer Craig Rothwell promises it will be soon. (Expected to be around mid-September.) To find out as soon as it happens, click to follow his Twitter feed. For more information or to connect with others about the iControlPad, check out the company’s forums.

Will this long-awaited product close the gap between smartphone and handheld gaming console? The long conception and prototyping stages certainly seem to suggest a very well thought–out final release model. And developer tools are being pushed out, which is also a great sign; it means there will be apps that take advantage of the controls. Hopefully with all that behind it, functionality will be as good as it looks. We’ll know for sure next month.

So far, the indications seem pretty good to us. What about you? Is this going be enough to turn our favorite smartphone into a worthy Nintendo DS competitor? Check out the video below, on the design/evolution of the iControlPad, and then let us know your thoughts below.

Via: OpenPandora Board thread, Engadget

I have a love/hate relationship with reflective screen protectors. To me, it’s just an intrinsically wacky product category. The problem starts with its fundamental reason for being — to turn the iPhone screen into a mirror. That’s great for applying makeup, scoping out the scene behind the user, or sporting something slick and vaguely futuristic. But forget viewing photos, vids, texts, phone calls, or anything else the smartphone is actually intended to feature. All you can see is yourself reflected in the display.

Poor quality films are even worse. They bubble up, move around or flap out the corners — resulting in air pockets, lint or even creases that further obscure the display. In a problematic product category, however, my favorites have been from Speck and iSkin. I find that they offer decent quality and easy application. But now, I may have a new favorite to add to the top of the list.

I got a press release from Green Onions Supply (the U.S. branch of ROTA America Inc.) about its new product, the Mirror Back Protector for the iPhone 4. This gives me plenty of “happy” for one simple reason: Just as the name suggests, the reflective side goes on the back. And why not? The new iPhone has no curves or other physical impediments that get in the way. It’s just flat, making it the perfect surface for a mirror (which, I may add, is pretty handy for taking self-portraits with the higher-res rear camera).

So simple, so brilliant: The Green Onions Supply Mirror Back Protector for the iPhone 4

Sure, you could buy a full set of reflective films for the front and back, and then use half of it — there are plenty of those around, like the Ideal Case screen protector and others. But why pay for a front piece you’re not using?

This Mirror Back Protector is just the rear reflective sheet, which you can pair with an anti-glare, privacy, or clear front film (sold separately). The backing itself was designed not to block that precious Apple logo, and the company kept the depth super slim, so it can still guard against scratches without getting in the way of the Bumper cases.

Of course, if you still want to see your lovely mug looking back at you from the front of your phone, Green Onions Supply makes a Mirror Film Set, which has a clear back and mirrored front, as well as other screen protectors for various iPhone models.

No pricing or specific availability has been published yet (though it will hit retailers sometime this month). I can’t wait to get my hands on this. If the final cost is reasonable, and it really doesn’t get mucked up with a case on, then this product is going to shoot up to the top of my must-have list.



If you take a look at the phones in Asian markets, you will see a lot of interesting things, and phones with dual SIM card slots happen to be one of them. (Imagine being able to alternate between T-mobile and AT&T SIM cards, depending on your coverage area!) Unfortunately, the iPhone 4, with its MicroSIM card, doesn’t even have a single full-sized one to begin with.

But luckily, USBFever has a solution: a new clear plastic case that allows for dual SIMs! Just use the adapter with cable to hook up two cards, and then store them in the back of the case. Now you can switch between them in the iPhone’s standard settings menu. Sadly, you can’t use both SIM cards at once to get amazing coverage that would look something like this:

Imagine if you could use your iPhone with more than just one carrier. You'd be covered virtually everywhere in the U.S.

The accessory costs $30, not including any fees associated with an extra SIM. To learn more about it, hit up USBFever.

What do you think? Cool idea or useless novelty? Your comments are appreciated below.

Via: Engadget

How well do anti-glare screen protectors really work? Can they help with visibility, or do they just dull the display? Watch as Jake puts the Power Support Screen Protector on his iPhone 4 to find out.