We’ve seen accessory makers spill the beans on upcoming products before. In the Treo space, an accessory maker went so far as to put their demo unit on a convention show floor. There was also the “fatty nano” rumor that seems ludicrous right up until the moment that Apple released precisely what the accessory maker had leaked. Things on the iPhone side are, of course, quite a bit more hush-hush, so apparently what these accessory makers have is just some rough dimensions, according to iLounge:
Companies overseas have already started working on products for this one, which is basically the same size as the current iPhone, but has slightly different curves, coloration, and materials.
We also get confirmation of the tip-top “Black and basically the same” rumor. The glossy black plastic is apparently quite a bit fancier than what you’re imagining, and toss in a very slight taper across the back as well. A few slight adjustments to the location of the various sensors on the iPhone and the story looks pretty complete and pretty legit.
Oh, yeah, looks like color options besides black might be thrown into this heady mix of iPhone 3G stew as well. MMmmmmm ….HSDPA.
With so many traffic laws being passed regulating cell phone usage in your car, a Bluetooth headset is on the top of every cell phone owner’s mind. The Plantronics Discovery 665 is targeted as the ideal solution for those road warriors who have frequent and lengthy phone calls while on the road so that they can keep their hands and attention on the wheel.
The Plantronics Discovery 665 Bluetooth Headset ($69.95) is a slick looking Bluetooth headset that uses AudioIQ technology to enhance performance. Does the technology translate to real life success? Could this be the Bluetooth headset for commuters around the world?
You’ll have to read on for the rest of the review!
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The fourth annual iLounge 2008 Buyers Guide works for the iPhone and iPod, and is viewable online for smaller screens like the iPhone, iPod Touch, or laptops. If you prefer, for desktop viewing.
Verizon is lowering their data rates for feature phones in preparation for competition with the iPhone. Expect a snarky comment from Dieter on this one. Unfortunately, their smartphone data rates are still sky-high. And, you can add a Canadian roaming plan for just $20. The Phone they’re thinking about using to “compete” with the iPhone is the Samsung F700, though they might re-brand it as the U940. That’s some “brilliant marketing.” I don’t usually report on “iPhone killers,” but I’m glad to see the iPhone forcing prices down for everybody.
Rumors from AppleInsider indicate that iTunes 7.5 will be coming out in the next couple of weeks. This probably means that any iPhone updates with post-Leopard goodness require an iTunes update. This iTunes update will also bring support for the UK, German, and likely French iPhones. Oh, and it will include better duplicate song management. w00t!
Mark/Space, makers of many popular “Missing Sync” smartphone sync softwares, have announced their intent to release “Missing Sync for the iPhone” later this year. Their software will include Notes.app syncing, SMS backups, better call log management, and a migration tool to copy data from a BlackBerry, Palm OS, or Windows Mobile smartphone.
by Doug Morse
In the Beginning
Well, I thought I sit down this morning with my cup of tea and tell you about the Speck ToughSkin (store link, $29.95). Due to errands and just plain procrastination, the tea is cold. Anyhow, that’s enough about the start to my day and on to the review because things are certainly looking up. The Spec ToughSkin is a two part solution. The first is a ‘ruggedized’ silicon layer that fits snuggly around your iPhone. Then there is a plastic holster attached to a belt clip. The entire iPhone case can be plunked into the holster clip on your belt. This is, in theory, a best of both worlds scenario, or as Speck puts it ‘best case’ scenario. So I’ll start with the silicon case itself.
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by Doug Morse
Well, the bad news is that I just got a letter from Sprint. Suffice to say that I’m still going to be out three hundred bucks to cancel my contract. A wrong decision a year ago is going to cost me an additional couple hundred that I didn’t need to lose. I thought about calling them to try to sort it all out, but I realized I’d waste a couple hours on the phone with their customer service when instead I could be writing this fine review and getting paid a little something for it. Then I could call it all a wash. Just a bit of warning: Sprint offered me an additional 10% discount to up my contract for two years more a while back (this was before the iPhone was on the horizon). Unfortunately, it knocked out a 5% discount I already had. Net gain 5%. I may dash off a quick letter, but I think even that may be a waste of time.
So instead of wasting my time with Sprint, let’s move on to Apple and AT&T’s wonderful iPhone and Mobi Products Protector Case (store link, $19.95). Important things first: this comes in Smoke, Clear, Red and Pink, though studying all of the pictures, all of the cases are translucent. I received the Smoke version, which to my taste is neither here nor there. That said, it does seem to be the best of the options.
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Amidst yesterday’s news of iPhone Dev Team’s successful jailbreak into firmware 1.1.1, came evidence that Apple and Nike are working to bring iPod Nike+ Sport Kit to iPhone. A text string located deep in the bowels of the firmware’s .plist file mentions Nike+ as a supported accessory.
Soon joggers will be running along sidewalks with iPhones on armbands. And I’ll be ready and waiting to trip them as they pass me by. Damn joggers!.
by Doug Morse
My iPhone came well in advance of the computer. So for nearly ten days, I had an attractive looking paperweight. Meanwhile, a box full of accessories went to a different address — I was on vacation you see — so I couldn’t do much except stare at the iPhone box. Finally, I figured I would activate the iPhone on a different computer – though there is a danger to this madness. When I finally synched it to my home computer, I’d essentially be ‘wiping’ the iPhone and starting anew. Still, I had a working iPhone for a couple of days before the device and accessories were united.
Like a giddy young girl headed to the prom, my iPhone looked at the box of accessories. Cases, screen protectors, sync and charge cables, even a fancy Motorola Bluetooth headset were ready to take her out. The question of course: what to wear. Well, the one screen protector was a no-brainer. No one wants to get damaged on a night out. The sync and charge cable was a simple retracting affair. No, it was the cases that posed the most difficulty. There were three soft rubberized cases in pink, brown (yuck), and blue. Two semi hard cases, and a Tough Skin Sport by Speck. And the prettiest of the lot was an executive deep red leather case. For whatever reason, I was attracted to the light blue bad-boy-sounding Marware Sport Grip (store link, $14.95).
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A reader informs me that Shure’s new line of SE earphones is fully iPhone compatible right out of the box. Apparently Shure is bundling iPhone jacks with each model in this series, eliminating the need to purchase a separate $50 adapter.
A thoughtful touch considering these earbuds start at well over $120. Shure earphones rock, by the way. Totally!
[Thanks to Michael for the tip]
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I don’t wear protection…on my iPhone. But if these crystal cases from 360 are as sick looking as photos portray, I may have to change my policy. These amazing looking clear plastic cases are available in an array of jaw dropping color patterns, priced at $19.99. For just a few bucks more, $24.99 to be exact, you can design your own color pattern.
Pretty sweet, I think. Anyone out there own one? Let us know your impressions.
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Parenting can be an unwelcome distraction from the things you enjoy most in life…such as your iPhone. Now you can spend even more recreation with your precious gadget by turning your kid’s chest into a giant home screen, complete with icons. iPodMyBaby will attire your child in iPhone lust for just $17.95. These adorable Baby jumpers serve a dual purpose; controlling your childs potty habits and showing the world who you really love most…your iPhone.
Like the real thing, each icon performs a specific function. Bodily functions in this case. Make junior eat, poop, sleep, urinate, and other fun filled activities with just one touch. Create clever combo functions, like dance-poop, eat-nap, and my all time favorite; hug-pee. Spend hours recklessly controlling your child until Child Protective Services finally intervenes to free him from tyrannical grasp.
Hello, CPS? Daddy needs a timeout.
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