My Fabulous iPhone Blog ~ tips & app reviews

External battery pack for iPhone and car charger

 

 I wrote recently about different steps to take with conserving battery life on the iPhone. Sometimes the situation arises however when you just need more juice and it may be a critical personal or business moment that requires you to be connected by phone or internet. I have two backup plans. One is the Belkin Dual Car charger which is great because it will charge the iPhone and one other USB device at the same time. It also does an 'express' charge which is really very fast. I like the 'dual' option because you could also have your ipod plugged in or even your GPS at the same time as feeding your iPhone. The second life saver is the Kensington external battery pack. While it appears a bit cumbersome what it actually does and does quite well is provide an emergency cordless charge when it is plugged into the bottom of the iPhone.

Kensington Mini Battery Pack for iPhone/iPod - $59.95AUD

Belkin Dual Auto Charger for iPod and iPhone $39.95AUD

What charging options do you use and are you happy with them?

Halo Headphones - quality sound in a headband

 

 

"They consist of specially designed high fidelity speakers that can be inserted into a comfortable headband. They sound great and feel fantastic. Halo Headphones can be used anywhere, whether you are walking, running or training at the gym. And because they are so comfortable, you can even wear them while sleeping!"

I have owned a pair of these for 4 months and find them extremely comfortable with good sound. I mostly wear them at night plugged into my iPhone so I can listen to self-hypnosis applications. I have yet to test them out for wearing while exercising but that is to come! Available in Australian stores or via an online shop at $49.95AUD. So far it seems as if the shop only has the black headband but I shall be writing to find out if you can order replacement bands in different colours as featured here.

via www.haloheadphones.com

Wishlist: Mophie Juice Pack for iPhone

 

Now I would really like one of these. It's a cover for the iPhone which doubles the unfortunately pathetic battery life we have come to know and put up with.

More info from Mophie website here. Have seen them advertised in Australia on MacStylez at a hefty $164.95 but they are 'temporarily out of stock'.  Does anyone have their hands on one in Australia for the 3G? Please let us know where you purchased if this is the case.

Griffin Air Curve: dock with decibels

 

Searching for a nice dock for my iPhone so it could have some kind of vertical life rather than horizontal I came across this exquisite piece from Griffin Technology - the AirCurve. Unfortunately the product is not for sale in Australia and if you ask in the Apple Stores about it you will almost certainly receive raised eyebrows of disbelief! I managed to secure one via Ebay however from the US and am very happy with it. I wouldn't quite agree that it sounds as if there are full size speakers in the room however the sound is good and the dock itself is very attractive - a good option for holding your iphone upright in the bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. I use it in the kitchen - listening to music or podcasts while I cook in conjunction with the built in alarm facility. No more overcooked pasta!

You are able to draw power/charge the iPhone by connecting the charge cable (make sure it is the iPhone cable and not an iPod cable - only the iPhone has the USB connector small enough to pass through the hole. Alternatively if your phone is fully charged go cable-free and take it where-ever you go! A very nice design from Griffin - a company to look out for.

US$19.99
AUD $29.99 (buy now from EBAY) + $10.00 postage