The Gadling gift guide for the iPhone and iPad traveler

by Scott Carmichael on

Shopping for iPhone or iPad accessories is never easy – unlike any other device on the market, the assortment of extras for Apple devices is just insane. Whether you need an iPod toilet paper dispenser, or one of over 1000 different types of headphone, you’ll never run out of options.

So, we are here to help, and share some of the best products we’ve come across in 2010. There is something for everyone in this list. Got something better you use with your iPhone or iPad? Leave a comment, and share your favorite product with the world!

Soundmatters foxL speaker

Why? You’ll have a hard time finding anything that sounds this good without investing in a massive home theater system. This compact battery powered Bluetooth speaker is simply amazing.

Review: April 19, 2010

Product page: Soundmatters foxL

Price: $199

Jawbone Icon Earwear

Why? Top notch sound, noise cancellation, Bluetooth music and apps. Bluetooth headsets don’t get much better than this.

Product page: Aliph Jawbone

Price: $99

Product review

Mophie Juice Pack Reserve

Why? Power boosting battery pack small enough for on your key chain. Built in LED flashlight.

Product page: Mophie

Price: $39.95

Review: September 16, 2010

Creative Labs Bluetooth speaker

Why? Compact room filling Bluetooth audio. Can be powered off AC or batteries

Product page:Creative D100 Bluetooth speaker

Price: $79.99

Joby Gorillamobile for iPhone 4

Why? Multi-functional case lets you use it as camera tripod, movie mount and more.

Product page: Joby Gorillamobile for iPhone 4

Price: $39.95

XtremeMac 3-in-1 Microdock

Why? The smallest portable speaker and alarm clock you’ll find for your iPhone. Install the (free) XtremeMac Alarm Clock app and you can forever forget about lousy hotel alarm clocks.

Product page: XtremeMac 3-in-1 Microdock

Price: $59.99

Scosche motorMouth II

Why? The smallest Bluetooth hands-free system in the world. Stream Bluetooth stereo music and phone calls to your line-in equipped car radio.

Product page: Scosche motorMouth II

Price: $79.99

Scosche sneakPEEK II

Why? The Schosche sneakPEEK II is the only 2-in-1 iPhone/iPad video cable on the market. In a single cable, you get component and composite outputs.

Product page: Scosche sneakPEEK II

Price: $59.99

Otterbox Defender Series iPad case

Why? Because your iPad isn’t designed to battle the elements, Otterbox steps in to help. The Otterbox Defender series cases for the iPad protects it from all corners, plus its rear cover slides off to protect your screen.

Product page: Otterbox Defender Series

Price: $89.95

Gelaskins

Why? Gelaskins protect your device, and offer thousands of different designs. Their 3M adhesive material provides a barrier against scratches, while keeping your device looking cool.

Product page: Gelaskins

Price: from $14.95

V-Moda Vibrato Remote headphones

Why? Good looks and good price, without sacrificing sound quality.

Product page: V-Moda Vibrato remote

Price: $129.99

Urbanears headphones

Why? Instead of radical new designs, Urbanears sticks to great old school designs with superb audio quality.

Product page: Urbanears

Price: from $40

Case-Mate cases

Why? Because Case-Mate designs some of the best looking cases on the market. Plus, if you don’t like their designs, you can design and submit your own.

Product page: Case-Mate

Price: from $24.99

Bioserie cases

Why? It isn’t easy being green, but these cases sure can help. Instead of plastics, Bioserie cases are made of a plant based matter, and are fully bio-degradable.

Product page: Bioserie

Price: from $29.95

Kensington PowerBack iPad case

Why? Protection, power and sound from a single case. The PowerBack features a powerful built in battery pack, amplified speakers and a kickstand.

Product page: Kensington PowerBack

Price: $129.99

Dexim P-Flip

Why? Nightstand and movie stand plus a battery pack in a single product. Brilliant and compact.

Product page: Dexim P-Flip

Price: $69.90

iMainGo X

Why? Rechargeable sound for on the go. Access to the touch screen of your iPhone, even when it is inside the case. Speakers can be daisy-chained for massive volume.

Product review

Product page: Portable Sound Labs

Price: $69.95

Grace Eco Extreme

Why? Going to the pool or beach no longer means you need to leave your iPhone or iPod behind. Loud, clear music from a waterproof amplified case.

Product review

Product page: Grace Eco Extreme

Price: $49.95

Griffin PowerDuo Reserve

Why? Wall, car and battery power from a single product. Never find yourself with an empty battery again.

Product review

Product page: PowerDuo Reserve

Price: $59.99

Future Sonics Atrio Special Edition

Why? Better sound than you’ve ever heard from a pair of headphones. Pricey, but not insanely expensive given how great the sound.

Product review

Product page: Future Sonics

Price: $229

Griffin Travel Stand

Why? An all-in-one case that acts as a movie watching stand and a headphone case.

Product review

Product page: Griffin Travel Stand

Price: $14.99

2010 Holiday shopping: start of the new tablet era?

by Scott Carmichael on

Long before we start with our first batches of 2010 Holiday gift guides, and spend countless hours picking the best gear of the year – a trend is appearing in the mobile device world. Tablets are here, and they are going to be big.

The foundations for this new trend were laid when Apple announced the iPad earlier this year. Ever since that announcement, they have been selling them faster than they could produce them. Like a lot of what Apple does, the competition is paying attention. Before the end of the year, stores will be offering tablets from some of the largest brand names in the world.

Yesterday’s big news came from book Goliath Barnes & Noble who unveiled the Nook Color – a $249 Android powered ebook/tablet hybrid. In October, Samsung will start selling the 7″ Tab with 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity.

At Best Buy stores, you’ll soon find a $299 Huawei Android powered tablet and earlier this month, Dell launched their first compact Android tablet – priced at $299 (on a two year AT&T agreement). Even Blackberry joined the fun with the announcement of their PlayBook tablet.

While none of these tablets will probably come close to chipping away at the massive success of the Apple iPad, they do show that tablets are here to stay – and that is one development I’m really excited about.

In recent years, we already saw our luggage load decrease with the arrival of the netbook, and now we can look forward to even more travel friendly innovations with the tablet. But the best part is that we’ll have choice – we’ll be able to pick devices with a 5″ screen, or a larger 10″ device. Apple fans can stick to iOS and Android users will have a whole assortment of choices. Even corporate users who cling to their Blackberry will find something soothing.

While manufacturers battle each other, those of us in need of something portable that travels well,may have already won.

[Image credit: Getty]

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Five fantastic travel friendly iPad apps

by Scott Carmichael on

The iPad has been out for over a month, and it already has a decent lineup of travel friendly applications. Of course, the iPad can still run the 200,000 apps designed for the iPhone, but to take full advantage of its large screen, you’ll want to stick to apps specifically designed for the iPad.

We’ve picked the five best looking apps available for the iPad right now, and best of all – these five apps are all under ten bucks.
1. FlightTrack Pro

What happens when you take one of the best selling iPhone travel apps, and update it for the iPad? Well, you get FlightTrack Pro for the iPad. FlightTrack Pro integrates with TripIt, allowing for easy itinerary imports and trip management.

In FlightTrack Pro, you can track the exact location of a flight, check for delays and even look up the weather at your airport. Best of all, if you are on a flight with Wi-Fi from Gogo Inflight, you can use your iPad as a replacement for the boring Airshow screens. To make a great app even better, if you have a 3G iPad or manage to find Wi-Fi on the road, FlightTrack Pro will keep you updated with information on departure gates, delays, arrival gates and more.

iTunes app store link: FlightTrack Pro
Price: $9.99

2. Kayak

Car rentals, hotels and cheap flights all in one app – that describes Kayak. The app provides easy access to the awesome multi-airline flight search system that made Kayak famous. On a single screen, you can see past searches, hotel deals and airline search options.

iTunes app store link: Kayak for iPad
Price: free

3. Couch Traveler HD Earth Explorer

Got a week where you are stuck at home? How about traveling the world from the comfort of your sofa and iPad? Couch Traveler is a really well designed app that harnesses the power of Google maps and aerial images to provide a fun way of sightseeing. It works just as well at home as on the road if you are looking for something to see.

iTunes app store link: Couch Traveler HD
Price: $1.99 (introductory price)

4. UpNext 3D cities

When Google maps are not enough, you should check out UpNext. The app currently covers Austin, Washington D.C., Boston, San Francisco and New York. Once a city has been downloaded, you have access to maps with 3D buildings – along with a powerful search system.

Need somewhere to eat? Browse the categories and navigate using the well designed 3D maps.

iTunes app store link: UpNext 3D cities
Price: free

5. PointInside for malls

We recently took the iPhone version of Point Inside for a spin – and the company behind this mall mapping app managed to be one of the first to make it onto the iPad with a dedicated new version.

As a reminder – Point Inside is a mapping and search app for shopping malls. Found yourself in a mall you’ve never visited? Use this app to find what you are looking for. The app also offers quick search access to things like restrooms, ATM’s and food.

iTunes app store link: Point Inside
Price: free