Archive for June, 2008

You know, the iPhone is useful for more things than just making phone calls. You can surf the internet, play music, play games, and if you go online you’ll find thousands of other useful applications that you can download onto your iPhone. But you know what the one glaring absence from the iPhone is?

No, not 3G, smart-alec. Besides, Apple is fixing that in the new iPhone. I’m talking about a quality FM tuner. After all, while we love our mp3 and CD players, sometimes you just want to listen to a good, old fashioned radio station. Well, now you can with the iPhone FM Transmitter (with car charger).

The iPhone FM Transmitter plugs into the bottom of your iPhone, and essentially turns it into a makeshift FM radio. The unit itself generates a powerful, clean signal that will let you listen to your favorite radio programs, no matter how far you are from your car. Maybe, for example, you’re somebody who loves to listen to one of the many morning shows, but you work early in the morning and can’t get to a radio. Well, you plug this little device into the bottom of your iPhone, plug in a pair of earphones, and you’re ready to go.

The iPhone FM Transmitter also comes with a car charger, although I’m not sure what you’ll use it for. If you don’t already have an iPhone car adapter, however, it’s a good deal.

So, how much for the FM Transmitter and Car Charger? Only £19.99. If you love the radio, then this is the perfect device for you.

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Are you one of those people who spends a good chunk of their time on the road? Nobody can blame you. Between commuting back and forth to work each day, going out with friends, picking the kids up, you probably spend more time in your car than you do your garden. However, that’s no excuse to be talking on the phone while you’re driving. Thankfully, Jabra is here to help with the Jabra SP5050 Speakerphone.

One of the most common complaints from iPhone users is that, even with the volume turned all the way up, sometimes the volume can be too quiet. While some people have gone to poking extra holes in the speaker with a needle, the wiser decision (that also won’t void your warranty) is to find a quality speakerphone, and that’s exactly what Jabra has delivered with the SP5050. The speakerphone uses a bluetooth connection, so you won’t have to worry about attaching the speaker to the phone itself, and the autopairing feature of the speakerphone make it ultra easy to establish a connection with your iPhone. When not in use, the speakerphone will preserve its battery life by shutting itself off after fifteen minutes. The clip on the back allows for you to slide the speakerphone onto your sun visor.

Now, the speakerphone isn’t the cheapest accessory for the iPhone, with it’s £49.95 price at most dealers. However, for anybody who’s frequently on the go, the Jabra SP5050 will do more than simply keep both hands free — it may actually save your license.

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Hey.

H E Y!

Don’t throw your old iPhone out just because Apple announced the new, G3 version of the iPhone. First of all, there’s always a bit of nostalgic value to owning an older model phone. Secondly, the 3G won’t be out for a little while yet so if you toss your current phone you’re out of luck. However, while you wait for the new 3G, start looking for some accessories to help the phone’s functionality.

For instance, at the Apple Store for a mere £19.00, you can pick yourself up the Apple Stereo Headset with Microphone. Now, why would you want to pick up a wired headset when you could just as easily pick up a Bluetooth headset? Well, for starters, a lot of the bluetooth headsets are uncomfortable to wear. Other times, as is the case with Apple’s own iPhone Bluetooth headset, they provide poor quality voice reception on the far end. In short, you can hear them just fine, but they can’t make out a word you say.

The advantage with the Apple Stereo Headset with Mic is that you have an ear piece in either ear, assuring you’re hearing the person on the other end of the phone just fine. Also, the microphone provides voice quality that is surprisingly crisp for the price. However, since this is only £19.00, there are a couple of setbacks. For example, a couple of people have complained about the quality of the actual earpieces, with a few saying that they can fall apart. This appears to be a minor problem, though, and most reviews have been generally favorable.

So where can you pick this headset up? Well, consider yourself lucky since you don’t have to leave the comfort of your computer chair. All you have to do is go to the Apple Store (U.K., of course) and lay down the £19, plus shipping.

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It was certain to happen at some point in time. Your iPhone battery dies in the middle of a call. Whether you were just too busy to charge it before you left or you didn’t expect your battery to be so low, it’s a hassle either way. Are you out of luck? Not if you were fortunate enough to invest in the one iPhone accessory you can’t afford to be without – your emergency charger kit. Made to work with virtually any vehicle on the market today, you can be assured of the power you need when you need it with this purchase.

Use any twelve volt accessory outlet in your vehicle, and you can not only charge your phone as you head towards your destination, you can also use the charger to power your phone to make calls while you’re en route. Ideally, you’ll make this iPhone accessory purchase as you’re buying the phone itself, but if you’ve already had it for a few months, you can still make the purchase. In fact, at a very affordable £9.99, you may want to invest in one for each of your vehicles.

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