An item from my gift list (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2008/11/sgl-more-for-iphone.html) has gotten some blog love from a couple of blog friends recently. Jezlyn at Late to the Party (http://jezlyn.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/the-office-calendar-close-up-2/) has posted photos of her cool The Office (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_(U.S._TV_series)) calendar, while Warner Crocker has before and after shots at GottaBeMobile.com (http://www.gottabemobile.com/2008/12/06/griffin-clarifi-case-for-iphone-provides-some-clarity/) demonstrating the Griffin Clarifi (http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS484VC/A?n=iphone2&fnode=MTY1NDA0NA&mco=MjQyMDM0NA&s=topSellers) case for the iPhone. The clarity it adds to close-up photos taken with the iPhone is very impressive. I'm quite pleased to have it on my gift list (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/search/label/gift%20list). [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
I've covered useful and critical accessories for the iPhone on my gift lists (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/search/label/gift%20list). Now it's time for frivolity.
Griffin Clarifi: (http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS484VC/A?n=iphone2&fnode=MTY1NDA0NA&mco=MjQyMDM0NA&s=topSellers) A case is a fairly useful item, but the Clarifi goes the extra mile and provides a close-up focus lens for the camera. Very useful for the close-up shots I take.
Apple iPhone Bluetooth Headset: (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB536LL/A?mco=MTIyNzA) I'm not big on the Borg look, but if I was I'd go with Apple's iPhone headset. I like the in-ear design, and the charging cable doubles as a dock connector so there's no need to carry multiple cables.
Scosche PassPORT adapter: (http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS696LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0MQ&mco=MjE1MDc5OQ) Since Apple limited the iPhone 3G to USB charging only, most older accessories can't charge it. This adapter fixes that for most accessories that use the dock connection. Good for anyone with a bunch of old iPod accessories.
Apple TV: (http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/apple_tv?mco=MTE2NTk) Not specifically an iPhone accessory, but part of the iTunes ecosystem that extends your media library to your TV or stereo. The iPhone comes in courtesy of the Remote App, which can control an Apple TV. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Some gifts are so mundane that they go the other way and become unusual. Or maybe not. I don't know, but these are some fun gadgets I like.
BluAlert Bluetooth Bracelet: (http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/9e31/) If you know someone who likes bracelets and never seems to know when their phone is ringing, this might be the gift for them. It also has a proximity alarm for folks whose phones tend to wander.
Titanium spork: (http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/8ace/) A dual function eating utensil forged from titanium. I'd carry this in my pack and use it anytime I'd have to otherwise use plastic utensils, including at work.
Pogo iPhone Stylus: (http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/a31f/) Finger control on the iPhone is exceedingly good, but I am, as you can clearly see, a hopeless pen fanatic. If I had pen that worked on the iPhone, I'd be scribbling away.
ThinkGeek Bluetooth Retro Handset: (http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/8928/) Tiny headsets that fit in your ear are so 21st century. Oh wait, that's this century. I guess that's why this big-ass handset is called retro. Anyway, the idea of a set that can reach my ear and mouth at the same time is strangely appealing. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Since I've already listed some iPhone add-ons I don't have, I should probably mention the add-ons I do have. These are the items I felt were too important to go without.
iTunes gift card: (http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/giftcards/itunes/gallery) To take advantage of all the iPhone can do, you need to download a few apps and a few of those cost money. So I bought a gift card from Costco at a 5% discount and established an app allowance. Still have a bit left, but I could always use a little more.
InvisibleSHIELD: (http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield/apple-iphone-3g-cases-screen-protectors-covers-skins-shields.php) To keep from worrying about scratching my iPhone, I wrapped mine in Zagg's super-tough skin. It bubbles a bit at the curved edges, but otherwise, it's unnoticeable and works as advertised. Best screen protector I could ask for.
DLO Strapwrap: (http://www.dlo.com/Products/strapwrap_Prod.tpl?command=showpage&cart=1217466365216466) Had my eye on this during my iPhone planning then saw it on clearance at Best Buy. It secures to my pack strap or belt tightly. iPhone slides in and out easily but the fit is snug. It's simple, it's versatile, and it looks good on my sling pack. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
I use a touchscreen, accelerometer, and digital pen in addition to a keyboard and mouse. Obviously I'm pretty big on alternate forms of input. Here are a few more of interest:
Griffin Powermate: (http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/5ca2/) Basically a big programmable dial. I'd use it at the desk for volume control, but it can also handle all sorts of scrolling tasks from documents to audio to video.
Pro Gamer Command Pad: (http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/8d12/) Designed for gaming, this peripheral is loaded with programmable buttons and directional thumb control. I would use it at my desk with pen in right hand and left hand on the pad tapping keys I lose in tablet mode, panning pages, and punching numbers.
Fragpedal Deluxe: (http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/8e46/) Another device designed for gaming. This one gives your feet something to do. Not really sure what I'd do with it other than taking the burden of tapping mouse buttons off my fingers, but that's enough considering how sore my mouse fingers get.
SpaceNavigator: (https://3dconnexionstore.com/itemDetail.asp?itmNo=56826423N) I found this one just today. Looks like another knob, but it can be pushed, pulled, and tilted to navigate 3D environments from animation apps to Google Earth. I'd probably just use it for Google Earth.
Wacom Graphite Bluetooth Tablet: (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009DG7KK?ie=UTF8&tag=sumosscri-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0009DG7KK) Yes, I already have pen input built in to my computer, but this will give me pen input when I have my Tablet PC connected to the TV and I'm kicking back on the couch. It'd be like a remote control for my tablet. Also, I could use it at work to add pen input to my desktop. Ah, how blissful that would be. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Digital pens are as vulnerable to loss or damage as normal pens. Thus, a spare pen is a good addition to any Tablet PC user's arsenal.
Until a few months ago, I was using a Wacom eraser pen like the stock Sahara tablet pen (http://www.alltp.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=225&idaffiliate=14), as my primary stylus, keeping my stock Toshiba pen (http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/adet.to?seg=HHO&poid=424396) in its garage for back-up. Unfortunately, its side button broke, making it tricky to get right-click to work. So now it is my back-up while my stock pen is my primary.
Because most Tablet PCs use Wacom digitizers, their pens will work on other tablets using Wacom's "penabled" standard (http://www.wacom.com/tabletpc/what_is_penabled.cfm). For example, I've had my eye on the Lenovo ThinkPad pen (http://www.alltp.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1182&idaffiliate=14) as my new primary after reading favorable reviews on it.
That said, there are several Tablet PCs out there that use other digitizers. N-Trig is the hot new player supplying the touch + pen digitizers for the Dell XT, HP tx2, and Motion LE1700. If you have any doubts about which pen someone can use, the best bet is to match the tablet model and get a direct replacement. This also ensures the spare will fit in the Tablet's pen garage if need be. Actually, the absolutely best way to get someone the right pen is for them to tell you exactly what they want and provide links, but who would do that? [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
