The Week in iOS Accessories: Feel the power

31.10.2012
This weeks roundup of iOS accessories offers better ways to write on, power up, or type when using your iPhone or iPad.

The $99 is a 4G hotspot that gives your iPhone touch access to cellular signalspermitting voice calls and data downloads even when youre not in range of Wi-Fi. Users are required to purchase a minimum of 500MBs of data access each month; the device itself offers six hours of battery life. (See for a demonstration.) The company promises no contracts are involved.

: The $299 converts your iPhone into the centerpiece of an office-based calling system. The system powers your iOS device while its docked; the handset lets you take and make phone calls comfortably from your desk. (You can also play music over the AudiOffices speakers.) The system uses the legacy 30-pin dock connector, rather than the iPhone 5s Lightning connector, so it cant recharge that phone but it can otherwise be paired with the device via Bluetooth.

: The $80 is a small dock that plugs into your MacBooks USB port and offers cable-free charging and syncing for your iOS device (or, at least, older devices with a 30-pin dock connectoryoull need a Lightning adapter for newer devices). The KwikDock is pitched at business travelers who want to cut down on the number of cables they have to bring on trips.

: The company now offers white versions of its $60 , $80 , $100 initially exclusively at the online Apple Store. The first charges just the iPhone or iPod; the second can handle either the iPhone or an iPad; and the third can charge both your phone and tablet at the same time. The company says the new white models will be available in brick-and-mortar Apple Stores starting October 31.

The $25 from More/Real let you turn any pen into a stylus for your iOS touchscreen: Just cap your Sharpie with the tip and youre ready to start writing or drawing on the screen. Whats more, you still have the Sharpie itself available for paper writing and note-taking if need be. Replacement tips for the Stylus Caps cost $6 apiece.

: Fall is here! Time to keep your hands warm. Holland-based Mujjo can help you do that while still letting you use your iPhone or iPads touchscreen with its line of ¬25 . They come in gray, sandstone, lavender, and coral pink and are built for comfort and warmth. The gloves use special capacitative-fabric tips that let you use the touchscreen on your iOS device. The gloves will begin shipping on November 12.

: If you need to charge and see your iPhone and iPad at the same time, the $80 lets you show both devices side-by-side. The twin 30-pin dock-connector cradles obviously arent made for the Lightning connector of the iPhone 5 and the latest iPads, but you can charge those devices using one of Apples 30-pin-to-Lightning adapters. A couple of hidden USB ports let you charge two additional devices.

: The $19 features a 30-pin connector on one end of the cable and your choice of a USB or micro-USB connector on the other end. So many options! Just one cable!

: The iPhone 5 battery case snaps onto your phone and doubles its battery life. The case comes in a variety of colors and purports to be eco-friendly because the battery portion of the device can be swapped between cases, enabling the battery itself to last through several phone upgrades. Pricing and shipping information for the Ecopak, however, are unavailable.

: This accessory maker has a pair of new Bluetooth-enabled keyboard cases to accompany the iPad mini: the $90 and (pictured at the top of this article) the $90 the latter offering a few more keyboard options. The company is also offering the $30 and $50 cases for the new, smaller tablet. Zagg has not yet announced shipping dated for any of the products.