There’s supposedly an app for everything these days, but what about the hobbies and necessities that require hardware, instead of software? You can turn your phone into just about anything with the most useful smartphone accessories, and most of them are travel friendly, easy to use, and connect right to your phone or device (regardless of which side you take on the age-old Google versus Apple debate). These helpful gadgets actually mean smartphone accessories can make your life easier.
With the recent release of Niantic’s Pokemon Go, I’m more connected to my iPhone than ever, and yesterday I found myself doing something I promised I would never do — walking down the sidewalk on a beautiful summer afternoon with my face buried in a screen. The more technology advances, however, the harder it becomes to resist that urge.
People use their phones for just about everything — flashlights, cameras, calculators, navigation systems, email — and while some people argue that our generation is definitely headed to hell in a hand basket, it’s not without its advantages. Cool cell phone accessories that turn your phone into anything means that you can travel lighter and do everything a little more conveniently. Check out these awesome and affordable smart phone gadgets that make your phone even smarter, no matter what you use it for.
1. A Professional Camera
XENVO Premium Camera Smart Phone Lens Kit, $33, Amazon
Smartphone cameras get better and better, but they’re not quite professional grade — until now. This XENVO premium camera smart phone lens kit clips onto any phone to give you stunning and razor crisp pictures and a great zoom. It easily connects to your phone using a padded clip, and this one also comes with a rechargeable LED light for darker scenes.
2. A Way To Stay Cool
Pandawell iPhone Fan, $5, Amazon
This Pandawell iPhone fan turns your phone into a quick and easy fan, wherever you happen to be. It’s ideal for the iPhone 6, comes in six different colors, and has a soft, safe, and effective wing that gives you a fresh breeze during your commute or while you’re working.
3. A Gaming System
Mad Catz Mobile Gamepad, $48, Amazon
If you’re a gamer, this Mad Catz mobile gamepad lets you turn your iPhone (several different generations) into an interactive controller. It’s got multiplayer support, a really long battery life, a travel-friendly design, and can connect to a larger screen with the right HDMI adaptors. Just download the accompanying app and play your favorite games on the go.
4. A Printer
Fujifilm Instax Share Smartphone Printer, $143, Amazon
For all those photos cramming up your phone’s hard drive (I know, you’ll “get around to uploading them”), there’s this epic Fujifilm Instax smartphone printer. Using wifi, it prints any and all pictures straight from your smart phone or tablet with cute templates and the ability to add text. It combines the retro feel of polaroids with modern convenience, and reviewers are loving it.
5. A Great Sound System
Inateck Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker, $26, Amazon
This number one best seller, the Inateck portable wireless bluetooth speaker, packs a lot of punch for its size. It plays all of your music in crystal clear high definition sound, and it hooks up to any device that has Bluetooth capabilities. Reviewers love it because it’s loud, clear, and has a built-in microphone for hands free phone calls.
6. A Steady Tripod Camera
Glif Adjustable Tripod Mount, $30, Amazon
Another gadget for the photographers out there, this Glif adjustable tripod mount is one of the best available when it comes to smart phones, as it fits just about any model and adheres to any tripod. It’s ideal for taking still photos and videos, and just might be your best friend when the full-family Thanksgiving photograph rolls around. Maybe the rolls won’t even get cold this year.
7. A Guitar Interface
For all those musicians out there, this iRig allows you to input the sound from your guitar, bass, or line instrument straight into your phone or device. You can tune, record, practice with headphones, or send your sound to an external amplifier without an adaptor, and reviewers have called it an essential “gateway into digital music.”
8. A Magnifier
Microscope Magnifier, $7, Amazon
Gemstone enthusiasts, entomologists, and avid Where’s Waldo readers – this one’s for you. The microscope magnifier lets you use your phone to zoom in on anything, quickly and easily, using a 30 times magnification. It attaches to anything that’s got a camera and has less than a 12 mm thickness, and it’s also got a built-in LED light for clearer viewing.
9. A Credit Card Reader
Square Credit Card Reader, $5, Amazon
This number one best-selling square credit card reader allows you to accept credit card payments for your home business or small store. It takes any card (including American Express) without a connection, and can send receipts and allow for signatures right on the screen. The accompanying app also has functions for invoices, inventory, taxes, sales reports, and orders.
10. An Essential Survival Tool
TeckNet Power Bank, $21, Amazon
The TeckNet power bank holds up to 30 hours of charging time for your smartphone or tablet, which is ideal for camping, hiking, or road trips. It’s also got a built-in LED light and compass, and is entirely waterproof, dust-proof, and shock-proof, making it one of the best survival gadgets out there for someone who needs to stay connected.
11. A Travel-Friendly Projector
Mengshen Mini Pocket LCD Projector, $56, Amazon
To blow your favorite corgi GIFs up on the nearest wall, there’s this Mengshen mini pocket LCD projector. It easily connected to any phone or notebook (or Xbox, PC, or USB) to give you a high-resolution picture anywhere you happen to be. It comes with built-in speakers and fits right in the palm of your hand for portable use.
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Images: Unsplash/Pixabay; Amazon (11)
