iPhone and iPad owner's gift guide
Introduction
There's such a huge and flourishing ecosystem that's grown up around iPhone and iPads that there is no shortage of gifts that you can by someone who owns one of these devices – or treat yourself to!
Here's a tour of some great iPhone and iPad accessories that would make awesome gifts over the holidays. Discover cases, home automation devices, toys, health devices, portable power and storage, see in the dark, and much more!
Have I missed out your favorite iPhone or iPad accessory? If I have drop me a note in the comments below to let me know!
Cases
There's an entire ocean of cases out there for iPhones and iPads, ranging from chic and stylish to utilitarian, and there's no way that I can choose the one case that will suit everyone. Some people like a case that protects their investment when they are out and about, while others like their hardware to be an expression of themselves. Some like rugged cases, others prefer a more minimalist approach.
There is no such thing as one case to rule them all, and finding one either means knowing the person you are giving one too well, or asking them to be part of the picking process. But one thing is for sure, there's a case out there for everyone!
(Image: Karbon)
Home charging
While the charger that Apple ships with the iPhone or iPad is not bad at all, it can get a bit cumbersome to use separate chargers if you have multiple devices that need charging. This is why I prefer something like the Yubi Power 8-port universal charging station with built-in surge and overload protection.
Not enough ports on that for you? Fear not, because there is also a 16-port, 32-port, or even 40-port version.
If you want something smaller or more restrained there also the Anker 40W 5 port desktop charger is ideal.
(Image: Anker)
Car charging
For road warriors, having USB ports they can charge their iPhone and iPad from is a must, but not all in-car chargers are built alike. I've tried dozens that have literally either not worked right out of the box, or which have died after only a few weeks of use.
Two items that have withstood the test of time for me are the Griffin PowerJolt Dual and the Just Mobile Highway Max. Both of these have withstood long-term usage.
(Image: Just Mobile)
Portable battery pack
Sometimes you're nowhere near a power outlet or a car but still need to keep your iPhone and iPad charged up. This is where battery packs come into play. A few years ago there were only a few players in this field, but as smartphones and tablets have increased in popularity, so has the need for devices to keep them charged up when out and about.
I'm a huge fan of the Anker range because there's a battery pack for everyone, from a tiny pack that you can put in a pocket and forget about like the Anker Astro Mini 3200mAh to the massive Anker Astro E7 25600mAh.
(Image: Anker)
Portable speakers
This is another massive market, including devices ranging from small (and cheap) speakers such as the Jam Classic to something more expensive such as the Beats Pill to speakers that will satisfy the most highly tuned ear, such as the Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A2 (which is pushing the definition of portable).
(Image: Beats)
Home automation
Here is an area that has exploded over the past year or so, allowing you to do so much from your iPhone or iPad. Here are just a few things you can do:
- Know when to water your plants
(Image: iBaby)
Toys
Sometimes you want a bit more fun with your iPhone or iPad than Angry Birds can delivery, and that's when toys come into play. Whether you want to have fun on land, sea, or air, you're covered! You don't even have to allow darkness to get in the way of your fun!
(Image: Parrot)
Fitness and sport
While fitness and sport are far from most people's minds over the holidays, come the new year people get the desire to shed some of that winter fat and get ready for the summer. Whether you want steps or distance logged, an eye kept on heartrate and blood oxygen, golfing analysed, baseball swings mapped, or even to do some cycle training, it's all possible with an iPhone or iPad.
(Image: Kickr)
Health
Give someone a healthier New Year by allowing him or her to be able to keep an eye on weight and body fat, blood pressure, or sleep, with all that information being beamed to his or her iPhone or iPad.
(Image: ResMed)
More storage space
Gigabytes might be cheap when it comes to hard drives, but for iPhone and iPad owners, wanting more space than the base 16GB means paying a premium price. But fear not! It is possible to add more storage space, either by direct connection or wirelessly. Ideal for those who want to take photos, video or documents with them when they are on the road.
(Image: SanDisk)
Repair tools
Know someone with a broken iPhone or iPad? Give them the ability to fix their device by getting them the right tools or parts.
(Image: iFixit)
