You don't go anywhere without your smartphone — it's your one go-to gadget that helps keep you organized, entertained and in touch with those who matter.
Even though it's already like a smart, multi-functional Swiss Army Knife, you can get even more out of your beloved mobile device by picking up a clever accessory or two.
Oh sure, you're well aware of protective cases and designer headphones, but there are many other clever add-ons that can help expand the functionality of your phone (or tablet, for that matter).
Look no further than the following for a handful of worthy — and lesser-known — suggestions, which also make for ideal gifts over the holiday season.
• Have a seat
You enjoy taking a load off, so why shouldn't your smartphone? A quirky gift idea for a music lover is the aptly named Phoniture ($99.00), a colorful charging station and Bluetooth speaker set designed to look like an armchair with matching ottoman. Drop your smartphone into the seat (vertically or horizontally) and plug your charging cable into the USB port on the back; the chair is then plugged into an AC outlet to juice up your phone. The chair also illuminates a soft, white nightlight, which you can turn off, if desired. The ottoman — er, wireless speaker — has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 3.5 hours, plus it includes an integrated microphone in case a call comes in, and a 3.5mm jack for non-Bluetooth devices. This two-piece Phoniture set is available in red, blue or black.
• Tiny tech
Have you been reluctant to wear a Bluetooth headset because of the size of the device sticking out of your ear? If so, you might be keen on trying the Moto Hint ($149.99), a new Bluetooth headset that's only slightly larger than the device Joaquin Phoenix wore in the movie Her. Along with its teeny size (measuring just 0.95 by 0.70 by 0.74 inches), it'll also conveniently turn on when you pop it into your ear, so you can take calls hands-free, and it turns off when you take it out. Actually, you can keep the Moto Hint in your ear as it offers "pass-through audio," which means you can still hear the world around you. Compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, the Moto Hint, between its main battery and an extra one integrated into the carrying case, offers up to 10 hours of use, and up to 100 hours on standby.
• You drive
While "Network Attached Storage" (NAS) might be one of the geekiest category names of hard-drive products, it does offer many clear benefits to digital packrats who like to download tons of TV shows, movies, podcasts, music, photos and more. The Seagate Central (from $149 for 2-terabytes) joins your home's network, and not only does it automatically backup your PC or Mac's files for you (and even download Facebook photos and videos), but it lets you share content to multiple devices in, around and even outside of your home — from laptops to phones to tablets and game consoles to Smart TVs.
• Button up
Are you getting thumb cramps while typing long e-mails or documents on a small smartphone or tablet screen? The Microsoft Universal Mobile Keyboard ($79.95) is a small, lightweight and wireless keyboard that works seamlessly with a number of mobile devices, including iPhone and iPad, Android and Windows tablets — and it can be paired with up to three devices with the flick of a switch. A detachable keyboard cover converts into a stand to prop up your phone or tablet, while the integrated rechargeable battery provides up to six months of usage on a single charge, says the company.
• Power play
Consider it the granddaddy of all portable battery chargers: RAVPower Xtreme ($99.99) is a 23,000 milliamp (mAh) backup battery, which has enough juice to charge an iPhone a dozen times, as well as tablets and even laptops multiple times over. In fact, you can charge three different devices at the same time. A small screen shows you information, such as when it's time to plug in the RAVPower Xtreme to top off its charge. Included with the paperback-sized battery are connectors for many different kinds of devices, along with a carrying case. Say goodbye to your "wall hugging" days.
• Just face it
Chances are you have photos and videos on multiple devices. Because your memories might not be stored in one place, it could prove difficult to find something in particular. This is where LyveHome comes in. This $299 gadget helps to aggregate, back up, manage and view your entire photo and video collections — and on any device. Consider LyveHome (rhymes with "hive") a 3-in-1 product: It's a cloud service for all your photos and videos; an app for your mobile devices and computers (PC and Mac); and a 2-terabyte hard drive with a 5-inch screen in which to see your memories displayed like a photo frame, say, on your office desk or kitchen counter.
• Tasty IoT
Everyone loves cookies, right? Now they can help simplify life for everyone in the household. Wait, what? The first members of the Sense.se's "Mother" family, Cookies are small sensors you can place on any number of objects, such as one in your pocket that counts your steps (and calories burned), another in a child's backpack so you're notified when he or she gets home safely and a third in a baby's nursery to monitor room temperature. As with other "Internet of Things" (IoT) platforms, these small devices monitor activity and send notifications to your smartphone. Up to 24 Cookies can be connected simultaneously to their Internet-connected Mother — a small, white doll-like overseer of your connected life. A starter kit costs $299 for one Mother and a box of 4 Cookies.
Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. E-mail him attechcomments@usatoday.com.
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