The Apple Watch is almost here. So this week’s roundup of accessories includes a few new wrist-based items that you won’t want to live without. Plus, the usual speakers, batteries, and more.
The $45 Twist World Travel Adapter is “an ultra-portable universal adapter” with four USB ports, designed to plug into wall sockets in 150 countries around the world: You’ll be able to charge your iPhone and iPad almost anywhere you choose to travel. Drop an additional $5, and you can buy the MacBook-compatible version.
Let the parade of Apple Watch accessories begin! The $119 Timeless Moment is a docking station of sorts for your watch: A premium leather arch that displays your new device while letting it power up, the cables tucked safely from view. No word on shipping yet, but sales start March 21.
Another Apple Watch accessory: Click isn’t on the market quite yet—it’s planned as a Kickstarter project—but it is very simple: It adapts most 24mm watch bands for use with the Apple Watch. Just one more way to expand your style options with the new device.
The $45 Sun King Pro is a solar-charged camping lantern that also works as a backup battery for your iPhone; it has dual USB ports for charging purposes, but can also provide light up to 15 times brighter than a typical kerosene lamp.
The $25 iPhone Bluetooth Selfie Remote is a wireless remote to help you take the best photos of yourself with your phone’s camera: You can take photos from up to 90 feet away. In addition to the remote trigger, your purchase also obtains a foldable stand—making sure your iPhone is properly positioned when you do take that selfie.
Kensington’s new USB Mobile Chargers come in two varieties—the $50 version with the 10,400-mAh backup battery (enough to power up the iPhone 6 Plus two-and-a-half times) or a $40 version with half the power storage. It comes with a silver finish to sleekly accessorize all of your iOS devices.
We’ll let the makers of the $40 Boombox explain: “Place your phone or device onto the speaker and the sound will instantly amplify. No wires or pairing needed! This wireless speaker is perfect for outdoor entertaining or as a travel speaker with the built-in rechargeable battery lasting a whopping 10 hours per charge!” Passive amplification, active recharging. That’s a handy combination.
Here’s another Apple Watch accessory—but the $249 Reserve Strap is so far little more than a gleam in its developer’s eye. It’s designed to augment the watch’s battery life by letting you carry the backup battery on your wrist as well, in the form of the strap holding the Apple Watch tight to your body. Despite being so early in the process, the company is already taking pre-orders.
Finally, an Apple Watch accessory that’s close to being reality. The $17 WatchPad is a… pad. For your watch. A place for your watch to sit, comfortably and scratch-free, when it’s not on your wrist. Any questions?
Author: Joel Mathis
Joel Mathis is a regular contributor to Macworld and TechHive. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and young son.